Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at #4 Louisville Cardinals
KFC Yum! Center – Louisville, Kentucky
Friday, December 23, 2011, 7:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN2
Opening Line: Louisville -26
Current Line: Louisville -25
Opening Total: 132 1/2
Current Total: 133
Opening Money Line: Louisville -13650 / Western Kentucky +7350
Current Money Line: Louisville -11375 / Western Kentucky +6125
The #4 Louisville Cardinals are 11-0 this season under coach Rick Pitino, one of 6 undefeated teams left in college basketball. The Cardinals host Commonwealth rival Western Kentucky Friday night. The Hilltoppers are 4-8 this season under coach Ken McDonald. Western Kentucky has losses to St Joseph’s, Tulsa, LSU, VCU twice, Murray St, IUPUI, and last Saturday at home against Furman. The Hilltoppers have wins over Bowling Green and Southern Illinois. Louisville has wins over Butler, Long Beach St, Vanderbilt, Memphis and Charleston. Western Kentucky leads the series 39-35 against Louisville. Louisville won last year 114-82.
Western Kentucky is being outscored 67-60 this season. The Hilltoppers are shooting 37.8% from the field including 28.8% from 3 point range. WKU makes 64.7% of their free throws. The Hilltoppers average 35.9 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of -0.4. WKU averages 10.2 assists, 17.5 turnovers, 4.3 blocks, and 5.7 steals a game. Hilltopper opponents are shooting 42% from the field, including 34.1% from 3 point range. WKU forces 15.2 turnovers a game.
WKU guard Derrick Gordon averages 10.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists to lead the team in all three categories. T.J. Price averages 9.7 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists a game. He is shooting 41.2% from 3 point range. George Fant averages 8.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.5 steals to lead the team, and 1.4 blocks a game. Jamal Crook, Kevin Kaspar, Kahlil McDonald, and Teeng Akol all contribute tot eh scoring as well. Akol leads the team in blocks with 1.7 a game. Forward Stephon Drane (knee) and guard Caden Dickerson (undisclosed) are both out indefinitely.
Louisville is outscoring opponents 74-57 this season. The Cardinals are shooting 44.5% from the field including 32% from 3 point range. Louisville makes 68.5% of their free throws. The Cardinals average 41.3 rebounds and have a rebounding margin of +6.6. Louisville averages 14.6 assists, 14 turnovers, 9.5 steals and 4.9 blocks a game. Cardinal opponents are shooting 35.6% from the field, including 33.7% from 3 point range. Louisville forces 17.5 turnovers a game.
Louisville guard/forward Kyle Kuric averages 13.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.8 steals a game. Chris Smith averages 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. Gorgui Dieng averages 10.6 points, 9.7 rebounds to lead the team, 1.4 assists, and 2.9 blocks a game to lead the team. Peyton Siva averages 9.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.9 steals a game. He leads the team in assists and steals. Chane Behanan averages 9.5 points, and 8.1 rebounds a game. Guards Wayne Blackshear (shoulder) and Mike Marra (knee), along with forward Stephen Van Treese (knee) are all out indefinitely or for the season.
Louisville is 4-3-1 against the spread and the total is 2-6 this season. Western Kentucky is 3-8 ATS and the total is 3-8 this season. The Hilltoppers are 7-17 ATS after failing to cover, 7-19 as an underdog, 3-9 overall, 5-16 in non-conference games, 4-14 as a road underdog, 1-4 against teams with winning straight up records, and 1-4 as a road underdog of 13 points or more. The Cardinals are 4-0 ATS against Sun Belt teams, and at home against teams with losing road records, 12-3-1 against teams with losing records, 1-3-1 as a favorite, at home, after a straight up win, in non-conference games, overall, and as a home favorite.
Let’s be honest, the only way Louisville doesn’t crush Western Kentucky is if the Cardinals get distracted by the upcoming Christmas break and their upcoming showdown with Kentucky on New Year’s Eve. Louisville should easily cover this number against a bad WKU team.
