Southern Illinois vs. Louisville Pick
Can No. 19 Louisville continue to roll along in the 2017-18 season when the Cardinals take on Southern Illinois tonight at 7PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Louisville is favored at home in this contest, as the Cardinals are getting odds of -16.5 points against Southern Illinois. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 141.5 points. Tonight’s game takes place from the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Despite the rough few weeks before the start of the season, Louisville has been able to get off to a 2-0 start this season, topping George Mason and Nebraska-Omaha. The Cardinals have yet to cover the spread, however. Louisville is scoring 79.5 points per game this season while allowing 69.5 points per contest. Deng Adel is averaging 20.5 points and 6 rebounds per game to lead the team while Ray Spalding is adding 10.5 points and 9 rebounds per contest.
Southern Illinois is off to a 2-0 start this season as well, beating Winthrop by 15 and Illinois-Springfield by five. Neither game had a line to it. SIU is putting up 81 points per game this season while allowing 66 points per game on defense. The Salukis are being led by Kavion Pippen, who is averaging 13 points and 8.5 rebounds per game right now. Armon Fletcher put up 14 points and 5 rebounds in is lone game this year.
Bet on Southern Illinois vs. Louisville
Louisville won and covered the spread in its last meeting with SIU last season thanks to a 74-51 victory. However, a lot has changed since then. Louisville has been able to win games, but not doing so by terribly large margins. The Cardinals are still dealing with a lot of transition, so I don’t think they are worried about how much they win bye. SIU has been successful so far this year as well and I think the Salukis will be up to the challenge of competing with Louisville tonight. The public betting is siding with Louisville, but I am going with Southern Illinois to cover.
CBB DAILY PREDICTION: SOUTHERN ILLINOIS +16.5