Memphis Tigers at #4 Louisville Cardinals
KFC Yum! Center – Louisville, Kentucky
Saturday, December 17, 2011, 4:00 pm Eastern, TV: CBS
Opening Line: Louisville -8 1/2
Current Line: Louisville -7 1/2
Opening Total: 135
Current Total: 136
Opening Money Line: Louisville -400 / Memphis +325
Current Money Line: Louisville -400 / Memphis +325
The 5-3 Memphis Tigers travel to long time rivals the #4 Louisville Cardinals who are 9-0 this season. Memphis, coached by Josh Pastner, has losses to Michigan and Georgetown in the Maui Invitatational and last Sunday to undefeated Murray St. The Tigers have wins over Belmont, Tennessee in Maui, and Miami-Florida. Louisville is coached by Rick Pitino, and has wins over Butler, Long Beach St, and Vanderbilt. Louisville leads the series against Memphis 51-34, including 30-11 in Louisville. These two teams were former conference rivals but haven’t played since Louisville left Conference USA for the Big East in 2005.
Memphis is outscoring opponents 81-72 this season. The Tigers are shooting 48.7% from the field, including 38.9% from 3 point range. Memphis makes 69.7% of their free throws. The Tigers average 34.8 rebounds a game, and have a rebounding margin of -2.9. Memphis averages 14.5 assists, 12.4 turnovers, 8.8 steals, and 6.1 blocks a game. Tiger opponents are shooting 40.5% from the field including 32.4% from 3 point range. Memphis forces 15.4 turnovers a game.
Memphis sophomore guard Will Barton averages 20.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks a game. He leads the Tigers in scoring and rebounding. Joe Jackson averages 13.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1 steal a game. Adonis Thomas averages 9.1 points and 3.3 rebounds a game. The top three scorers all shoot at least 35.7% from 3 point range. Tarik Black averages 8.4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block a game. Charles Carmouche averages 8.3 points, 3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 2 steals a game to lead the team. He was suspended for the Murray St game for violating team rules, and is questionable for this game. Chris Crawford leads the team in assists with 3.9 a game, and Stan Simpson leads the team in blocks with 1.3 a game. Forward Ferrakohn Hall is out indefinitely due to eligibility issues.
Louisville is outscoring opponents 72-53 this season. The Cardinals are shooting 45.2% from the field including 31.7% from 3 point range. Louisville makes 68.2% of their free throws. The Cardinals average 40.9 rebounds and have a rebounding margin of +7.3. Louisville averages 14.7 assists, 13.7 turnovers, 8.6 steals and 4.4 blocks a game. Cardinal opponents are shooting 34.6% from the field, including 30.5% from 3 point range. Louisville forces 17 turnovers a game.
Louisville guard/forward Kyle Kuric averages 12.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.8 steals a game. Chris Smith averages 10.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Peyton Siva averages 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.9 steals a game. He leads the team in assists and steals. Gorgui Dieng averages 9.9 points, 9 rebounds to lead the team, 1.4 assists, and 2.3 blocks a game to lead the team. Chane Behanan averages 9.2 points, and 8.1 rebounds a game. Guard Elisha Justice is questionable with a broken nose. 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 4-2 against the spread and the total is 1-5 this season. Memphis is 3-4 ATS and the total is 5-1-1 this season. The Tigers are 4-1 ATS as an underdog, 8-22-1 after failing to cover, 7-21 in non-conference games, 1-4 against teams with winning records, 0-3-1 after a straight up loss, and 0-4 against Big East teams. The Cardinals are 11-4 ATS overall, 8-3 after a straight up win, 10-4 as a favorite, 1-4 against teams with winning records, and against Conference USA teams.
Memphis has played a much tougher schedule, than Louisville. The Tigers were a pre-season top ten team, but three tough losses to likely NCAA tournament teams have dropped them out of the top 25. Louisville hasn’t played a team as talented as Memphis this season. I think Louisville wins a close game, but Memphis covers the spread.
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