Louisville basketball is kicking off the NCAA Tournament for everyone, as they are scheduled as the first game of the whole tournament against Creighton. Not just the Cardinal faithful, but the country feels like Louisville got wronged in the seeding. Louisville basketball is ranked No.10 in the new AP poll and made it to the ACC Championship game, yet they are an eighth seed. Remember that Clemson team that Louisville beat twice this season, including just a few days ago? They got a fifth seed and ranked two spots behind them at 12 in the AP poll.
Louisville basketball fell to Duke in the ACC title game 73-62. Terrence Edwards Jr. had a monster game, scoring 29 points with five three-pointers. Unfortunately, the Cardinals came up short against the powerhouse Duke Blue Devils. Louisville basketball looks to bounce back and start its journey toward a national championship. Their first stop is just down the road against the Creighton Bluejays.
Series History
Welcome to March Madness, where we get exciting and new matchups. Louisville and Creighton have only played each other three times. This will be their first matchup against each other since 1999. This is what March basketball is all about. Louisville will look to knot up the series history and advance in the NCAA Tournament.
Game Time
Thursday, March 20, 12:15 p.m. local time on CBS
Lexington, KY, at the Rupp Arena
Final Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
Favorite: LOU -2.5
Moneyline: LOU -138
Over/Under: 145.5
What to know
Louisville basketball goes from defending one star 7-footer to the next. Ryan Kalkbrenner has led Creighton all year; he is averaging 19 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks on the year. The strength of the Bluejays is their ball movement, leading to open three-pointers. Creighton leads the Big East in assists and threes made per game. Creighton has wins over Kansas, St John's, UConn, and Marquette.
Louisville basketball has had a lockdown defense all season, allowing only 67 points per game. They did struggle in the ACC tournament, allowing 73 points per game. Star Chucky Hepburn has struggled from the field throughout the tournament as well. 33 percent from the field is what Hepburn produced in the conference tournament. That is 10 percent lower than his average in the regular season.
Prediction
Louisville basketball will advance to the round of 32. The Cardinals have to start the game better than what they have been. The emotions will be so high in these next few games, and you do not want to get down early. Chucky Hepburn has to shoot the ball better from range. He was 5-24 from three in the conference tournament. This team needs his scoring abilities. Luckily, Hepburn is more than just a scorer, so if he is struggling from the field, then he can still impact the game in other ways. Look for Hepburn to turn it around and make 3 three-pointers.
This will be no easy task for Louisville, as Creighton is a good team led by Kalkbrenner. Expect the Cardinals to start fast, as we all know they can, and score at least 40 points in the first half. Louisville basketball will get back to their winning ways and advance in the NCAA Tournament.