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Sixth place in the ACC takes on seventh place in the Big Ten when Louisville meets Minnesotain an NCAA tournament East regional bout Thursday afternoon in Des Moines (12:15 pm ET, CBS). The Cardinals are favored by a handful on the NCAA tournament betting board, but the Gophers are playing the better ball as of late. Who do we like for our free NCAA tournament pick?
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The Line<br />
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The NCAA tournament betting odds opened Louisville at -5 over Minnesota, with an over/under of 134. In early betting action, the spread was holding steady, while the total jumped to 136.
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Bettors wishing to eschew the spread could get the Cardinals at around -215 on the money line, with the Gophers getting upwards of +185 to win this game outright.
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<h2>
Cardinals-Gophers Betting Preview<br />
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No. 7 seed Louisville (20-13 SU, 17-15-1 ATS) struggled a bit down the stretch this season, losing four of its last five games to finish 10-8 in an ACC that sends seven teams to the Big Dance. The Cardinals then beat Notre Dame 75-53 in the second round of the ACC tournament, then lost to North Carolina in the quarterfinals 83-70. Nonetheless, Louisville is back in the NCAA tournament after missing out last season.
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No. 10 seed Minnesota (21-13 SU, 17-17 ATS) won two of its last three games to finish 9-11 in a Big Ten that sends eight teams to the Dance. The Gophers then outlasted Penn State in double-overtime in the second round of the Big Ten tournament, then upset Big Ten regular-season co-champion Purdue in the quarterfinals 75-73. Minnesota then got mugged by Michigan in the semifinals 76-49 but nonetheless is also back in the NCAA tournament after missing out last season.
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NCAA Tournament Betting Trends<br />
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On the season the Cardinals are 5-10 SU, 7-7-1 ATS against teams that made the NCAA tournament, with wins over Michigan State, Seton Hall and North Carolina and close losses to Marquette, Florida State, Duke, and Virginia.
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Louisville is also 5-4 ATS this season when favored by single digits.
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The Gophers are 5-9 SU, 7-7 ATS this season against teams that made the Dance, with wins over Washington and Wisconsin and two over Purdue.
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Minnesota is also 9-7 ATS this season as an underdog.
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Recent History<br />
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These programs met most recently four seasons ago, an 81-68 Cardinals victory. But that outcome means absolutely nothing as far as handicapping Thursday's game goes.
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Totals Report<br />
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The unders are 18-15-1 in Minnesota games this season, which are averaging 140 total points. Unders are also 5-3 over the Gophers' last eight games.
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The unders are 18-14-1 in Louisville games this season, which are averaging 142 points. Unders are also 6-2 over the Cardinals' last eight games.
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<p><section></p>
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<span style="font-size:16px;"><b><span style="color:#008000;">Get more details:</span></b> <a class="advblue" href=" https://www.sportsbettingstats.com/ncaab/matchup/1104438"&gt; Louisville vs Minnesota NCAAB Tournament Match-up </a> </span>
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