Gardner-Webb vs. Virginia Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
-
Charlie Grant
A first round win for No. 1-seeded teams was an afterthought in the 30+ year history of the 64-field NCAA Tournament. That was of course, until last year when Virginia was bounced by UMBC. The Cavaliers are back again, and with another top seed to boot.
Will history repeat itself and will Gardner-Webb add to Virginia’s horrific Tournament history? Or will Tony Bennett’s crew put the past behind them with a convincing result?
Gardner-Webb (16) vs. Virginia (1) NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
Gardner-Webb scored an automatic bid by winning the Big South as the fourth seed in the conference tournament. The Runnin’ Bulldogs went 8-1 straight up down the stretch and covered the spread in seven of their last eight games.
This is Gardner-Webb’s first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since the program was promoted to Division I back in 2000. The Bulldogs were a perfect 13-0 straight up on their home floor and 10-11 in away or neutral venues.
The Cavaliers were the best team in college basketball again during the regular season but they were upset by Florida State in the semifinals. The Seminoles won 69-59 despite entering the game as 9-point underdogs.
Virginia finished again with the No. 1 rated defence in the country (55.1 points allowed per game) and the second best offence in terms of efficiency according to Ken Pomeroy’s rankings. Still the Cavaliers aren’t the favourites to win the tournament. Duke opened at the top of the NCAA Tournament odds board.
Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs
The Bulldogs relay on veteran grit and young legs. David Efianayi is the team’s leading scorer (18.4 per night) and a three-time All-Big South selection. His chief talent is getting to the charity stripe where he tallied a team-best 145 makes this season.
Efianayi is supported by freshman Jose Perez. The 6-foot-5 wing player has an all-around-game and he notched the first triple-double by a Big South freshman since 2009.
Virginia Cavaliers
Kyle Guy is back to avenge last season’s first round ousting. Guy leds Virginia in scoring for a second straight year at 15.6 points per game and he shot a lethal 46.7 percent from downtown.
The real X-factor for UVA is De’Andre Hunter. The sophomore forward is a two-way monster who’s expected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Hunter can shut down the opponent’s primary scorer while filling up the hoop himself.
