Northern Kentucky vs. Louisville: 2018 NIT First Round Preview

After a season marred by scandal and turmoil, Louisville will look to finish their season out with an NIT title. Will Northern Kentucky get in the way?

Network: ESPN

Location: KFC Yum! Center (Louisville, KY)

Date: Tuesday, March 13th, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.

How have the Cardinals been playing as of late?

Coming off of the disappointment of falling short of the big dance, the Cardinals will be looking bounce back from their seventeen-point loss in the second round of the 2018 ACC Tournament. The Cardinals have lost five of their last seven and nine of their last fourteen. Furthermore, three of the Cardinals last five losses have been blowouts of fifteen points or more. Luckily for the Cardinals, the Norse are more of the caliber of Georgia Tech and less of the caliber of the Cavaliers.

How have the Norse been playing as of late?

Prior to losing to the Cleveland State Vikings in the first round of the Horizon League Tournament, the Norse had been on a role that included them winning fifteen of their last eighteen and finishing first in the Horizon League. Their season came to a disappointing end when they shot 21% from beyond the arc and two of their starters fouled out. Despite their last performance, look for the Norse to come into Louisville playing as confidently as ever.

Key Player to Watch

Lavone Holland will have a chance to help his team pull off the upset of a lifetime in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky on Tuesday night. The six-foot senior has upped his offensive production over the last three games, averaging six points more than season average.

With the added motivation of playing against his hometown Cardinals, look for Holland to be the offensive leader for the Norse on Tuesday night.

Prediction: Louisville, 73 – Northern Kentucky, 65