Sports Betting Picks – Can Connecticut Surprise Louisville On The Road?

With the NBA at its All-Star break, this weekend’s Sports Betting calendar has a decidedly college hoops feel to it.

No game is more important than one played Friday night, when the Connecticut Huskies travel to Louisville to take on the Cardinals.

No. 12 Connecticut Huskies (20-5 SU, 12-7 ATS) at No. 16 Louisville Cardinals (19-7 SU, 12-10-1)

Friday, February 18: 9:00 p.m. ESPN

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College Basketball Betting Odds:

Connecticut: +3 ½

Louisville: -3 ½

With both these teams ranked in the Top 15, and vying for a top seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, you already know this one will be a thrill. Then again, if it’s anything like the last time these two teams played, it may become an instant classic.

That’s because when these two got together on January 29th, it was maybe the best college hoops game of the season. UConn took a five point lead to the half, and led by nine with just over seven minutes to go. But behind Peyton Siva’s 19 points and seven assists, Louisville battled back, eventually winning 79-78 in overtime.

And really, Siva has been the story of this season for these Louisville Cardinals. The sophomore from Seattle has been as good as anyone nationally in keeping his team focused and playing well, as he’s averaging 10.8 points and 5.3 assists per game.

Those numbers may not jump out at you, but watch Siva play, and you’ll be impressed. In the paint, Louisville has one of the dominant big men in all the Big East, with Terrence Jennings averaging 10 points, five rebounds and about two blocks per game.

Of course to simply lock-in Louisville as your Friday night Sports Betting pick would to be completely undervalue what UConn has done all year. They’re a stellar 12-7 against the spread, with as impressive wins as anyone. They’ve beaten No. 2 Texas in Austin, and No. 14 Villanova at home. And they’re coming off a spectacular win Wednesday night over a tough Georgetown team.

And it was that win where guard Kemba Walker re-entered himself into the discussion for National Player of the Year. The junior guard played maybe his most complete game of the season, putting up 31 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds against a solid Georgetown defense.

Also, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the sudden emergence of Jamal-Coombs McDaniel, who has averaged 24 points over the last two games. As great as Walker was, UConn wouldn’t have beaten Georgetown without him.

Ultimately what this game comes down to though is hunger, which is why we’ve got to give the edge to the Huskies.

For starters, UConn is coming off that solid win against Georgetown, while Louisville just played one of their worst games of 2011 at Cincinnati Wednesday night. The Cardinals lost 63-54 in a game that wasn’t even as close as the score would indicate.

Really though, this is about revenge. UConn had the game in their hands the first time these two got together, and let it slip away. They won’t let it happen again, especially if Walker plays anything like he did on Wednesday evening.

Louisville may be at home, and may be the hot team. But it will be UConn’s edge which carries them to a Sports Betting victory Friday night. Get your wager in now!

College Basketbal Sports Betting Pick: Connecticut +3 ½