The Chattanooga Mocs and the Louisville Cardinals meet Friday in college basketball action from KFC Yum! Center. Chattanooga is coming off a blowout opener win over Covenant to start the season at 1-0. As for Louisville, they were able to eke out a win over UMBC in their first game of the year. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Chattanooga Mocs 

The Mocs weren’t able to get close to their 2021-22 record (27-8) last season, ultimately finishing 18-17 overall with a 7-11 record in the Southern Conference. Chattanooga landed just three spots out of the basement in the standings, but had a nice run in the conference tournament. The Mocs posted wins over VMI, Samford and Wofford before falling to Furman in the championship. 

This year, Chattanooga started out the season with a big victory over Covenant. The Mocs were up by 22 points at the half and increased that margin in the second during an 89-44 blowout. Jan Zidek was the team’s leading scorer on 25 points and six rebounds. Tyler Millin added 13 points with eight boards as well. 

Louisville Cardinals 

Over on the Louisville side, they’re trying to move past last year’s ugly campaign. The Cardinals set plenty of dubious records on the way to a dismal 4-28 overall mark and a 2-18 run in ACC games. Louisville ended up in dead last place with that result (obviously) and fell to Boston College 80-62 in their first game of the ACC tourney. 

The Cardinals were able to get a victory over UMBC in their first action of the season on Monday, but it didn’t come easily. Louisville was down 48-40 by the break, but surged with 54 points from there in a comeback win 94-93. Mike James doubled up on 25 points with 10 rebounds, while JJ Traynor posted 13 points with three rebounds. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to try the Mocs in this one. Chattanooga was able to handle Covenant easily in their opener, shooting 54.2 percent from the field with 55 rebounds and 18 team assists. The Mocs weren’t great from 3-point range (28.6 percent) or the line (68.0 percent), but at least some of that can be attributed to garbage-time shenanigans. 

As for Louisville, they shot pretty well overall (50.0 percent) in their win versus UMBC but also allowed the Retrievers to shoot 50.7 percent overall and 52.4 percent (11-of-21) from 3-point range. Chattanooga is going to have to sharpen up their outside shooting in this one, but I think they can keep up a cover pace.