The underdog Wichita State Shockers will be looking for another NCAA Tournament upset on Saturday as they take on Louisville at the Georgia Dome in a Final Four odds matchup at the sportsbooks.
And they have been very tough as a big dog, going 12-4 ATS in 16 games as a dog of 8.5 points or more since 2003.
Wichita State continued their run in the Elite Eight over the weekend, paying off for their supporters against Ohio State with a 70-66 victory. Top overall seed Louisville, meanwhile, easily covered a 4-point spread in a 85-63 win against Duke last game.
And Louisville has been dominant as a favorite, rolling up a 9-1 ATS record in their past 10 games in this situation. Final Four trends also point to the Cardinals winning here as higher seeds; they are 12-1 SU since 2005 in games facing lower seeds.
The Shockers will try to spoil to the party on Saturday; they are 20-14-1 ATS against the number this season, while the Cardinals are 23-14-1 ATS. Wichita State is 17-17 on the totals; Louisville is 19-16.
View Wichita State vs Louisville Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
The Shockers were listed as 9.5-point underdogs at many online sportsbooks such as Sportsbook, but it climbed during the week. The total was 132 earlier at Sportsbook, watch for updates this week before tipoff.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game puts the Cardinals, most recently No. 1 in the Odds Shark power rankings, up against the Shockers, who rate No. 27 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and computer-based handicapping simulations run on this game predict a potential 82-75 victory for the Cardinals.
How They Match Up:
Scoring and defensive stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features Louisville's No. 31-ranked scoring average of 74.3 PPG, against a Shockers defense rated No. 42 and allowing 60.9 PPG. The Cardinals FG% has averaged 45.6% to date this season, more than the Shockers shooters have managed so far (44.1% per game).
Defensively, Wichita State features the nation's No. 66-rated defense on the road, allowing 64.8 points per game. Louisville, meanwhile, comes in at No. 59 nationally in scoring at home.
Wichita State was a 70-66 Sportsbook in their most recent outing on the road against Ohio State. They covered the 5-point spread as underdogs. Malcolm Armstead scored 14 points leading the Shockers to a 70-66 victory over Ohio State at Staples Center on Saturday.
Louisville was an 85-63 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against Duke. They covered the 4-point spread as favorites. Louisville cruised to victory on Sunday, running Duke out of the gym and running up an 85-63 score at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Wichita State Shockers Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
After a win are 8-2
Louisville Cardinals Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
After playing Duke are 1-0
After a win are 10-0
A few Shockers at Cardinals trends to consider:
Louisville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Louisville's last 5 games
