Louisville Cardinals at Seton Hall Pirates Betting Preview
Opening Line: Cardinals +1 / Pirates -1 O/U 162
Time: 7 PM EST Thursday January 21, 2010 on ESPN
Tonight in an important Big East match up for both teams the Seton Hall Pirates host the Louisville Cardinals. This game may be more important for the Pirates, as if they lose they will only be 1-5 in conference play and making it to the Big Dance will be an uphill battle. The Cardinals need to stop the bleeding, as they have lost 2 conference games in a row. After starting the season 8-0 the Pirates have lost 6 of their last 8 games.
This season Seton Hall is 8-3 at home and 3-7 ATS and Louisville is 1-3 on the road and 5-8 ATS.
In their last games Seton Hall lost to Georgetown 85-73 last Thursday night and Louisville lost a tough game to Pittsburgh 82-77 on Saturday.
Seton Hall has a solid offense averaging 84.7 ppg and they are led by solid G Jeremy Hazell (22. 9 ppg). The Pirates also have a legit frontcourt player in F Herb Pope (12.4 ppg). While these guys are the only players for Seton Hall that are averaging in double figures they have 5 players that are averaging 5 ppg - 9.5 ppg.
Much like Seton Hall Louisville has 2 players averaging in double figures and several other guys that score from 5 ppg - 9.5 ppg. The Cardinals are led by F Samardo Samuels (16.3 ppg) and G Edgar Sosa (13.8 ppg).
Samuels (7.8 rpg) and Jared Swopshire (5.9 rpg) have to keep Herb Pope (11.4 rpg) off the boards tonight and not let him dominate the glass.
Both teams can score on the run and the team that can get back on D and not allow easy fast break buckets has a great chance to win this game.
Hazell will be the main focus on defense by the Cardinals so the other Seton Hall players have to help him out on offense.
The Cardinals have a better and more athletic backcourt, so the Pirates have to play solid perimeter defense and not let them bomb away from deep and slash in the lane for easy hoops.
Seton Hall is 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games, 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games against teams in the Big East, and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite. Louisville is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games teams with a winning percentage above .600, and 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games as an underdog of 0.5-6.5.
Our Selection : The Cardinals have lost 3 of 4 games as a visitor this season and now face a team on 6 days rest. Take the Pirates - 1
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