NCAA Tournament: Louisville vs. Minnesota fearless prediction and game preview.
Broadcast
Date: Thursday, March 21
Game Time: 12:15 ET
Venue: Wells Fargo Arena , Des Moines, IA
Network: CBS
All You Really Need To Know About Minnesota (21-13)
(Big Ten), NCAA NET Rank: 61. East 10-seed
So they got rolled by Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament – they went on the run of four wins in five games before that to secure the spot in the fun, including two wins over Purdue. There’s a nice mix of talent, experience, and young pop that can get up and down the floor.
There’s nothing happening from three and there isn’t enough defensive pressure, but they move the ball around, make the extra pass and do enough on the boards to clean up plenty of mistakes. But the Gophers aren’t good on the line, and again, they really, really can’t hit from three.
All You Really Need To Know About Louisville (20-13)
(ACC), NCAA NET Rank: 22. East 7-seed
It’s an interesting team that died down the stretch – losing seven of its last ten games including to North Carolina in the ACC Tournament – but the size and the defense are going to be a major issue in the early rounds.
This is a big group that’s outstanding on the boards and great at coming up with enough blocked shots to keep teams out of the lane – it’s one-and-done on missed shots. Throw in the great free throw ability – with an ACC-leading 78% – and look out.
What’s Going To Happen
Look at the NCAA selection committee getting cheeky by putting Richard Pitino’s Gophers against Louisville. The Cardinals will be great from the outside, and they can hit free throws, too – the Minnesota issues outside will be a killer. Neither team forces mistakes, and points won’t be easy for the two struggling squads.
Fearless Prediction & Line
Louisville 70, Minnesota 67
Line: Louisville -5, o/u: 136
– See Today’s March Madness Lock Winner
ATS Confidence: 2
5: Watching games by Vegas pool working on fruity drink No. 3
1: Watching game online while doing TPS reports in your cubicle
