The NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament kicks off with an exciting first-round game between the Wright State Raiders and the Virginia Cavaliers. This game will take place at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA. Fans can catch the action on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 1:50 PM ET on TBS.
Wright State comes into the tournament with a solid record. They finished the regular season with a 23-11 overall record and an 18-5 record in the Horizon League. In their recent games, the Raiders secured wins against Detroit, Northern Kentucky, and Cleveland State.
Virginia holds the 9th spot in the AP rankings. They ended their regular season with a 29-5 overall record and a 17-4 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavaliers recently won against Miami and North Carolina State but lost a close game to Duke.
Virginia Preview
The Virginia Cavaliers are ranked #9 in the AP poll. They play in the Atlantic Coast Conference. During the 2026 regular season, they had a strong overall record of 29-5. In conference play, their record was 17-4.
In recent games, the Cavaliers had a close loss to Duke, 74-70. They shot 44.4% from the field in that game. Sam Lewis scored 17 points, and Malik Thomas added 18 points. Ugonna Onyenso contributed with 8 rebounds.
Against Miami, the Cavaliers won 84-62. Their shooting was 52.5% from the field. Ugonna Onyenso had an impressive game with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Thijs De Ridder scored 16 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
For the season, the Cavaliers averaged 80.6 points per game. They ranked 27th in rebounds per game with 40.2. Their 3-point shooting was solid, making 10.1 per game. On defense, they averaged 6.4 steals and 6.5 blocks per game.
Wright State Preview
The Wright State Raiders play in the Horizon League. During the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 23-11. In conference games, they recorded 18 wins and 5 losses.
In recent games, the Raiders won against the Detroit Titans with a score of 66-63. Kellen Pickett scored 17 points and had 7 rebounds. TJ Burch added 19 points, while Michael Imariagbe contributed 12 points and 7 rebounds.
Against Northern Kentucky Norse, the Raiders won 103-90. TJ Burch scored 22 points, and Michael Cooper added 25 points. Michael Imariagbe had a perfect shooting game, scoring 8 points with 10 rebounds.
The Raiders’ season stats show they score 80.7 points per game. Their field goal percentage is 48.8%. On defense, they average 7.4 steals and 4.4 blocks per game. Their free throw percentage stands at 73.6%.
Statistical Breakdown for Virginia vs Wright State
The game between the Virginia Cavaliers and Wright State Raiders will be shaped by key stats. Virginia’s strong rebounding at 40.2 per game could give them an edge in controlling the ball. Wright State’s high field goal percentage of 48.8% shows they are efficient shooters. Virginia’s ability to make 10.1 three-pointers per game might be a factor against Wright State’s defense. Both teams score over 80 points per game, so offense will be important.
- Virginia Cavaliers Points Per Game: 80.6
- Wright State Raiders Points Per Game: 80.7
- Virginia Cavaliers Rebounds Per Game: 40.2
- Wright State Raiders Field Goal Percentage: 48.8%
- Virginia Cavaliers 3PT Made Per Game: 10.1
- Wright State Raiders Steals Per Game: 7.4
- Virginia Cavaliers Blocks Per Game: 6.5
Betting Insights
As the Wright State Raiders prepare to take on the Virginia Cavaliers, bettors are looking closely at recent trends. Both teams have had mixed results against the spread and in total points. Understanding these patterns can help make informed betting decisions. Here are the top five trends to consider:
- Wright State is 4-1 in Over/Under in their last 5 games (80.0%).
- Virginia has a 19-13 Over/Under record for all games (59.4%).
- Wright State is 10-6 straight up as a favorite (62.5%).
- Virginia is 10-1 straight up as a favorite (90.9%).
- Wright State is 9-7 ATS as a favorite (56.2%).
Free Betting Prediction for Virginia vs Wright State
The game between the Virginia Cavaliers and Wright State Raiders looks to be an exciting one. Both teams have strong offenses, with each scoring over 80 points per game. Virginia’s defense, with 6.5 blocks per game, might slow down Wright State’s efficient shooting. The Cavaliers’ ability to rebound well could limit the Raiders’ second-chance points.
Wright State has shown they can score with a high field goal percentage. However, Virginia’s strong record as a favorite suggests they are tough to beat at home. The Cavaliers’ three-point shooting could stretch the Raiders’ defense, creating more scoring opportunities.
Given Virginia’s strong overall play and home advantage, they are likely to win this game. Wright State may struggle to cover the spread, but their scoring ability could keep the game closer than expected. The total points might go over 144.5, considering both teams’ scoring averages.
- Our Free Prediction: Over 144.5
