College Basketball Knowledge
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NCAA Basketball Betting Preview
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Louisville vs Notre Dame
It is getting to the point of the season where every loss can have an effect on ranking or the likelihood of making it into March Madness. The Louisville Cardinals are definitely going to be in, but if they want to maintain a high ranking, they need to keep finding ways to win. They will be put to the test on Saturday when they head into South bend to face the Fighting Irish.
Why bet on the Louisville Cardinals
The Cardinals (19-5, 8-3) did not get to the #13 rank on luck alone, as this is a very balanced team all around. Their mental toughness is going to be put to the test here, though, as they are coming off a 72-65 loss to Duke on the road. There is certainly no shame in losing to the National Champions, but those are the types of games that the Cardinals are going to have to win if they have aspirations of winning it all this year. The good news for the Cardinals is that they won their two road games prior to that tough loss, with both of those victories coming against unranked opponents. Louisville still has a shot at landing atop the ACC at the end of the regular season, but they can’t afford any more losses if that is to happen. The Cardinals are averaging 78.4 PPG, and are giving up 68.3 PPG.
Why bet on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Irish (17-7, 8-4) may be developing a giant killer label, as they have managed to knock off 2 of the last 3 ranked opponents that they have faced. The biggest surprise may well have been their 80-76 win over North Carolina last weekend. That was a game that looked set for a blowout in the first half, but which Notre Dame ended up winning by taking control in the latter stages of the game. The home crowd was rocking, and you can bet they are going to be loud again this weekend when they sense that another scalp is there for the taking. The Irish are currently on a 5-game winning streak on home court. Notre Dame are averaging 79.0 PPG, and are giving up 70.6 PPG.
Pick and Final Score Prediction
It would certainly be something to see Notre Dame take out ranked opponents on consecutive weekends, but I just don’t see it happening. The Cardinals are sure to be smarting after that Duke loss, and will be looking to take their frustrations out on someone.
Louisville Cardinals 75 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 66
NCAAB: Streaks, Tips, Notes
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Virginia at Duke
The Cavaliers playing some pretty good basketball behind 71.4 points/game along with knowing how to protect their own basket allowing a stingy 59.6 per/contest face a stiff test at Cameron Indoor Arena Saturday afternoon. Duke has hit a few bump this season, but the Blue Devils have won three straight entering the contest. Coach K's troops are also extremely tough to topple in front of the Cameron Crazies. In their last 63 games on home court, the Blue Devils have won 60 with just 3 losses. Over that span Blue Devils are 33-26-3 against the betting line.
Home court advantage along with being one of the better teams in the country on offense (84.3) will play a significant role in Duke winning this contest. However, you bet Blue Devils at some risk. Since the 2001-02 campaign, Duke has won twelve consecutive regular season games on Cameron Indoor Arena hardwood vs. Virginia but the Blue Devils certainly haven't followed in that same vein when adding the great equalizer (spread) posting a 2-9-1 record at the betting window.