| MATCHUP | Virginia Cavaliers | Louisville Cardinals |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 14-2 | 12-4 |
| Spread | +3.5 -110 | -3.5 -110 |
| Moneyline | +140 | -166 |
| Total | Over 154.5 (-112) | Under 154.5 (-108) |
| Where | KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY | |
| When | Tuesday, January 13, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN2 | |
The Virginia Cavaliers and the Louisville Cardinals meet Tuesday in college basketball action from KFC Yum! Center. Here’s a Virginia vs Louisville prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Virginia vs Louisville pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.
Virginia Cavaliers Betting Preview
Virginia kicked off the season on a nice run, winning each of their first five games before a loss to Butler. The Cavs would beat Queens, Texas, Dayton, MD Eastern Shore, Maryland and American in the next six outings ahead of another loss to Virginia Tech on New Year’s Eve. Since then it’s been three consecutive wins over NC State, California and Stanford. That gives the Cavaliers a 14-2 run in the books over their first 16 outings.
In the Stanford game on Saturday the Cavaliers entered the second half with a 41-34 edge. Virginia kept it up the rest of the way on a 29-21 run and took the win in the end 70-55 at home. Thijs De Ridder led the team on 22 points with three rebounds and two assists. Chance Mallory added 13 points with four boards and Malik Thomas had 11 points with seven rebounds and three assists.
Louisville Cardinals Betting Preview
Over on the Louisville side, they also opened the season on a nice run. The Cardinals took victories in each of their first seven games ahead of a December 3 loss to Arkansas. Since then it’s been a sketchier 5-3 run with wins over Indiana, Memphis, Montana, Cal and Boston College alongside losses to Tennessee, Stanford and Duke. That gives the Cards a 12-4 overall run this year through 16 outings.
In the Boston College game on Saturday the Cardinals were in trouble at the break sporting a 34-30 deficit. Louisville woke up in the second half however, posting a 45-28 run the rest of the way in a 75-62 comeback win at home. Sananda Fru was the team’s top performer on a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Adrian Wooley added 16 points with six rebounds and four assists as well.
Virginia Cavaliers @ Louisville Cardinals Betting Trends: January 13, 2026
Why the Louisville Cardinals will win
- Louisville has won 20 of its last 21 games at KFC Yum! Center.
- Virginia has lost each of its last seven night games against AP-ranked opponents.
- Virginia has lost the first half in six of its last seven night games against AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Virginia Cavaliers will win
- Virginia has won each of its last nine night games against Louisville.
- Louisville has lost 15 of its last 17 night games against AP-ranked opponents.
- Louisville has lost the first half in three of its last four games against teams with an AP Ranking of 23.
Virginia vs Louisville Prediction
I’ll stick with Virginia. The Cavaliers took care of a good Stanford team at John Paul Jones Arena last weekend, shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 82.4 percent (14-of-17) from the line. Virginia had a 33-26 rebounding advantage and just nine turnovers, outscoring the Cardinal 36-22 in the paint. That gives the Cavaliers nine wins in their last 10 games, and they’ve scored 70 or more points in each of those victories (and the loss too, for that matter).
As for Louisville, they got off to a slow start versus a middling Boston College team in their last outing but everything worked out well in the end. The Cards had a dominant 38-18 edge in the paint and shot 49 percent from the field with a 42-30 rebounding advantage but also had 13 turnovers in the comeback win. Louisville had given up 80 or more points in consecutive games (both losses) prior to that.