Louisville basketball is hosting the North Carolina State Wolfpack this evening in a marquee ACC showdown. The Cardinals and the Wolfpack are fighting in a tight ACC race, as the Wolfpack currently sits in fourth place in the ACC standings with an 18-6 overall record and a 9-2 ACC record. As for Louisville, Pat Kelsey has this team clicking recently, with a three-game win streak, a 17-6 record, and a 7-4 ACC record.
Tonight has major ACC implications for the Cardinals and the Wolfpack, as well as the standings. With Louisville having just eight games remaining, the Cardinals still have some ground to cover to jump up to the four seed for that coveted bye for the ACC Tournament. Louisville will try to earn a huge Quad 1 win tonight to not only improve its resume but also climb these standings.
So, now that we know what's at stake and why this game is so important tonight, let's break down the odds and make a prediction.
Louisville basketball vs North Carolina State odds
Louisville is a 6.5-point favorite for tonight's matchup, and the Cardinals are given a 75.0 percent chance to beat the Wolfpack, according to FanDuel and ESPN's Matchup Predictor. The Cardinals and the Wolfpack have played 29 times, and Louisville has a 15-14 record against NC State, including last year, when they snapped a four-game losing streak to the Wolfpack with a dominant 91-66 victory.
Odds courtesy of FanDuel, and as of 7:00 am ET on Saturday, Feb. 9.
Spread: Louisville -6.5
Moneyline: Louisville -315
Over/Under: 161.5
Prediction
Louisville must shut down Darrion Williams tonight, as the former 5-star transfer has led this Wolfpack team to a six-game win streak, and they have won eight of their last nine. Over the last four games, he has scored 20 or more points in three of them, and 17 in a huge OT win over Clemson. Ven-Allen Lubin has also emerged as a star for Will Wade, scoring in double figures in the last eight games, including a team-high 22 points against Clemson on 9-of-12 shooting.
The Cardinals' frontcourt will have to step up again tonight to limit Williams and Lubin if they want to win tonight. As for their backcourt, they will hope Mikel Brown Jr. and Ryan Conwell can rise to the occasion and come out of their current shooting slump. Louisville has played extremely well at home, and with everything at stake, this Cardinals offense is poised for another explosive performance.
Khani Rooths has emerged as a true star, and even if he is coming off the bench, he will make it a hard night for Lubin, and J’Vonne Hadley will be able to contain Williams all night. Louisville’s backcourt has the advantage, and Brown and Conwell will use their playmaking ability to lead the charge and give Louisville a huge ACC win.
Louisville 83 NC State 76