Duke vs. Louisville Prediction and Odds (Buy Low on Cards After Mack Firing)

It has been a long season for the Louisville Cardinals, who fired coach Chris Mack this week after an 11-9 start to the 2021-2022 season.

The Cardinals have dropped five of six games including a blown lead last week at home to Notre Dame, but now they will move now be coached by interim head coach Mike Pegues for the rest of the season.

It'll be a tough ask for the team to handle these distractions with the vaunted Duke Blue Devils coming to town. However, could the hosts get a bounce with the coaching change and a possibly rejuvenated roster.

Here are the odds for this Saturday ACC matchup from WynnBET Sportsbook.

Duke vs. Louisville Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

• Duke: -6 (-115)
• Louisville: +6 (-105)

Moneyline:

• Duke: -270
• Louisville: +215

Total: 142 (Over -110/Under -110)

Duke vs. Louisville Prediction and Pick

This is a rock bottom price for Louisville and they are the side I lean given Duke's struggles on the road this season. The Blue Devils are 1-2 in true road games this season and Louisville should bring an all out effort after being embarrassed in the past week.

There is talent on this Louisville roster, but the wheels have come off. However, I worry about the Blue Devils traveling well given they will be without their lead guard Trevor Keels, who is still battling a lower leg injury that is likely to hold him out of his third straight game.

Louisville is strong on the interior with a top 30 defensive rebounding rate and top 70 two-point defense this season, which could play a role against a Duke team that likes to score from two-point range.

This is a lofty price to play Duke and I actually think Louisville gives a solid effort here despite all the external factors playing against them.

LEAN: Louisville

All of Reed's college basketball plays can be tracked here, his best bets column for college basketball is 26-34-3 for -10.4 units.