USF Bulls vs. Louisville Cardinals: NCAA Tournament First-Round Preview and Betting Tips
The USF Bulls and No. 24 Louisville Cardinals are set to face off in a first-round NCAA Tournament game at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET on TNT. South Florida, the No. 11 seed, enters the tournament with momentum after winning the American Conference Tournament and securing their first conference title in 36 years. Led by Wes Enis and Izaiyah Nelson, the Bulls have won 11 consecutive games and tied a program record with 25 wins this season.
Louisville, the No. 6 seed, is coming off a loss to Miami in the ACC quarterfinals and will be without standout freshman Mikel Brown Jr. due to a back injury. Despite this setback, coach Pat Kelsey has led the Cardinals to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in his career. Louisville has a strong history in the tournament, reaching the Elite Eight and Sweet 16 in previous years.
Louisville has a dominant record against USF, holding a 29-4 advantage in their all-time series. The last meeting between the two teams was in 2014, with the Cardinals securing a decisive victory. The upcoming matchup presents an interesting clash between the Bulls' recent success and the Cardinals' tournament experience.
In terms of betting odds, USF is listed as the underdog at +165, while Louisville is favored by 4.5 points. Given USF's strong defensive play and current form, they are a solid option to cover the spread. Additionally, with both teams trending towards lower-scoring games recently, the under 163.5 points is a favorable bet.
USF's ability to control the tempo and limit scoring, combined with Louisville's offensive challenges without Brown, make the under a logical choice. For more sports betting insights and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Stay updated on the latest NCAA Tournament action and betting opportunities by following SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook.
In conclusion, the upcoming USF vs. Louisville matchup in the NCAA Tournament promises an exciting showdown between two competitive teams. With USF's strong defensive play and Louisville's offensive struggles, the game is likely to be closely contested. Betting on USF to cover the spread and the under on total points could be profitable options for this matchup.