After hundreds of practices, hours of training and shooting drills and a long journey to the NCAA Championship, the biggest day of the season is finally here. Today, we’ll see a champion crowned when the Michigan Wolverines meet the Louisville Cardinals at the Georgia Dome.
The two best programs in the country are just one win away from claiming the national title. In one hand, Louisville had a tremendous season and relayed on their best game right when it mattered most. The Cards, winners of 18 of their last 19 games, have simply rocked their way through the tournament. Louisville posted wins vs. Duke (85-63) in an Elite Eight game that will be remembered most for the shocking injury sustained by forward Kevin Ware, and against NC A&T (79-48), Colorado State (82-56) and Oregon (77-69) in the Midwest Region. Last Saturday, the Cards sealed their ticket to the final game of the season after overcoming a double digit point deficit to beat the Wichita State Shockers in one of the closest games of the Tournament.
In the other hand, the Michigan Wolverines paved the way to the Final Four by posting wins over South Dakota State (71-56) and VCU (78-53) followed by an overtime win against Kansas (87-85 OT). The team finally earned the trip to Atlanta by beating Florida (79-59) to finish off South Regional action. Last Saturday, Michigan posted a 61-56 win against the Syracuse Orange to advance to the National Title Game.
Without a doubt, the two programs are playing the best game in the NCAA and both deserve the title. The Cards with Russ Smith and Peyton Siva have experience and leadership qualities. Michigan with Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. found the confidence and balance to break any opponent.
Even so, the Cardinals enter tonight’s game as 4-point favorite to win this game. But considering the strengths and weaknesses of each team, online sports betting fans would need extra time to analyze the odds on this game. Keep in mind the fact that Michigan will deal with some of the best pressure defense in the nation and that Louisville would need to double its effort to stop a highly inspired Michigan offense.
Michigan’s Mitch McGary, who did not even join the starting lineup full time until the beginning of the Tournament, will be a presence in the post on both ends of the floor, and Nik Stauskas will get back to the shooting that has defined him at his best this year. Michigan will get huge moments from players like Albrecht, Levert, and Morgan, who was almost sidelined after the emergence of McGary, but has always been a key member of the Wolverines.
The Cardinals have shown off their ability to win in different styles during the NCAA Tournament. After running Duke off the floor in the second half of the Elite Eight, Wichita State forced Louisville to slow the pace and would not turn the ball over, leaving the Cardinals to play more of a half court game. That turned out to be the ideal way to Hancock more involved, and the junior swingman helped Louisville overcome a 12-point second-half deficit. Of course, Smith added 21 points as well and will be a key to keeping Hardaway Jr. and Glenn Robinson from slashing to the hole. Smith has scored at least 20 points in each of the five NCAA Tournament games and combines with Siva to form one of the fastest backcourts in college basketball and a tandem that jumps passing lanes and piles up steals defensively.
Despite the result, Michigan and Louisville have the chance to explode their potential and provide college basketball fans with the most entertaining game this college basketball season.
Want to bet on this game? Enjoy college basketball betting at its best at Sports Betting Online. Join now and receive 10% cashback every week.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete