Creighton Bluejays Vs. Louisville Cardinals: Prediction, Betting Tips
The upcoming NCAA Tournament first-round matchup between the Creighton Bluejays and the Louisville Cardinals promises to be an exciting contest. As the No. 8 seed, Louisville (27-7) will face off against the No. 9 seed, Creighton (24-10), on March 20, 2025, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. This game is set to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams bringing their unique strengths and strategies to the court.
Game Overview Date and Time: March 20, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. ET Venue: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky Broadcast: CBS Team Performance and Recent Form Creighton Bluejays: Overall Record: 24-10 Conference Record: 15-5 (Big East) Recent Form: 4-1 in the last five games Key Players: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Jackson McAndrew, Steven Ashworth Louisville Cardinals: Overall Record: 27-7 Conference Record: 18-2 (ACC) Recent Form: 4-1 in the last five games Key Players: Terrence Edwards Jr., Chucky Hepburn, Khani Rooths Statistical Comparison Offensive and Defensive Stats: Statistic Creighton Bluejays Louisville Cardinals Points per Game (PPG) 75.2 78.6 Points Allowed per Game (PAPG) 69.5 68.9 Field Goal Percentage (FG%) 43.3% 39.1% Three-Point Percentage (3P%) 23.1% 26.9% Free Throw Percentage (FT%) 50% 50% Rebounds per Game (RPG) 37.7 37.4 Assists per Game (APG) 17.1 14.0 Betting Odds and Tips Current Betting Odds: Spread: Louisville -2.5 Total Points (Over/Under): 145.5 Moneyline: Louisville -141, Creighton +119 betting site with bonuses Insights: Against the Spread (ATS): Louisville has a 20-14 ATS record, while Creighton is 20-13-1 ATS this season. Over/Under (O/U): Louisville games have gone over the total in 12 games, while Creighton games have gone over 16 times. Moneyline: Louisville has been the moneyline favorite 26 times this season, winning 22 of those games. Key Matchups and Analysis Guard Play:The matchup between the guards will be crucial.
Louisville's Terrence Edwards Jr. and Chucky Hepburn have been instrumental in their team's success, providing scoring and playmaking abilities. On the other hand, Creighton's Steven Ashworth will need to step up and control the tempo for the Bluejays. Rebounding Battle:Both teams are evenly matched in terms of rebounding, with Creighton averaging 37.7 RPG and Louisville 37.4 RPG. The battle on the boards will be a key factor in determining the outcome of the game. Players like Ryan Kalkbrenner and Khani Rooths will play pivotal roles in securing rebounds and providing second-chance opportunities. Three-Point Shooting:Creighton relies heavily on their three-point shooting, averaging nearly 28 attempts per game but converting only about 34%.
If they have an off-day from beyond the arc, it could spell trouble for the Bluejays.