Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Virginia Cavaliers Picks, Predictions, Odds

Nov. 29, 2021
Dan Dobish
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Iowa Hawkeyes (6-0) travel to meet the Virginia Cavaliers (5-2) in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge on Monday night at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on ESPN2.

Score Prediction

Iowa 73, Virginia 64

Best Bets

Iowa -130 ML

Iowa -1.5 (-110)

Over 131.5 (-110)

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Virginia Cavaliers Predictions

It's been six up and six down for the Hawkeyes so far, running through an early-season schedule of mostly cupcakes and teams expected to struggle. The Hawkeyes will get their first real-test in Charlottesville against the Cavaliers. Iowa's first six outings have been against Longwood, Missouri-Kansas City, North Carolina Central, Alabama State, Western Michigan and Portland State, not exactly a who's who of college hoops. They have won five of those games by at least 26 games, with the closest challenge coming from NCCU, a 17-point victory.

Virginia is definitely the more battle-tested team, and they have already experienced a pair of losses, too. The Hoos lost the opener against Navy at home, 66-58, falling as a 15-point favorite at JPJ. They also were dusted 67-47 at Houston, opening 1-2 SU/ATS. The ACC representative has pulled it together lately, rattling off four consecutive wins, including a pair of neutral-site wins against Georgia and Providence to get somewhat untracked.

Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Virginia Cavaliers Betting Odds

  • Iowa -130
  • Virginia +105
  • Iowa -1.5 (-110)
  • Virginia +1.5 (-110)
  • Over 131.5 (-110)
  • Under 131.5 (-110)
  • More Odds | Futures Odds

    Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Virginia Cavaliers Betting Resources

    • Matchup: Big 10 vs. ACC
    • Date: Monday, November 29, 2021
    • Venue: John Paul Jones Arena
    • Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
    • TV-Time: ESPN2 - 7:00 p.m. ET

    Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Analysis

    Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

    • SU: 6-0
    • ATS: 4-2
    • O/U: 5-1

    The Hawkeyes have yet to face a real test in this 2021 season, but that will change against the Cavaliers. This offense has run up at least 85 points in all six of their games to date, including three outings with 106 or more points. That likely won't happen against a Cavaliers team known for slowing the pace down to a crawl.

    Iowa has posted a 4-2 ATS mark with the OVER hitting in five of six outings so far. The lone UNDER was last time out in an 85-51 win over Portland State at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City on Friday. Perhaps the Vikings were a slight uptick in competition, or perhaps they were just full of turkey and mashed potatoes, and a little sluggish the day after Thanksgiving.

    These teams haven't met since the Big Ten-ACC Challenge in 2016, when Virginia hammered Iowa 74-41 as 12-point favorites in Iowa City as the UNDER connected. The UNDER is a common theme on the road for the Hawkeyes, cashing in each of their past seven away from home.

    Virginia Cavaliers Betting Analysis

    Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

    • SU: 5-2
    • ATS: 3-4
    • O/U: 2-5

    The Cavaliers have managed a perfect 5-0 mark to the UNDER in the past five outings, but a matchup with the high-flying Hawkeyes will certainly be quite the test.

    Virginia is just 1-7 ATS in its past eight games at John Paul Jones Arena dating back to last season. That includes a 61-43 win and non-cover as 20-point favorites against Lehigh last time out on Nov. 26. Virginia is 3-1 SU in four outings at home, but just 1-3 ATS so far this season, too, while the OVER-UNDER has split 2-2 in those four outings.

    UVA is averaging just 61.4 PPG to rank 333rd in the nation, while allowing just 53.6 PPG to rank fourth in the country, while the opposition is shooting just 36.9% to rank 22nd in the nation. Low scores and defense rules the day for Virginia.


    The Virginia Cavaliers have cashed the UNDER in five consecutive games. (AP)

    Inside the Stats - Iowa Hawkeyes

    • Record: 6-0
    • VI Ranking: 21
    • PS/G: 97.2
    • PA/G: 65.6
    • ORtg: 38.7
    • DRtg: 30.8

    Inside the Stats - Virginia Cavaliers

    • Record: 4-2
    • VI Ranking: 49
    • PS/G: 61.4
    • PA/G: 53.6
    • ORtg: 31.3
    • DRtg: 30.9

    Key Players to Watch

    • IOWA: Keegan Murray - F (25.7 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.5 BPG, 1.3 APG, 1.3 SPG)
    • IOWA: Kris Murray - F (12.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.0 BPG)
    • UVA: Armaan Franklin - G (13.0 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 1.3 APG)
    • UVA: Jayden Gardner - F (13.4 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 53.2 FG%)

    Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Virginia Cavaliers Betting Conclusion

    This will certainly be a clash in styles, as the No. 1 ranked offense in the nation, Iowa, faces the No. 4 ranked defense in the country. Iowa has been having its way with the opposition, using a tremendous size and talent advantage to muscle its way through a sea of nobodies. Now we'll get a real idea if this team is ready to challenge for the upper division in the Big Ten or not.

    Virginia has already lost twice, but it has also faced a much more challenging schedule. I think the Cavaliers, especially playing at home, will be able to slow down the Hawkeyes quite a bit, perhaps holding them as much as 20-25 points below their season average. But, I also think if Iowa starts to run, and force Virginia to play a more up-tempo style that they do not want to play, this one could get away from them in a hurry.

    Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Virginia Cavaliers Betting Trends

    • Iowa is 0-4-1 ATS in the past five games against winning teams.
    • Virginia is 1-7 ATS in the past eight games at home.
    • Virginia is 4-10 ATS in the past 14 games overall.
    • The UNDER is 7-0 in the past seven road games for Iowa.
    • The UNDER is 5-0 in the past five games overall for Virginia.