Minnesota vs. Louisville Prediction
There’s no shortage of storylines for the opening game of today’s NCAA Tournament action on No. 7 Louisville takes on No. 10 Minnesota in the East Region at 12:15PM ET.
773 Minnesota vs. 774 Louisville
Thursday, March 21, 2019
12:15PM ET – Wells Fargo Arena
TV: CBS
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Louisville is the favorite in this game, as the Cardinals are getting odds of -5 points against Minnesota. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 135.5 points. The public betting currently has 57 percent going on Louisville as the favorite. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Gophers playing for Pitino
Minnesota is the 10 seed out of this region and an at-large bid from the Big Ten. Coached by Richard Pitino, the Gophers are playing for their coach, as his father (Rick) was fired by Louisville after a number of scandals. The Gophers are 4-2 straight up and against the spread in their last six games. Minnesota is 21-13 on the season, 5-1 on a neutral floor, 17-17 against the spread and 18-15-1 with the under.
Minnesota doesn’t have terribly impressive numbers. The Gophers average just 70.8 points per game on offense while shooting 43.7 percent as a team. Defensively, Minnesota is giving up 69.2 points per game while opponents shoot 43.4 percent against them. Amir Coffey has been leading the team with 16.3 points per game while Jordan Murphy is adding 14.8 points and 11.5 rebounds per contest.
Cardinals stumbling into the tournament
Louisville is coming off an 83-70 loss to North Carolina in the ACC Tournament and the Cardinals have lost seven of their last 10 games entering March Madness. Despite that, Louisville has managed to cover in three of its last four. The Cardinals are 20-13 on the season, 1-3 on a neutral floor, 17-14-2 against the spread and 19-14 with the under.
The Cardinals are putting up 74.5 points per game on offense this season while shooting 43.4 percent as a team. Defensively, Louisville is allowing just 67.8 points per game while holding opponents to 40.5 percent shooting. Jordan Nwora is putting up 17.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game to lead the team while Dwayne Sutton is adding 10.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per contest.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Minnesota
The Golden Gophers are 1-5 against the spread in their last 6 NCAA Tournament games and 0-4 ATS in their last four non-conference games.
Louisville
The Cardinals are 10-3-1 against the spread in their last 14 games against Big Ten opponents, but just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 on a neutral site.
Prediction:
Louisville is just the better team here. The Cardinals do everything a little better than the Gophers. They shoot better, score more, give up less and rebound better. I know Minnesota could be a little more motivated by the Pitino link to Louisville, but the Cardinals should be motivated as well. Louisville’s program was left in shambles by Pitino and his assistants. It’s been a tough transition, but Louisville has come through it and will be ready for Minnesota.
College Basketball Prediction: Louisville -5