(30-9) Louisville(4) vs (36-2) Kentucky(1)
This rivalry is played every year but rarely twice. Back in December, Louisville’s was a 10 point underdog so all their recent successes have done is earn themselves another point of respect.
#4 Louisville Cardinals vs #1 Kentucky Wildcats
Saturday March 31
Superdome – New Orleans, LA
6:05PM
Moneyline: Kentucky -470, Louisville +470
Spread: Kentucky -9
O/U: 138.5
Louisville
When they met way back when they did a pretty good job against the Wildcats defensively holding them to a ridiculously low 29% shooting.
Still it wasn’t enough as they just couldn’t put points on the board themselves to put them in a position to win.
Except for guard Russ Smith who scored 30 points that day – his best game of the season. In the Tournament Smith is building a solid reputation as a clutch scorer.
He may be slight but he has a knack for finding the creases and getting his shot off.
He is going to need some big time help if they are going to upset the Wildcats who everyone is assuming will crush them on the way to the finals. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Kentucky
This Kentucky team is very good but what I like best about them is not just the ceiling of talented players like freshman center Anthony Davis, but the experience that is surrounding him.
Forward Terrence Jones and guard Doron Lamb are very talented in their own right and seem to be able to fit in better than they did as freshman last year. You also have a senior in Darius Miller who adds a sense of urgency to the group.
That being said it is nice to have talented players like Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Davis continues to improve every game and MKG is so unselfish that he helps make this team go.
Would you believe that this team has 6 players averaging 10 or more points per game….and they are a top defensive team too limiting opponents to just 37% shooting on the season.
The spread on their scoring and defense for the season is a staggering 17ppg. No wonder they are the odds on favourite.
Spread Pick: Kentucky -9
O/U Pick: Under 138.5
Score Prediction: Kentucky 68 – Louisville 57
