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College Basketball Betting – Massachusetts Minutemen at Louisville Cardinals

College Basketball Betting â'' Massachusetts Minutemen at Louisville Cardinals Two teams are struggling for an identity meet in the Blue Grass State for a non-conference match-up. Massachusetts arrives with an 8-2 record, with all wins against primarily a whoâ''s-who in college basketball. In this case, itâ''s who is that team the Minutemen are playing? Louisville lost a great deal of talent from a season ago and was forced to play twelve games in December due to Freedom Hall having prior commitments in November, leaving many wondering what the Cardinals really have. Former Kentucky guard Travis Ford was brought to the Amherst campus to regain the past glories of the John Calipari era. Though those expectations may be a bit unrealistic, Ford understands he has to win now for impatient alumni. UMass has a number of good players that are effective in the paint and low blocks. Stephane Lasme and Rashaun Freeman have been garnering the lionâ''s share of attention from opposing teams. Both are defensive demons who can be effective near the basket offensively. In both the losses Massachusetts has suffered, solid play from the point guard position and a lack of production from the backcourt has been the story. Transfer Gary Forbes was supposed to be the answer; however has struggled with his shot being more of a natural small forward, now playing guard. Louisville is trying to get healthy on the run. Rick Pitino has been forced to start freshmen guards due to injury. Now senior Brandon Jenkins is nearly fully recovered from off-season knee surgery and is ready to compete. Sophomore Andre McGee is progressing and should be back in time for Big East action. David Padgett has been sucking it up, playing through pain after knee surgery and appears to be gaining strength game by game to be more of a presence. The Cardinals will need him tonight, along with a superb effort from Juan Palacios. Freshman sensation Derrick Caracter needs more discipline on the defensive side to stop committing silly fouls and let his offensive skills come naturally, instead of trying to force shots. Louisville is opening as a 6.5 point home favorite, based on reputation and UMass weak non-conference schedule. The Cardinals have not had much success, being overvalued in non-league play with a 4-12 ATS record over the past couple of seasons. The upside has been the â'˜Ville is 6-1-1 against the number as a home favorite in most recent games. Massachusetts needs to control tempo and not give up easy baskets to Louisville who prefers the transition game. By forcing a slower tempo, they can make the Cardinals less patient in the half court game which was proven in Louisville losses to Dayton and Arizona. The Minutemen are 5-2-1 ATS against teams from the Big East conference. Even with light card of college basketball action each team might well look back on this game as a determining factor as how there respective season played out come March. www.sportsbook.com