It will be a battle between ACC opponents when the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-5, 1-3 ACC) welcome the No. 13 Louisville Cardinals (12-3, 3-1 ACC) to Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. The game will air on ESPN at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 11, 2020.
Louisville Cardinals vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Prediction
In the Cardinals’ last game, they beat the Miami (FL) Hurricanes, 74-58. Louisville’s 23.1 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over Miami (FL), who had a mark of 15.2. The Cardinals’ mark was below their season average of 33.8, while the Hurricanes’ was below their season average of 23.6. Louisville was lifted by Jordan Nwora, who was the game’s high scorer with 19 points on 6-for-12 shooting.
The Fighting Irish lost to the North Carolina State Wolfpack in their last outing, 73-68. North Carolina State’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Notre Dame. The Wolfpack posted a mark of 10.2 (stronger than their season average of 14.6), while the Fighting Irish had a rate of 18.6 (above their season average of 11.8). With 14 points and 14 rebounds, John Mooney had a solid game for Notre Dame.
After the Cardinals won both games against the Fighting Irish last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent matchup, Louisville won 75-53. The Cardinals had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.462 vs. 0.291) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (38.5 vs. 28.6).
Notre Dame could put on a ball-control clinic in this contest. Notre Dame ranks first in the country at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 14.2 percent), while Louisville forces the 13th-fewest turnovers (16.4 percent).
Louisville vs. Notre Dame ATS Pick
Prediction: ATS Winner – Louisville, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Louisville ranks 28th in rebounds per game (40.3) while Notre Dame ranks 239th in rebounds allowed per game (39.4).
The Fighting Irish average 28.7 three pointers per game, which ranks 14th in the country. The Cardinals rank 201st in three pointers allowed per game (24.1).
Louisville ranks 25th in assists allowed per game (9.9) while Notre Dame ranks 161st (13.6).
The Fighting Irish rank 43rd in blocks per game (4.4) while the Cardinals rank 124th (2.9).
Notre Dame allows the 23rd-fewest steals per game (5.1) while Louisville ranks 43rd (5.5).
The Cardinals’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.2, down from 14.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Fighting Irish have scored an average of 74.6 points per game (1.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 67.8 points per game (2.3 above their season average).
