Virginia vs. Syracuse odds, line, spread: 2023 college basketball picks, Dec. 2 best bets from proven model

The Syracuse Orange and Virginia Cavaliers tip off ACC action on Saturday. The Orange (5-2), who have won two consecutive games, rolled to an 80-57 win over LSU on Tuesday. The Cavaliers (6-1), who have a 15-game winning streak in ACC openers, including 14-0 under coach Tony Bennett, are coming off a 59-47 win over 14th-ranked Texas A&M on Wednesday. UVA is 35-35 all-time in ACC openers. The Cavaliers' only loss so far this season was a 65-41 setback to Wisconsin on Nov. 20.

Tipoff from John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va., is set for noon ET. Virginia leads the all-time series 13-6, including a 5-2 edge at home. The Cavaliers are 9.5-point favorites in the latest Syracuse vs. Virginia odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 128. Before entering any Virginia vs. Syracuse picks, you'll want to see the NCAA Basketball predictions from the model at SportsLine.

The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters Week 4 of the 2023-24 season on an 94-61 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $1,800 for $100 players. It is also off to an 8-2 roll on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on UVA vs. Syracuse. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college basketball betting lines for the Syracuse vs. UVA game:

• Syracuse vs. Virginia spread: Virginia -9.5
• Syracuse vs. Virginia over/under: 128 points
• Syracuse vs. Virginia money line: Syracuse +400, Virginia -550
• SYR: The Orange have hit the game total over in 8 of their last 11 away games (+4.70 units)
• UVA: The Cavaliers have won 16 of their last 19 games at home (+11.55 units on ML)
• Syracuse vs. Virginia picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why Virginia can cover

The Cavaliers have just two players averaging in double-figure scoring, led by senior guard Reece Beekman. He has scored 12 points or more in each of the past three games, including a 17-point and seven-assist effort in the loss to Wisconsin. In Wednesday's win over Texas A&M, he scored 12 points, dished out five assists, made three steals and had two blocks. He has started all seven games for Virginia, and is averaging 11.9 points, 5.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.9 steals in 30.4 minutes of action.

Sophomore guard Ryan Dunn has reached double-figure scoring in four games, including a double-double against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 14. In that game, he scored 13 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, blocked three shots and registered two steals. He had seven steals in a 73-70 win over Florida on Nov. 10. For the year, Dunn is averaging 10.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 2.9 blocks in 27.4 minutes. See who to back at SportsLine.

Why Syracuse can cover

The Orange are led by sophomore guard Judah Mintz, who is coming off a monster performance on Tuesday in an 80-57 win over LSU during the ACC/SEC Challenge. In that game, Mintz poured in 33 points, while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out four assists. For the season, he is averaging 20.4 points, 4.1 assists, three rebounds and 2.1 steals. He is connecting on 45.7% of his shots from the floor, including a blistering 42.9% from 3-point range. He is also making 79.4% of his free throws.

Also averaging double-digit scoring is sophomore forward Chris Bell. In seven games, all starts, Bell is averaging 14.6 points and 2.3 rebounds. He is coming off a 20-point, three assist and two rebound performance against LSU, and had 18 points and five boards in a 105-56 win over Chaminade at the Maui Invitational on Nov. 21. He scored a season-high 25 points in a 79-75 victory over Colgate on Nov. 14. See who to back at SportsLine. 

How to make Syracuse vs. Virginia picks

The model has simulated UVA vs. Syracuse 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is leaning Over, and it's also generated a point-spread pick that is hitting in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.