Creighton vs Louisville Prediction 3/20/25 College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Creighton vs Louisville prediction for this College Basketball game on Thursday, March 20th at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this game in the 1st Round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Creighton Bluejays Betting Preview

The Creighton Bluejays are 24-10 (15-5) this season after they lost to St. John’s by a score of 82-66 in the Big East Championship game. Creighton led 28-25 at halftime, but they allowed 57 points in the second half in the loss. The Bluejays shot 43.3% from the field, 23.1% on three-pointers, and 50% on free throws in the game. Ryan Kalkbrenner led Creighton with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Jackson McAndrew added 14 points and six rebounds in the game. 

Prior to that tough loss, the Bluejays defeated UConn by a score of 71-62 and DePaul by a score of 85-81. Creighton has won four of their last five games and they finished second in the Big East standings with a 15-5 record. The Bluejays have non-conference wins over Kansas and Notre Dame while losing to Nebraska by 11, Texas A&M by four, Alabama by eight, and San Diego State by 18. Creighton has scored 75.2 points per game and they have allowed 69.5 points per game, while also averaging 37.7 rebounds and 17.1 assists per game this season. Ryan Kalkbrenner is averaging 19.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, while Steven Ashworth is averaging 16.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game this year. Creighton is shooting 47.5% from the field, 73.3% on free throws, and 33.9% on three-pointers this season. 

Louisville Cardinals Betting Preview

The Louisville Cardinals are 27-7 (18-2) this year after they lost to Duke by a score of 73-62 in the ACC Title game. Louisville led 38-33 at halftime, but they were outscored 40-24 in the second half for the loss. The Cardinals shot 39.1% from the field, 26.9% on three-pointers, and 50% on free throws in the game. Terrence Edwards Jr. led Louisville with 29 points and six rebounds, while Chucky Hepburn added 14 points and four rebounds in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Cardinals defeated Clemson by a score of 76-73 and Stanford by a score of 75-73. Louisville has won 11 of their last 12 games and they finished tied for second in the ACC standings with an 18-2 record. The Cardinals have non-conference wins over Indiana and West Virginia while picking up losses to Tennessee by 22, Oklahoma by five, and Ole Miss by 23. Louisville has scored 78.6 points per game and they have allowed 68.9 points per game, while also averaging 37.4 rebounds and 14.0 assists per game this season. Terrence Edwards Jr. is averaging 16.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game, while Chucky Hepburn is averaging 16.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game this year. Louisville is shooting 45.4% from the field, 74.4% on free throws, and 33% on three-pointers this season. 

Why Creighton will beat Louisville 

• Creighton has won each of its last four games against the Atlantic Coast Conference at neutral venues.
• Louisville has lost four of its last five day games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• Louisville has lost the first half in seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.

Total Points Facts

• Twenty-six of Louisville’s last 29 games against the Big East Conference Conference have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.
• Each of Creighton’s last four games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents has produced a total of 148+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Louisville ranks 26th among Division 1 teams for point differential per game this season (+10.8).
• Louisville ranks 29th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throws made per game this season (10.9).
• Creighton ranks 362nd among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (3.6).
• Creighton ranks 362nd among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (7.8).

David Racey is 35-12 (74%) in College Basketball over the last seven days. Click here for his premium plays for today!

Creighton vs Louisville Prediction 

This should be a fantastic matchup to start the Tournament on Thursday afternoon, as both teams lost in their conference championship games. Creighton has won four of their last five games, but they have had consistency issues and barely beat DePaul just three games ago. Louisville has won 11 of their last 12 games, but they had a close call with a below-average Stanford team three games ago. Creighton is the better shooting team and I really like the duo of Kalkbrenner and Ashworth. This is going to be a tight game to the very end, but I think Creighton gets the job done behind a huge game from Kalkbrenner. 

David Racey's Pick: Creighton ML