Last Updated on March 19, 2010 7:18 pm by drew
Cal-Louisville Pick
The final game of the first round of the NCAA Tournament will feature California taking on Louisville at 9:45PM ET on Friday.
Bet March Madness
This contest is part of the South Regional and will take place from Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Cal is the No. 8 seed while Louisville is the No. 9 seed.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made this game an even Pick’em. The over/under total has been set at 150.
Cal is making its 15th NCAA Tournament appearance this year. The Bears are 23-10 this season and 13-5 in the Pac-10 Conference. The Bears score 78 points per-game on offense, which ranks 24th in the nation. They give up 68.4 points per-game on defense, which ranks 161st in the nation. Cal is led by Jerome Randle, who averages 18.7 points per-game. Patrick Christopher adds in 16 points per-contest while Theo Robertson posts 14.1 points per-game.
Louisville is making its fourth straight tournament appearance. The Cardinals have played in 36 tournaments in school history. Louisville is 20-12 on the season and 11-7 in the Big East Conference. The Cardinals score 76.3 points per-game, which ranks 34th in the country. The Cardinals give up 69.6 points per-game, which puts them 187th nationally. Louisville is led by Samardo Samuels, who averages 15.3 points and 7 rebounds per-game. Edgar Sosa adds 13.3 points and 4.5 assists per-game for the Cardinals.
This game should be a track meet as both can score a lot of points while giving up a lot as well. When it comes to coaching, Rick Pitino always gives his team a chance to win and in a pick’em game, we like Pitino’s chances. We suggest Louisville and the over.
Our NCAA Tournament Free Pick for this matchup is: LOUISVILLE PK and OVER 150
March Madness Betting Trends
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Louisville’s last 10 games
Louisville is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
California is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
California is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of California’s last 10 games
March Madness Injury Report
CALIFORNIA
[F] 01/23/2010 – Harper Kamp expected to redshirt ( Knee )
[F] 01/20/2010 – Bak Bak out for season ( Eligibility )
[F] 03/17/2010 – Omondi Amoke out indefinitely ( Suspension )
LOUISVILLE
[F] 01/20/2010 – Richie Phares out indefinitely ( Knee )
[G/F] 12/31/2009 – George Goode out indefinitely ( Ankle )
March Madness Game Odds
California Golden Bears PK Over 150
Louisville Cardinals PK Under 150
Bet March Madness
Posted: 3/19/10 7:18PM ET