The #6 Virginia Cavaliers (21-4, 13-3 ACC) will be in New England tonight to play the Boston College Eagles (13-15, 7-10 ACC) for the second time this season.
For the Cavaliers, winners of four straight games, it’s the first of two road games this week. Tied for first in the ACC, winning out guarantees them the conference crown for the second time in three years. It’s been another stellar season in Charlottesville, one that has them primed for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like Boston College will be dancing with them. The Eagles won their last time out, taking down Florida State, but they remain under .500 for the season and in conference play. However, playing at home they’ve given some quality teams scares this season, so don’t count them out.
Virginia ran away with the first meeting, but the slate has been wiped clean ahead of tonight. Let’s see if they’ll do it again or if Boston College will exact revenge.
Virginia Cavaliers vs. Boston College Eagles Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | Money Line |
| Virginia | -9.0 (-110) | Over 126.0 (-110) | -450 |
| Boston College | +9.0 (-110) | Under 126.0 (-110) | +360 |
Cavaliers vs. Eagles Match Details
Fixture: Virginia Cavaliers @ Boston College Eagles
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 22, 2023, 7:00 p.m. EST
Venue: Silvio O. Conte Forum
Cavaliers vs. Eagles Key Stats
The Virginia Cavaliers are renowned for their stifling defense, and Boston College experienced that already this season.
In the first matchup, Virginia held Boston College to 57 points. The Eagles shot 40.8% from the field and 28.6% from three. Boston College also turned the ball over 16 times and got outrebounded 33-25.
Virginia plays at one of the slowest paces nationally and combined with holding opponents to 41.3% shooting, they only allow 60.1 points per game, the 10th-best mark in the country. Their biggest weakness on that end is three-point shooting, as opposing teams hit 34.1% of their attempts from deep against the Cavaliers.
Boston College is not equipped to take advantage of that, as they only shoot 31.4% from beyond the arc, a rate that’s 319th nationwide. There are 15 ACC schools, and the Eagles are 13th in shooting percentage at 43.0% and 14th in points per game at 66.3.
Their defense also ranks poorly. They’re last in the conference in three-point defense, allowing makes on 37.3% of attempts. That’s 346th in the nation. Boston College’s foes shoot 44.5% against them, 12th in the ACC.
Well, the Cavaliers are built to capitalize on that, as they are the best three-point shooting team in the ACC at 37.1%, a rate that’s 44th nationally. Overall, they shoot 45.5%, sixth in the ACC.
Virginia Cavaliers vs. Boston College Eagles Betting Prediction
I usually shy away from Virginia and spreads that require them to win by double digits, but they match up too well with Boston College. The Eagles are among the worst three-point shooting teams in college basketball, and that’s the greatest flaw in Virginia’s sturdy defensive system.
Virginia’s offense isn’t the most explosive, but they knock down threes with the best of them, which can cause a game to snowball quickly. Boston College is horrible at forcing misses on three-pointers. Even on the road, Virginia will suffocate Boston College’s offense and methodically pull away when their shots start falling. Take the Cavaliers to cover against the Eagles again.
