20* Pitt/Louisville ESPN Big Monday No-Brainer on Louisville -6

Pittsburgh vs. Louisville, 01/28/2013 19:00 EDT, Score: 61 - 64

Point Spread: -6/-108 Louisville

Sportsbook: 5Dimes

Result: Loss

The Louisville Cardinals are going to be highly motivated for a win tonight as they host the Pittsburgh Panthers. In fact, I believe they will be giving more effort to get a win in this game than in any other contest all season.

Louisville comes in on a 3-game losing streak with three straight heartbreaking defeats to Syracuse (68-70), Villanova (64-73) and Georgetown (51-53). It hasn't lost four straight games in a single season in nine years.

"We have to get this win. It's a must game for us," head coach Rick Pitino said. "Because four (losses in a row), now you're on the verge of getting a sub-.500 record in the league, and you don't want to mess with that."

I believe Pittsburgh comes in overvalued due to its 4-game winning streak. Those four wins came against a soft schedule in Villanova, UConn, Providence and Depaul. Remember, this is the same Pittsburgh team that opened 1-3 in Big East play with losses to Cincinnati, Rutgers and Marquette.

The Cardinals are 9-1 at home this season. They are outscoring opponents by 21.9 points/game at home this year. They are 8-0 ATS after having won 15 or more of their last 20 games over the last 2 seasons. The Panthers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following a SU win of more than 20 points.

Louisville is 11-1 ATS when playing its 2nd game in 3 days over the last 3 seasons. This is always one of the most well-conditioned teams year in and year out under Pitino because they have to be to be able to run his full-court press. Bet Louisville Monday.