Friday, March 28, 9:45 PM on CBS

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Opening Lines & Odds - Louisville -5 -- Over/Under: 138.5

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

It could be the most anticipated matchup of the Sweet 16 with Rick Pitino and the Louisville Cardinals (31-5) taking on John Calipari's Kentucky Wildcats (26-10). There's no love lost between either coach and when these in-state rivals get together it's always popcorn-worthy.

The #4 seed Cardinals are a lot of experts' dark horse pick to escape the Midwest Bracket, especially with #1 seed Wichita State being eliminated. Louisville is in the midst of a 7-game win streak and was fairly convincing in the tournament's first weekend. Thursday's opening game saw a 71-64 Cardinal win over Manhattan that wasn't enough to cover the -16 point spread. Russ Smith had 18 points while the hero of last year's tournament Luke Hancock chipped in 16. A 15 point win over Saint Louis on Saturday rewarded backers of Louisville and the -9.5 spread. Hancock scored 21 points including 4 three's to pace Louisville's entrance into the Sweet 16.

Kentucky escaped a tight 1st round game against Kansas State with a 56-49 win that allowed them to cover the -6 point spread by a single point. Julius Randle and Andrew Harrison accounted for 37 of the Wildcats' 56 points while Randle also pulled down 15 boards. The dream was over for Wichita State in round two when UK ended the Shockers' 35 game win streak. Andrew Harrison notched 22 points to lead four Kentucky players in double figures.

It's a short 3-hour trip from the state of Kentucky to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the site of Friday night's game so both teams should have equal fan attendance. The oddsmakers have banked on the cream rising to the top and the 31 win Cardinals ending Kentucky's improbable run as 5 point favorites.

ATS Trends

Kentucky is 17-15-2 ATS this season

Kentucky is 12-15-2 against the over/under this season

Louisville is 20-14-0 ATS this season

Louisville is 14-13-1 against the over/under this season

Injuries to Watch

Kentucky 

03/24/14 G Andrew Harrison Elbow probable Friday vs. Louisville

Louisville 

12/31/13 F Chane Behanan Dismissed has been dismissed
12/30/13 G Kevin Ware Shin out for season

Josh's Pick: Take Kentucky

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