Cardinals Look for Emotional Sendoff at Freedom Hall

All NCAA basketball betting players can respect the place that Louisville’s Freedom Hall has when it comes to the great college basketball arenas in the country, but it’s preparing to close its doors for the final time this weekend. The Cardinals will get to host the No.1 team in the country, Syracuse, who has nothing left to play for this weekend, and Louisville would love nothing better than to get a famous victory on closing night at Freedom Hall.

Syracuse vs Louisville odds – Saturday, March 6, 2:00 PM ET

The No.1 Orangemen (28-2, 15-2) extended their winning streak to four with an 85-66 rout of St. John’s on the road, and Arinze Oruaku had game highs of 21 points and eight rebounds. Oruaku has stepped up his game with the offensive struggles of Wes Johnson, who notched 13 points against the Red Storm. Johnson has had a tough time shooting the basketball lately, but he’s still contributing in other ways, and he had three blocks at St. John’s. The Orangemen shot 51.7% from the floor, and they’re already in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament as the No.1 seed.

The Cardinals (19-11, 10-7) have lost two of their last three after falling 69-48 at Marquette, but due to their win at Syracuse, a sweep of UConn and wins over teams like Notre Dame and Cincinnati, they should be in the big dance. Still, it’s never good to play like this late in the season, and Edgar Sosa was their high man with nine points as the Cardinals shot 37% from the field, and they went to the free-throw line just two times, making one of their shots.

Odds in your sportsbook (beted reviews) should have the Cardinals as the favorites at home, where they are 14-4 this year. The Orangemen are winless in four trips to Freedom Hall since 2000, and three of the four losses were in double figures. The Cardinals pulled out a 66-60 upset of the Orangemen at Syracuse on Valentine’s Day, getting 12 points from Sosa and Mike Marra, but Louisville held the potent Syracuse offense to 41.4% from the floor.  Even though they were just 9-of-17 from the foul line, they made them down the stretch. This game will be massive, as it’s the last game at Freedom Hall, it’s senior night for Sosa, Reginald Delk, Chris Brickley and Jerry Smith, and it’s the No.1 team in the nation. Syracuse just has revenge left to play for, but this will be Louisville’s night. The Orangemen may get another shot at them in the Big East tournament, but until then, the Cardinals have their number.

College basketball odds pick: Louisville