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Virginia vs James Madison Picks and Odds (Dec. 7)

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in College Basketball

Updated Dec 7, 2021 · 12:15 AM PST

Virginia Cavaliers celebration
Virginia players celebrate the winning basket during an NCAA college basketball game against Pittsburgh in Charlottesville, Va., Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. Virginia defeated Pittsburgh 57-56. (AP Photo/Andrew Shurtleff)
  • Virginia is a 5.5-point road favorite over James Madison on Tuesday (December 7th) at the Atlantic Union Bank Center, in Harrisonburg, VA
  • The Cavaliers have won five of their past six after starting 1-2
  • Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction

Inter-state college hoops programs clash on Tuesday (Dec. 7th), as Virginia visits James Madison. The Cavaliers, the 2019 national champs, enter play winners of five of their past six, after a disappointing 1-2 start.

The Dukes meanwhile, have won seven of their first 10 games, and are fresh off back-to-back victories.

Virginia vs James Madison Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Virginia Cavaliers OFF -5.5 (-110) O 123.5 (-110)
James Madison Dukes OFF +5.5 (-110) U 123.5 (-110)

Odds as of Dec. 6th at FanDuel.

Virginia opened up as a 5.5-point favorite, in a game that features a total of 123.5. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 pm ET at the Atlantic Union Bank Center, in Harrisonburg, VA, a building where James Madison has posted a perfect 4-0 record this season.

Virginia Cavaliers Betting Analysis

The Cavaliers only loss during their six-game run was a 1-point defeat to a 7-1 Iowa team. Last time out, they earned a hard fought victory over Pittsburgh, thanks to Jayden Gardner. The 6-6 senior led the team with 15 points, including a last second put-back to give Virginia the win.

It was a back-and-forth battle with the Panthers, that featured 14 lead changes. The Cavaliers overcame a 4-point deficit with 25 seconds to play, as Gardner scored the game’s final 5 points.

Armaan Franklin added 10 for Virginia, but was blanked from behind the arc. Franklin was 0-for-6 from three, while the Cavs knocked down just four of their 21 three-point attempts. They shot 46.2% from the field, which is actually three percentage points higher than their season average.

Virginia ranks 152nd in the country in field goal percentage, and 299th in points per game. They’ve scored fewer than 60 points in four of nine outings, but their offensive inefficiency is overcome by sound defense.

The Cavs held Pitt to 39.1% from the field, while forcing 10 turnovers. They rank sixth in the nation in scoring defense, and are limiting opponents to just 20.2 made field goals per game.

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James Madison Dukes Betting Analysis

The Dukes may be off to a 7-3 start, but the level of competition they’ve faced hasn’t exactly been strong. Last time out, they barely broke a sweat versus East Mennonite, the second non-Division 1 program they’ve already played.

Prior to that blowout, they squeaked by FAU 69-65, led by Charles Falden. The 6-3 senior splashed 17 points, and was the only James Madison player to reach double-figures. Takal Molson and Vado Morse, the team’s top-two scorers, combined for just 11 points, but the rest of the roster picked up the slack.

The Dukes shot 49% from the field, and 43.5% from three, but still barely got the win. They lost the assist, rebounding, and turnover battle, but were bailed out by the Owls poor shooting. FAU shot just 43.9% from the field, and missed 43% of their free throws. It would be nice to credit James Madison for a strong defensive effort, but they haven’t played well at that end of the court all season. They rank 159th in scoring defense, and 247th in effective field goal percentage, despite facing only one program ranked inside the top-125.

Their offense numbers are even worse. The Dukes rank 196th in points per game, 227th in effective field goal percentage, 297th in assists, and 286th in three-point efficiency.

Virginia vs James Madison Pick

If they can’t play efficiently and separate against scrub teams, we shouldn’t expect James Madison to find much success versus a very strong Virginia defense.

The Cavaliers have held six of their nine opponents below 60 points, and should be able to stifle this poor Dukes offense. Virginia is certainly no offensive juggernaut themselves, but the matchup versus James Madison’s struggling defense is very favorable.

The Dukes are 5-2 against the spread, but failed to cover versus the two best teams they’ve faced, neither of which is even in the same league talent wise as Virginia.

Pick: Virginia -5.5 (-110)

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