Louisville vs. Michigan Official Game Thread

[IE]

Michigan has looked like a team of destiny at times over the past couple of weeks, but hasn't Louisville, as well? The Wolverines are getting outstanding play from Mitch McGary while Trey Burke has been amazing at times and ordinary at others, especially against Syracuse.

Louisville is playing with the emotion of losing Kevin Ware to a leg injury, but missing his minutes could catch up to the Cardinals. An outstanding matchup between two of the most talented teams in the country.

 

[ocballer]

Let's go Louisville!!

 

[IE]

COMPUTER RANKINGS
Michigan: #2 with Sagarin, #5 with Pomeroy
Louisville: #1 with Sagarin, #1 with Pomeroy

Michigan has surged all the way up to #2 with Sagarin...which is what happens in a tight field when one team keeps winning! Pomeroy still has them down at #5, below Gonzaga! Both would agree that this is a great matchup fitting for a tournament finale.

COMPUTER STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE RANKINGS
Michigan: #7 with Sagarin, #8 with Pomeroy
Louisville: #10 with Sagarin, #12 with Pomeroy

Great schedules for both teams. Michigan's had the tougher pathway in the tournament, which may prove important because Louisville hasn't played a superpower beyond Duke in this event...and Duke has a recent history of getting blown off the floor by quality in the Dance. As impressive as Wichita State has been in the tourney, beating Wichita State, Duke, Oregon, and Colorado State isn't the same as a grand slam of Syracuse, Florida, Kansas, and VCU.

WON-LOST RECORDS VS. SAGARIN'S TOP 50
Michigan: 13-6
Louisville: 15-4

Both teams have played 19 games vs. the top 50, which is brutal. Both teams have excelled vs. those challenges. Louisville is the superior side over the full campaign. Are they playing superior ball right now?

POMEROY'S ADJUSTED OFFENSE RANKINGS
Michigan: #1
Louisville: #5

Michigan found a lot of ways to score vs. that tricky Syracuse zone. But, they had real trouble making free throws! That's the only time they were unguarded. Fatigue may have been an issue in the final minutes, which is very bad news if you're hoping to beat Louisville two days later. Both of these teams have good offenses. Michigan deserves the nod on paper. Just remember that Louisville's offense is in bounce-back mode after their starters played poorly, while Michigan's offense might be in letdown mode after two strong (in context) performances vs. Syracuse and Florida.

POMEROY'S ADJUSTED DEFENSE RANKINGS
Michigan: #32
Louisville: #1

Big edge to the Cardinals here. They can be in trouble if the refs call a game very closely, which happened Saturday vs. Wichita State. Michigan better hope it's the same kind of refs Monday Night! It's very difficult to score on Louisville if they're allowed to grab you all over the floor.

POMEROY'S ADJUSTED TEMPO RANKINGS
Michigan: #207
Louisville: #125

Michigan is the slower of the two by a good bit, though their players don't mind playing at tempo. The problem is they become prone to foul trouble in an up-and-down pace. If the Wolverines aren't cognizant of that, this game could get away from them. Pace will be important.


--here and there sources around the web.

 

[IE]

I am going w/ Louisville

played them -3? -110


enjoy the game.

 

[WildBillPicks7]

Great info IE!! Thanks for sharing!!

Momentum, Atlanta, and having been there before in the Championship (Rick Pitino) may give them a 2 pt edge as well, just hope the zebras don't let undercuts happen and blow the whistle instead of sucking in their air, like they did Michigan vs Syracuse!!

Should be an enjoyable evening, it will be better winning the bets too!!

:toast:

 

[IE]

Referees for tonite's game will be John Cahill of Albany, N.Y., Tony Greene from Atlanta and John Higgins from Omaha.


In the 78 games Cahill has officiated this season, his crews avg 32.8 fouls per gm and gave out 17 technicals fouls.

In the 72 gms Greene has worked this season, his crews avged 35.2 fouls a game and gave 15 technicals this season.

In the 92 gms Higgins has officiated this season, his crews avged 33.9 fouls a game and handed out a hefty 35 technicals.

 

[bake2252]

I guess it's a lock on Louisville? Good luck

 

[IE]

The spread has come into play only once in the last 13 NCAA national championship games.

 

[Mr. Poon]

Huh, so I guess the Cards can't hit the 3 as well.

 

[bleedingpurple]

Louisville playing a little sloppy for a championship game. College hoops not what it used to be years ago

 

[Mr. Poon]

Louisville playing a little sloppy for a championship game. College hoops not what it used to be years ago

That's Ville's style though, they are going to have some out of control moments but it typicallly works out in the end for them.

 

[bleedingpurple]

That's Ville's style though, they are going to have some out of control moments but it typicallly works out in the end for them.

I guess that's true they play so psychotic at times that I would imagine it would hard to keep control..

Thinking this one slips away from the Wolverines.

 

[Mr. Poon]

opcorn2

 

[Mr. Poon]

good game, Ville hitting some outside shots.