I am louisville homer, but wanted to hear everyone's take on this game tommorow night.
I think Tenn will have problems with Louisville's inside offense (padgett, caracter, palacios, and earl clark). Personally, i think earl clark has been louisville's MVP in the tourney so far. louisville needs another big game from him tommorow. their bench depth for their big men clearly favors louisville here in my opinion.
louisville's key on defense will obviously be to contest Lofton & smith's shots from the perimeter. The cards can not afford to let those two get open looks from 3 point range, or they will knock them down and make them pay. if they continue to play the 2 - 3 zone like they have so far, louisville's guards should be able to get in lofton and smith's faces all night.
I also think the tempo is key in this game. Tenn loves to run and gun. While louisville has proven they can play a up and down tempo, or half court game, i personally think they have a better shot in this one if they can slow down the tempo some what. of course, the key to that is their full court press. Tenn loves to press as well, but tenn's press focuses on turnovers, while louisville tries to slow you down coming up the floor so that when you get to half court, you only have 20 seconds left on the shot clock.
The other key to this game in my opinion is the offensive boards. i don't see how louisville keeps up their amazing shooting percentage from the first 2 games of their tourney run so far, which means that dominating the offense glass and producing chances for 2nd and 3rd shoots to generate points is going to be crucial. Of course i would love it if they can shoot 50% from the field in this one
but i wouldn't count on it.
at the end of the day, i think TWill, Clark, and Padgett will all have big games. I think louisville's bench is too deep, and i think their defense shows up and pressures Tenn into bad shot selection as the Cards advance to the Elite 8 and a date with UNC or Wash St on Saturday.
PLAY
Lville -2.5
Under 145
BOL to everyone this weekend, i am pumped for the games tommorow night.
I think Tenn will have problems with Louisville's inside offense (padgett, caracter, palacios, and earl clark). Personally, i think earl clark has been louisville's MVP in the tourney so far. louisville needs another big game from him tommorow. their bench depth for their big men clearly favors louisville here in my opinion.
louisville's key on defense will obviously be to contest Lofton & smith's shots from the perimeter. The cards can not afford to let those two get open looks from 3 point range, or they will knock them down and make them pay. if they continue to play the 2 - 3 zone like they have so far, louisville's guards should be able to get in lofton and smith's faces all night.
I also think the tempo is key in this game. Tenn loves to run and gun. While louisville has proven they can play a up and down tempo, or half court game, i personally think they have a better shot in this one if they can slow down the tempo some what. of course, the key to that is their full court press. Tenn loves to press as well, but tenn's press focuses on turnovers, while louisville tries to slow you down coming up the floor so that when you get to half court, you only have 20 seconds left on the shot clock.
The other key to this game in my opinion is the offensive boards. i don't see how louisville keeps up their amazing shooting percentage from the first 2 games of their tourney run so far, which means that dominating the offense glass and producing chances for 2nd and 3rd shoots to generate points is going to be crucial. Of course i would love it if they can shoot 50% from the field in this one
but i wouldn't count on it.at the end of the day, i think TWill, Clark, and Padgett will all have big games. I think louisville's bench is too deep, and i think their defense shows up and pressures Tenn into bad shot selection as the Cards advance to the Elite 8 and a date with UNC or Wash St on Saturday.
PLAY
Lville -2.5
Under 145
BOL to everyone this weekend, i am pumped for the games tommorow night.
as we speak.
Dont know who to go with here, Looks to be one of the best games slated for the next 2 days....Probably have to side with the Big East though I dont know if ill throw the money at em....
