Oregon Ducks vs Virginia Cavaliers: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

What: Oregon Ducks vs Virginia Cavaliers

Where: KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY

When: Thursday, March 28th at 9:59 PM EST

How (TV): TBS

Oregon Ducks (Away)

Head Coach: Dana Altman {Record: 25-12 | Conference: 10-8, 4th in Pac-12}

Expected Starting Five: (G) Payton Pritchard – (F) Louis King – (F) Kenny Wooten – (F) Paul White – (F) Francis Okoro

The Oregon Ducks are coming off of two impressive defensive performances against UC Irvine and Wisconsin. In both of those matches, the Ducks held their opponents to just 54 points. Their composure on the national stage is impressive, especially considering they’ve been without star man Bol Bol for most of the season.

They face off against a similarly capable defensive team in the Virginia Cavaliers. Against a weaker UC-Irvine, the Ducks were able to shoot 46% from the field and 41% from deep. They will have a tougher time scoring against the Cavaliers’ pack line defence.

Will Richardson and Ehab Amin are the Ducks’ go-to players off of the bench. Considering Oregon likes to start big to define their defence, Amin and Richardson are meant to be scoring spark plugs for their reserves. Egyptian guard Ehab Amin was a productive 4-4 from three in their last match, but Will Richardson has struggled in his first two games of the tournament. All hands need to be on deck if the Ducks hope to beat the Cavaliers.

Virginia Cavaliers (Home)

Head Coach: Tony Bennett {Record: 31-3 | Conference: 16-2, 1st in ACC}

Expected Starting Five: (G) Kyle Guy – (G) Ty Jerome – (G) Kihei Clark – (G) De’Andre Hunter – (F) Mamadi Diakite

ACC Champions the Virginia Cavaliers have dominated the competition in the first two rounds of the tournament. Entering the Sweet Sixteen, the Cavaliers will face off against a similarly defensive unit in the Oregon Ducks. Both teams are surprisingly well matched, creating an exciting affair.

Virginia hope to maintain their rhythm when they take on the Oregon Ducks, as they shot a solid 48% from the field. Unfortunately for them, they were a paltry 29% from three, lead disappointingly by a 0-10 night from Kyle Guy. With the Ducks’ length across the line, the Cavaliers will need more than a couple threes to stay competitive.

Guinean big man Mamadi Diakite was the man of the match for the Cavaliers in their last match. His ability to roll and attack the rim was a benefit to the Cavaliers who struggled from range. Diakite’s boundless energy is key to the Cavaliers’ success, but he will be challenged by a much larger line on the Oregon side.

Oregon Ducks Roster Notes

F Abu Kigab – 5 Jan 2019 – OUT (Transfer) – Kigab is no longer with the team pending a transfer to Boise State.

C Bol Bol – 4 Jan 2019 – OUT (Out) – Bol is out for the season following surgery on a broken foot.

Virginia Cavaliers Roster Notes

The Virginia Cavaliers have no roster changes of note.

Head-to-Head: Payton Pritchard (ORE) vs Kyle Guy (VIR)

It is a match up of point guards when Oregon and Virginia face off. Payton Pritchard has taken on the scoring load for the Ducks with Bol Bol unavailable while Kyle Guy is coming off of one his worst shooting performances of his career. Production is paramount and these two point guards are sure get their looks in.

Payton Pritchard

Guard | 6-2, 195lb (188cm, 88kg) | West Linn High School | West Linn, OR | Junior

13.0 PPG | 4.6 APG | 3.8 RPG | 1.8 SPG | 0.1 BPG | 2.0 TOV | .423 FG% | .333 3P%

In his last game, Payton Pritchard led his team with 18 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds over UC-Irving in the second round of the tournament. His ability to drive and create is a great complement to his passable shooting ability. His playmaking in this match will be key, as the discipline of the Virginia front line is sure to cause some trouble at the rim.

Kyle Guy

Guard | 6-2, 175lb (188cm, 79kg) | Lawrence Central High School | Junior

15.1 PPG | 2.1 APG | 4.4 RPG | 0.7 SPG | 0.1 BPG | 1.4 TOV | .454 FG% | .439 3P%

Junior Guard Kyle Guy was awarded the NABC Coaches’ Division I All-America honour on Tuesday. It should be a boon to his performance, considering he is coming off of an awful 0-10 shooting night from deep. Guy is one of the highest usage players on the team, so an off shooting night for him can’t be withstood for long. He is one of the nations’ best shooters and will be integral to the Cavaliers’ success if they want to open up the length of the Ducks’ defence.

Oregon Ducks at Virginia Cavaliers Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have the Virginia Cavaliers favoured over the Oregon Ducks by 8.5, with an over/under of 110.