Creighton Bluejays vs Louisville Cardinals Pick – 3/20/2025

The NCAA Tournament's South Region first-round game between the Creighton Bluejays and the Louisville Cardinals is set for Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. This matchup features two teams with impressive seasons, each aiming to advance further in the tournament.

Creighton Bluejays vs. Louisville Cardinals Game Preview

The Creighton Bluejays enter the tournament with a 24-10 overall record and a 15-5 mark in Big East play. Their season concluded with an 82-66 loss to St. John's in the Big East Tournament final, snapping a four-game winning streak. The Bluejays' offense averages 75.4 points per game, shooting 42.7% from the field and 34.4% from three-point range. Defensively, they allow 69.0 points per game, holding opponents to 40.7% shooting overall and 31.9% from beyond the arc.

Key players for Creighton include senior center Ryan Kalkbrenner, who leads the team with 19.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, and guard Steven Ashworth, contributing 16.3 points and 6.8 assists per game. However, the team will be without guard Pop Isaacs due to a hip injury, and guard Fedor Zugic is questionable with an ankle issue.

The Louisville Cardinals boast a 27-7 overall record and an 18-2 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Their season ended with a 73-62 loss to Duke in the ACC Tournament final, halting an 11-game winning streak. The Cardinals' offense averages 79.3 points per game, shooting 45.6% from the field and 33.3% from three-point territory. Defensively, they allow 68.5 points per game, with opponents shooting 42.4% overall and 33.3% from three-point range.

Louisville's offensive attack is led by guard Terrence Edwards Jr., averaging 16.6 points per game, and guard Chucky Hepburn, contributing 16.2 points and 5.8 assists per game. Forward J'Vonne Hadley adds 7.3 rebounds per game. Notably, Louisville does not have any players listed on its injury report.

Betting Insights

According to recent betting lines, Louisville is favored by 2.5 points, with an over/under set at 145.5 points. The Cardinals have covered the spread in four of their last six games, while the Bluejays have an ATS record of 19-13-2 this season. The total has gone under in five of Louisville's last seven games and in four of Creighton's last six games as an underdog.

Creighton Bluejays vs. Louisville Cardinals Prediction

This matchup presents a compelling contrast between Creighton's strong frontcourt presence and Louisville's dynamic backcourt. Ryan Kalkbrenner's performance will be crucial for the Bluejays, especially given the absence of Pop Isaacs. However, Louisville's depth and balanced scoring, combined with their defensive prowess, provide them with a slight edge.

Considering Louisville's recent form, their ability to generate turnovers, and the proximity of the game to their home base, the Cardinals are well-positioned to secure a victory. Bettors might find value in taking Louisville to cover the spread, with the total potentially leaning towards the under, given both teams' recent trends.

Final Prediction: Louisville Cardinals 70, Creighton Bluejays 63.