The Louisville Cardinals and the Miami Hurricanes meet Saturday in college basketball action from BankUnited Center. Louisville comes into this one at 3-21 overall. The Cardinals lost to Pittsburgh in their last game. As for Miami, they’re sitting at 19-5 on the year after a win over Duke. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Louisville Cardinals
Needless to say, it’s been a lost season for the Cardinals. Louisville didn’t get their first wins until mid-December versus Western Kentucky and Florida A&M in consecutive games. A victory over Georgia Tech on February 1 is the only other bright spot so far.
In the Pittsburgh matchup on Tuesday, Louisville was demolished 47-27 by halftime. The Cardinals fell further behind on a 44-30 second-half deficit and lost 91-57. Mike James topped the team on 11 points and four rebounds.
Miami Hurricanes
Over on the Miami side, they were sitting at a solid 14-3 at the 17-game mark this year. The Hurricanes have gone 5-2 since then with wins over Syracuse, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Clemson and Duke in that time.
On Monday versus Duke, the Hurricanes took a 40-26 edge into the second half. Miami cruised on a 41-33 advantage from there and won it easily 81-59. Norchad Omier led the way on a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll stick with Miami. The line's a little too thick to mess with, though. The Hurricanes are coming off a routine win over a good Duke team in their last outing. Miami shot a nice 47.8 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from 3-point range and 90.9 percent (10-of-11) from the line in that one—and Duke’s 21 turnovers certainly helped as well. The Hurricanes are 4-1 in their last five games, scoring 68 points or more in all five of those outings. the last time these teams met up on December 4 at KFC Yum! Center, the Hurricanes cruised to an easy 80-53 win. Louisville probably won’t get close in this one either, so the only question will be the margin of victory. Unless the Cardinals catch up in garbage time, Miami should be in full control.
