College Basketball Pick: #13 Louisville Cardinals at Pittsburgh Panthers

The first time the #13 Louisville Cardinals (14-4 Overall, 4-3 ACC) met the Pittsburgh Panthers (12-7 Overall, 1-5 ACC) this season, the Cardinals were victorious 85-80. That was on Jan. 11 in Louisville. Tonight, January 24 at 7 p.m. ET, the two teams meet again. This time they will battle at Peterson Events Center in Pittsburgh, and the Panthers are looking for a much different outcome. Our Louisville plays Pittsburgh college basketball free pick has the Cardinals at -6.0 and the over/under at 143.5.

The Cardinals, who are fifth in the ACC, have lost to conference opponents #12 Virginia, #23 Notre Dame, and last week to #10 Florida State. Along with beating conference opponent Pittsburgh, Louisville has been victorious over #7 Duke, Georgia Tech, and Clemson.

In their six conference games, the Panthers managed one upset. That was an 88-76 win over #11 Virginia. Along with losing to the Cardinals, Pittsburgh’s losses include a very close 78-77 game with #24 Notre Dame. Other losses were to Syracuse, Miami, and NC State.

#13 Louisville Cardinals

Guards Donovan Mitchell (13.4 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 38 FG%) and Quentin Snider (12.1 PPG, 4.0 APG, 37 FG%) anchor the Louisville outside game. Snider’s sinking 37% of his threes. Forwards Deng Adel (10.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 38 FG% ) and Jaylen Johnson (8.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 61 FG%) are major contributors inside with the latter connecting on 61% of his shots. Also in the frontcourt, Ray Spalding (6.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG), also a 61% field goal shooter, and Mangok Mathiang (6.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG) offer solid productivity.

Pittsburgh Panthers

The Panthers have two dynamic players in the frontcourt. Jamel Artis (22.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.3 APG) and Michael Young (21.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.1 APG) are both solid shooter and fine playmakers. Artis is hitting 52% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc. Young an accurate shot too, hitting 47% of his field goals and 41% from the three-point mark. Guards Cameron Johnson (11.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 44 FG%) and Chris Jones (6.8 PPG, 2.4 APG, 48 FG%) anchor the backcourt. Sheldon Jeter (7.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 39 FG%) is a 40% three-point shooter.

Louisville Plays Pittsburgh College Basketball Free Pick

Some stats that may influence the outcome of this game include Pittsburgh’s 72% free throw mark versus Louisville’s 68% rate. The Cardinals are averaging 2 more fouls per game than the Panthers. Pittsburgh is also a more accurate field goal shooting team and three-point club. From the field they’re knocking down 46% and 38% from the arc. Louisville is good 44% of the time from the court and 34% from downtown.

Louisville is plus-three over Pittsburgh in blocks and steals and plus-four on rebounds. Pittsburgh holds the edge in scoring, coming in at plus-three on points, the Cardinals are allowing opponents 62.8 PPG while the Panthers are giving up 76.3.

Our Louisville plays Pittsburgh college basketball free pick is the over at 143.5. Plus, we’re taking Pittsburgh at +6.0

Louisville Plays Pittsburgh College Basketball Free Pick: Over 143.5 points and Panthers at +6.0