The Louisville Cardinals (20-13) square off against the Northern Kentucky Norse (22-9) in the NIT at KFC Yum! Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, and will air on ESPN.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 149 points with Louisville opening as a 9-point favorite.
Northern Kentucky Norse at Louisville Cardinals Free Prediction
In the Norse’s last outing, they were beaten by the Cleveland State Vikings, 89-80. Cleveland State’s turnover percentage was their largest strength over Northern Kentucky. The Vikings had a rate of 10.0 (better than their season average of 17.4), while the Norse posted a mark of 15.3. Drew McDonald was the top scorer from either team with 24 points on 8-for-16 shooting.
The Cardinals lost to the No. 1 Virginia Cavaliers in their last contest, 75-58. Virginia’s 35.7 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest strength over Louisville, who had a mark of 22.6. The Cavaliers’ mark was above their season average of 27.2, while the Cardinals’ was below their season average of 29.2. With 16 points on 5-for-11 shooting, Ray Spalding led Louisville in scoring.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, this will be a matchup of two heavyweights. The sweet-shooting Northern Kentucky offense ranks 40th in the NCAA in that metric at 0.548, while the stingy Louisville defense is ranked 22nd in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.468).
Northern Kentucky comes into the game with records of 22-9 straight up (SU) and 17-11 against the spread (ATS). Of the Norse’s 28 games with betting action, 17 have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Louisville is 20-13 SU and 16-14-1 ATS. Unlike Northern Kentucky, games featuring the Cardinals have typically gone over the projected point total (61.3 percent).
Northern Kentucky Norse at Louisville Cardinals Odds Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Louisville, ATS Winner – Louisville, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Northern Kentucky ranks 72nd in rebounds allowed per game (33.0) while Louisville ranks 243rd (37.0).
The Cardinals average 6.2 blocks per game, which ranks fourth in the NCAA. The Norse rank 142nd in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
Northern Kentucky ranks 23rd in assists per game (16.5) while Louisville ranks 146th (13.6).
The Norse rank 37th in steals per game (7.5) while the Cardinals rank 117th in steals allowed per game (6.1).
Northern Kentucky averages 23.5 three pointers per game, which ranks 97th in the NCAA. Louisville ranks 124th in three pointers allowed per game (21.0).
Bettings Trends:
The Norse’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.8, down from 12.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cardinals have scored an average of 70.0 points per game (6.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.0 points per game (1.5 above their season average).
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