The Bobcats managed to go on a run in which they won nine of 10 to capture the MAC tournament title despite a relatively uneven season in which they several pandemic-related pauses and finished fifth in the regular season. The pandemic also cost the Cavaliers the chance to defend their 2019 title and nearly did so again as protocols forced last-minute travel and other obstacles. Super efficient point guard Kihei Clark is the lone significant holdover from that title team. But the Cavaliers have other solid pieces, their pack-line defense and one of the top coaches in the country to count on.

Learn the name Jason Preston from Ohio. The kid is a stud. He is a triple-double threat, and even Tony Bennett’s defense can’t slow him down. Ohio gave Illinois all it can handle in Champaign. Ohio covers, but dabble on some moneyline here too.

Most of the Cavaliers are in quarantine and their first practice for this game will be Thursday. Then they'll face an Ohio team led by Jason Preston (16.6 ppg, 7.2 apg, 6.8 rpg) that rolled through the MAC Tournament. Preston is one of two Bobcats who shoot over 40 percent on 3-pointers. UVA's defense has not been as good as usual defending the trey. This season, opponents are shooting 34.1 percent from deep. Grab the points but don't be surprised by an outright upset.