Virginia vs Furman Prediction, March Madness

Odds

2022-2023 season stats

Preview

The Men's Basketball Championship in the South Region is heating up, and the first-round matchup between Virginia and Furman is set to be an exciting one. Virginia comes into the game as the 4th seed, while Furman is seeded 13th. Both teams have had impressive seasons, but only one will advance to the next round. In this article, we will provide an extended preview of both teams, including their strengths, weaknesses, key players, and a final prediction.

Furman Paladins

The Furman Paladins had a fantastic season, finishing 27-7 overall and 15-3 in the Southern Conference. They were one of the top offensive teams in the country, averaging 79.4 points per game. However, their defense was not as strong, allowing 72.5 points per game.

Strengths:

Offense: Furman's offense is their biggest strength. They are a high-scoring team that can put up points in a hurry. They shoot the ball well from beyond the arc, averaging 9.8 three-pointers per game, and they have multiple players who can score from anywhere on the court.

Rebounding: Furman is a solid rebounding team, averaging 36.3 rebounds per game. They have some solid rebounders on their roster, including forward Jalen Slawson, who averages 7.1 rebounds per game.

Weaknesses:

Defense: Furman's defense is their biggest weakness. They have struggled to stop opposing teams from scoring, and they have allowed over 80 points in several games this season. Against a Virginia team that struggles to score, Furman's defense will be put to the test. They will need to find a way to slow down Virginia's offense if they want to have a chance at winning the game.

Experience: While Furman has some talented players, they lack the experience that Virginia has. They only have two seniors on their roster, and none of their players have played in the NCAA tournament before. This lack of experience could hurt them in a high-pressure game like this one.

Key Players:

Mike Bothwell: Bothwell is Furman's leading scorer, averaging 18.0 points per game. He is a versatile player who can score from anywhere on the court, and he is a threat from beyond the arc. Bothwell will need to have a big game if Furman wants to pull off the upset.

Jalen Slawson: Slawson is Furman's leading rebounder, averaging 7.1 rebounds per game. He is a physical player who can dominate the glass, and he is also a solid scorer, averaging 12.8 points per game. Slawson will need to have a big game on both ends of the court if Furman wants to compete with Virginia.

Virginia Cavaliers

The Virginia Cavaliers had an impressive season, finishing 25-7 overall and 15-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). They were one of the top defensive teams in the country, allowing just 57.6 points per game. However, their offense struggled at times, averaging just 68.9 points per game, which ranked 278th in the country.

Strengths:

Defense: As mentioned earlier, Virginia's defense is their biggest strength. They are tough and physical, and they make it difficult for opposing teams to score. They have a solid rim protector in Jayden Gardner, who averages 2.0 blocks per game, and they are great at forcing turnovers, averaging 8.3 steals per game.

Experience: Virginia has a lot of experience on their roster, which could give them an edge over Furman. They have several seniors who have been through the rigors of March Madness before, including guard Kihei Clark and forward Jayden Gardner.

Weaknesses:

Offense: Virginia's offense is their biggest weakness. While they have some talented players, they struggle to score consistently, and they rely heavily on their defense to win games. If their offense is not clicking, they could be in trouble against a Furman team that can score in bunches.

Rebounding: Virginia has struggled with rebounding at times this season, and this could be a weakness against a Furman team that has some solid rebounders. If they are unable to secure rebounds and second-chance points, it could be a long game for the Cavaliers.

Key Players:

Kihei Clark: Clark is Virginia's starting point guard, and he is one of the team's most important players. He averages 11.6 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, and he is a solid floor general who can get his teammates involved.

Jayden Gardner: Gardner is a transfer from East Carolina, and he has been a key addition to Virginia's roster. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 12.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

BETTING TRENDS

Furman are 14-5 ATS in their last 19 games.

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Furman's last 9 games.

Furman are 6-0 SU in their last 6 games.

Furman are 1-13 SU in their last 14 games against an opponent in the Atlantic Coast conference.

Furman are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games played in March.

Virginia are 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Virginia's last 9 games.

Virginia are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.

Virginia are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games against an opponent in the Southern conference.

Prediction

Virginia's defense is one of the best in the country, and they should be able to slow down Furman's high-scoring offense. Additionally, Virginia's experience should give them an edge in a high-pressure game like this one. 

Furthermore, Virginia has been battle-tested in the ACC, playing against some of the top teams in the country on a regular basis. This experience should prepare them well for the NCAA tournament, and they should be able to handle the pressure of a high-stakes game like this one.

On the other hand, Furman lacks the experience of playing in high-pressure games, and they may struggle to adjust to the intensity and physicality of the NCAA tournament. While they have had a successful season, it may not be enough to prepare them for a team like Virginia.

In conclusion, while Furman is a strong team, Virginia's defense, experience, and battle-tested nature should give them an edge in this game. I predict that Virginia will win comfortably and cover the -5.5 point spread, with a final score of 72-62.

PICK: Virginia -5.5 (-110)

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