Tigers vs Cavaliers Pick – NCAA Tournament
If you read my preview of Coastal Carolina vs. Virginia, or any Virginia game really, you know I am not a big fan of the Cavs. The final score from their opener against the Chanticleers is more flattering than the game which was in doubt until the final 6 or 7 minutes despite the discrepancy in the seeding. [ad-4468020]
2014 NCAA Tournament Free Picks
East Region – Round 3
#1 Virginia Cavaliers vs. #8 Memphis Tigers
Sunday March 23
PNC Arena – Raleigh, NC
8:40PM
Moneyline: No moneyline currently posted
Spread: Virginia -6
Total: 127
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ATS Matchup Insight | CP Insider Gambling Preview
Virginia
This result only fueled my thoughts more that Virginia is not #1 seed material. This might be the game they are eliminated.
The Cavs may have found a secret weapon in the sweet shooting of reserve forward Evan Nolte. After being pretty much a non-factor during the season he came off the bench to score 8 points including hitting 2 big three pointers as the Cavaliers pulled away. This Virginia team will take offense any way they can get it.
Nolte and fellow reserve Anthony Gill scored 25 big points off the bench, without them it might have been a historical loss for UVA.
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I am not sold on UVA and thus will probably say fade them in any remaining tournament games. So far that strategy is 1 for 1 and in this case I think they are just plain ripe for the upset. Talent is not always everything but they are not the more talented team in this matchup. If they don’t play a better first half they will be too far behind to catch up.
Memphis
The Tigers won a pretty competitive round of 64 game against George Washington to start their tournament. In looking at the numbers little stands out about the game though I think that Memphis might have been underseeded in a general way.
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The Tigers are a talented but frustrating team.
If they can get their mojo going though there is no team they can not beat. I like them as a sleeper.
Speaking of sleepers I have been waiting for G Michael Dixon to wake up and start taking over more and it looks like he may have finally taken my advice. Against the Colonials he was the Tigers’ leading scorer with 19 points. Fellow guard Chris Crawford had a tough day at the office and they are going to need him to be sharper to keep winning.
Inside Shaq Goodwin scored just 8 points but was perfect from the field. What more can you ask from that guy.
This is a great draw for Memphis. Virginia is disciplined but ultimately the speed of Memphis and their ability to score from a number of spots on the floor will lead them to victory.
I am looking for Dixon to have another sharp game and the athleticism of Goodwin and Austin Nichols to dominate up front on the way to the upset.
Spread prediction: Memphis +6
Total prediction: Over
Score prediction: Memphis 75 – Virginia 67
