The #2 ranked Virginia Cavaliers are on the road at Syracuse Monday, and the visitors are being asked to cover a significant spread. The Orange have failed to impress, alternating wins and losses over their last nine games. Syracuse doesn't have anything to look forward to as it serves a self imposed post-season ban, so expect it to be highly motivated in this final home game.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Home Cookin' - The Orange have lost three of their last six at home, but had won 11 straight prior to that. They did hand the Cavs a 73-70 defeat in their last home meeting with Virginia, and they will be looking for a repeat performance on Seniors Day.

2. Injuries - The Cavs have struggled without their leading scorer Justin Anderson, and they've failed to cover the spread in five of their last seven overall.

3. X-Factor - Senior forward Rakeem Christmas has scored a total of 49 points, pulling down 20 rebounds in his last two home games.

Selection: This is a play on the Syracuse Orange(8*)