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Pitinos clash in Minnesota vs. Louisville Friday
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Published: 11/14/2014  at  4:48:00 AM
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MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS (0-0)

vs. LOUISVILLE CARDINALS (0-0)

U.S.C.G. Air Station Borinquen, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Tip-off: Friday, 7:00 p.m.
Line: Louisville -8

The 2014-2015 season gets underway on Friday as Rick Pitino's Louisville squad takes on son Richard Pitino's Minnesota team at the U.S.C.G. Air Station Borinquen in Puerto Rico.

The Gophers (17-17-1 ATS) had a great end to the 2013-2014, as they defeated SMU in the postseason NIT game. Even better for the team is that they are bringing back all but one starter. The next step for Minnesota is to get back to the NCAA tournament, as they were able to play in the big dance two seasons ago. The team showed last season in the Big Ten that they can play with the best teams, as they posted wins against Wisconsin, Ohio State and Iowa. What doomed the team is a 3-7 stretch in February that cost the team a tournament berth. If Minnesota can avoid a losing streak like that, they will be in the tournament. The game on Friday gives them an opportunity for a huge non-conference win, against a Cardinals team that has national title aspirations. Louisville made it to the Sweet 16 last season, losing to eventual national runner-up Kentucky. The Cardinals (19-15-1 ATS) lost some key seniors from last year’s but still bring back a team fully capable of making a run to a national championship. Joining the ACC will make things a little more difficult, but Louisville will be more tested when it gets to the postseason.

Which Pitino-led school will win ? For the latest college basketball picks, check out The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks. The experts are coming off an unbelievable 2013-14 college basketball season where the five men combined for a 60% ATS record (332-225-19), including 62% ATS (56-35-3) in the NCAA Tournament. StatFox Brian led the way with a 69% ATS record (76-34-4) on this season, which included a 77% ATS run (44-13-4) from Jan. 17 to the end of the season. StatFox Dave was 74% ATS (14-5) in Best Bets for the 2014 NCAA Tournament to finish at 62% ATS for the season. StatFox Scott finished 59% ATS (65-46-5) for season Best Bets, while StatFox Gary was close behind with a 57% ATS mark (64-49-2) in college basketball Best Bets.

With four starters coming back for the Gophers, there are big expectations for the team. Leading the way is Andre Hollins (13.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.4 APG), who will look to improve on a tough shooting junior campaign. If he can get his shooting percentages back to where they were his sophomore year, then Hollins could see his scoring up to 18-20 ppg. Joining him in the backcourt is Deandre Mathieu (12.0 PPG, 4.2 APG and 2.7 RPG), who is a heady point guard who knows how to play the game. While he can get a little careless with the basketball sometime, he does a nice job of getting the team into their offensive sets. In this game especially, the frontcourt of PFs Maurice Walker (7.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 56% FG) and Joey King (7.1 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 48% FG) and 6-foot-11 C Elliott Eliason (5.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG) will have to be on top of their game against one of the best players in the country.

Montrezl Harrell (14.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG and 1.3 BPG) is one of the top shot-blockers in all of the country, and has improved big-time on the offensive end of the court. If he is able to get some early offensive rebounds, the Golden Gophers could be a world of trouble. With his ability to block shots, it allows the Cardinals to play the type of pressure defense that makes them so tough to score on. While Russ Smith is no longer on the team, guards PG Chris Jones (10.2 PPG, 2.9 APG) and SG Terry Rozier (7.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 37% threes) bot have the speed to get after it on the defensive end. Rozier had a huge summer, and that should give him a lot of confidence headed into this game. Jones, on the other hand, is one of the stronger guards in college basketball. He will look to drive the ball, and can finish at the rim against bigger players. Tempo will play a huge role in this game, and could go a long way in determining who wins this game.


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