Joe D'Amico's Big East Game of the Year

Syracuse vs. Louisville, 03/16/2013 20:30 EDT, Score: 61 - 78

Point Spread: -5/-106 Louisville

Sportsbook: Pinnacle

Result: Win

Today's winner is Louisville over Syracuse. This is my Big East Game of the Year.

This will be the last time Syracuse will be in a Big East Title game. The Orange have split their L8 games, going 4-4 SU and 3-5 ATS, getting outrebounded in five of the eight contests. This is a good team but four players average between 30 and 35 minutes played per game and after a physical OT showdown with Georgetown last night, the 'Cuse will be exhausted come the 2nd half. They don't have the greatest shooting squad at 44.1% in FGs, 33.1% in 3-pointers, and a dismal 68.3 % from the line. Louisville is making their third straight appearance in this Title game and their fourth over the last five seasons. The Cardinals won 9 straight coming in to this matchup, going 7-2 ATS, and outscoring opponents by an average of 13.7 PPG. UL can score (73.4 PPG) and are solid on the boards. But it is their swarming defense that will frustrate the Orangemen. The Cards have four players averaging DDs and let's face it, they have the superior edge in coaching. The Orange are 2-8-1 ATS their L11 games played vs. the Cardinals and 2-5 ATS their L7 games played against teams with a winning percentage of over .600. The Cardinals are 6-0 ATS their L6 games played vs. the Big East and 13-3 ATS their L16 games played on neutral sites. Take Louisville. Thank you.