Unbeaten at home this season, the third ranked (12-1, Conf: 0-0) Kentucky Wildcats [-9.5] welcome the dangerous No.4 team in the nation in the betting odds underdog (12-1, Conf: 0-1) Louisville Cardinals [+9.5]. This will be a battle of two great teams and great coaches, as John Calipari faces Rick Pitino for the first time.
According to college basketball picks specialists, the projected OVER/UNDER line for Louisville and Kentucky is set at a combined total of 160 points. This game?s opening tipoff is scheduled for Saturday at Noon from Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY.
?Similarities? We?ve both taken three teams to the Final Four, we both got fired in the NBA and we?re Italians with big noses,? Calipari said. ?I respect what he?s done, respect the program, respect the city and the school.?
For the Cardinals, this team is coming off its first loss of the season to the 12th ranked Georgetown. After a sizzling 12-0 start, which was highlighted by a victory over No.20 Vanderbilt, Louisville was stunned by the Hoyas, 68-71. The Cardinals had control of the game for the entire first half and portions of the second. Nevertheless, the John Thompson?s bunch picked up the intensity and the pace in the second half, and Louisville couldn?t match it.
?This is very disappointing,? said Cardinals guard Chris Smith. ?This is our first loss at home. It?s sad.?
For my pick for this game, the Wildcats, they come into this game unbeaten at home, and looking for a fifth straight win. Much like Louisville, Kentucky began the season on a tear, winning its first 8 games before falling at Indiana by a point. Since then, Calipari?s squad has gotten right back on track and sit atop the SEC Conference standings.
The NCAA basketball odds favorites are sure to have their hands full against Pitino and Calipari go head-to-head in a great battle of two of the very best in the game. The two were recently seen exchanging words during a basketball game, which has stirred lots of controversy. With much speculation about what their conversation was about, Calipari took it upon himself to clear the air.
?We don?t send Christmas cards, but we?re cordial to each other,? Calipari said. ?I went up to him, talked to him, told him he?s doing a fabulous job with his team, the way they?re playing, blah, blah, blah. And he said, ?Your team?s really good and dah, dah, dah.? OK? He said ?I hope we beat you? and I said ?I hope we beat you? and I went and got a Diet Coke. That was about it. I don?t know what to tell you.?
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Submitted by Anthony Mason on Sat, 12/31/2011 - 8:02am.
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