Breaking Down the Sweet 16: Louisville v. Tennessee

Now we're getting somewhere! Tennessee is chalk full of athletes who do nothing but wear their headbands like dipshits and run. Louisville, while not a high scoring team, has some serious athletes on their squad as well and get it done defensively. Tennessee comes into this one with a mediocre win over American 72-57 (did not cover) and an OT victory against a good Butler team 76-71 (cover city!). Louisville has been on a mission: 79-61 over Boise St. and 78-48 over a physical Oklahoma squad.

The Vols are high-flying and high-scoring averaging 82 points on the year which was good for fifth in the NCAA. However, Tennessee has yet to find their stride in the Tourney and really have been just doing enough to get through their games. Wayne Chism is a monster averaging 16 pts and 6 rebounds through the first two rounds, and Jajuan Smith and Tyler Smith are not far behind with their production. The problem for the Vols is the lack of Chris Lofton. Yes, he is playing, but he has been hampered by injury and scoring more than 10 below his average.

Louisville, on the other hand, is a well-oiled machine. The Cards have the 19th ranked D and have definitely been flexing that muscle in the first two rounds. The 'Ville has been led by its sophomore guards Earl Clark and Jerry Smith, averaging 14pts, 6rebs and 12pts, 2rebs, respectively. However, as mentioned, this team wins games with defense and they have a pretty good coach on their bench too.

Vegas has it at Louisville -3 and the total at 145. This is a tough one to call if you ask RTB, but we are in the business of making picks that millions blindly follow, so...Tennessee is on fumes and Louisville is playing some of their best hoops this year; Tennessee has not been scoring and the Cards are locking down. Louisville 77 Tennessee 72.