Sign In $
College Basketball

NCAA Basketball Monday’s Betting Preview and Odds for Louisville and Florida State

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
4 minute read

#11 Louisville Cardinals vs. #8 Florida State ESPN Monday!

Operating in relative obscurity at a traditional football power, Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton has had a remarkable run since taking over in 2002. Hamilton also seems to be drinking from the Fountain of Youth as he looks at least 20 years younger than his age of 71 while enjoying the greatest success of his long career.

Florida State is coming off a Sweet Sixteen appearance last year and an Elite Eight run before that. Now FSU is in a three-team battle with Louisville and Duke for first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Hamilton and the Noles have the look of a team that could also be a threat for the Final Four.

Yet another coach is having a remarkable season at Louisville. Chris Mack took over a scandal ridden Cardinals program in 2018 and has quickly jumpstarted it back to national prominence. Just getting the Cards into the Big Dance last year was a notable achievement but this year’s ACC title run is at a whole other level.

Florida State hosts Louisville in one of the biggest college basketball games of the entire season so far on Monday night with coverage on ESPN.

#11 Louisville Cardinals vs. #8 Florida State Seminoles
Date and Time: Monday, February 24. 2020, 7 p.m. ET
Location: Donald L. Tucker Center, Tallahassee, Florida
College Basketball Betting Online Odds at FOX Bet: Florida State -2.5, Total 140.5

Betting Lines provided by FoxBet (NJ and PA only, T&C's Apply, 21+)

Louisville Cardinals vs. Florida State Seminoles TV Coverage: ESPN

Louisville Cardinals vs. Florida State Seminoles Odds Overview

Betting action should be relatively even on both sides. Squares will likely lean with the Cardinals based on their more notable national brand. Offsetting that is Louisville being the road team. Florida State is not as highly regarded on a national level for basketball success despite their recent performance, but they will get some play as the higher ranked home squad. The Seminoles opened -2.5 with a total of 141. Florida State is minus-150 on the money-line (Bet $150 to win $100) while the takeback on Louisville is 6/5 odds (Bet $100 to win $120).

Louisville Cardinals Current Form

Louisville enters this game with a record of 23-5 straight up, 15-12-1 against the spread and 15-12 over the total. The Cardinals have covered three of their last five games and are coming off a 72-55 home payout over North Carolina as 10.5-point chalk. Over the total has paid in four of The Ville’s last nine tilts. Overall national metrics have Louisville ranked 72nd for scoring offense and 38th for points allowed.

Florida State Seminoles Current Form

Florida State has been getting the money lately with four visits to the payout window in their last five games. The Seminoles have also cleared the total in seven of their last 10. FSU now stands at 23-4 straight up, 14-13 against the spread and 16-11 over the total. The Noles rank 71st in the nation for scoring offense and 70th for points allowed. Florida State is coming off a 67-61 win and payout at NC State as 1.5-point chalks.

Louisville Players to Watch

Junior forward Jordan Nwora is the Cardinals top scorer with a career high 18.2 points along with 7.4 rebounds per game. In the payout against North Carolina Nwora had 18 points and 11 boards. Louisville senior forward Dwayne Sutton is averaging 9.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per outing. He contributed eight points and nine boards against UNC. Of concern is the questionable status of center Steven Enoch due to a leg injury. Enoch is averaging 9.6 points with 5.5 rebounds per game.

Florida State Players to Watch

FSU is led by the backcourt tandem of Devin Vassell and Trent Forrest. Sophomore Vassell is averaging a team high 12.9 points to go with 5.3 rebounds per game. Forrest is a senior averaging 11.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.

Louisville and Florida State Against the Pointspread

Louisville is 5-8 vs. the odds on the road with seven of their last 10 away games going over the total. Florida State has paid in only three of their last nine home games with six of their last nine tilts at the Donald L. Tucker Center going over the total.

FSU won the first meeting of the season between these teams 78-65 as 6.5-point road dogs with the game going over the total of 133.5. The Noles have won and covered three of their last four against The Ville with the last three meetings going over the total. However, the Cardinals have left Tallahassee with the cash in four of their last five visits.

Louisville Cardinals vs. Florida State Seminoles Selection Summary

“Defense travels well” and Louisville has plenty of it along with the revenge angle. As mentioned earlier the Seminoles are a weak betting value at home.

Louisville vs. Florida State Free Pick and Score Prediction

Louisville Cardinals +1
Louisville 74, Florida State 71



College Basketball News

VegasInsider Staff

VegasInsider Staff

More from VegasInsider Staff
•