The Syracuse Orange (18-14, 11-10 ACC) go head-to-head against the No. 15 Louisville Cardinals (24-7, 15-5 ACC) in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tourney at Greensboro Coliseum. The game can be seen on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 12, 2020.
Syracuse Orange vs. Louisville Cardinals Betting Prediction
In the Orange’s last contest, they blew out the North Carolina Tar Heels, 81-53. The Orange forced 18 turnovers, while the Tar Heels had a free throw rate of 0.183 (below their season average of 0.230). With 27 points on 9-for-20 shooting, Elijah Hughes was the top scorer from either team.
The Cardinals lost a tough one against the No. 22 Virginia Cavaliers in their last outing, 57-54. Virginia’s free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Louisville. The Cavaliers had a rate of 0.326 (above their season average of 0.187), while the Cardinals posted a mark of 0.137 (below their season average of 0.238). With 18 points on 6-for-17 shooting, Jordan Nwora was Louisville’s high scorer.
It might turn into a high-scoring affair as a pair of the NCAA’s top offenses go head-to-head. Louisville currently ranks 34th with 110.3 points per 100 possessions and Syracuse is 54th (108.8). Ball security should be an advantage for the Orange. They rank 43rd at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.6 percent). Conversely, the Cardinals force the 75th-fewest turnovers in the nation (opponents’ turnover percentage of 17.6 percent).
Syracuse vs. Louisville Betting Pick
College Basketball Pick: ATS Winner – Louisville, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Louisville ranks 32nd in assists allowed per game (10.5) while Syracuse ranks 273rd (17.2).
The Cardinals rank 40th in rebounds per game (38.6) while the Orange rank 241st in rebounds allowed per game (37.1).
Syracuse averages 24.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 59th in the NCAA. Louisville ranks 226th in three pointers allowed per game (23.5).
The Orange rank 34th in blocks per game (4.5) while the Cardinals rank 161st (2.7).
Syracuse averages 7.4 steals per game, which ranks 66th in the NCAA. Louisville ranks 94th in steals allowed per game (6.0).
The Orange’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.4, up from 5.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cardinals have scored an average of 70.2 points per game (3.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 62.4 points per game (1.3 below their season average).