Louisville Cardinals vs Utep Miners Picks and Predictions December 11th 2024

UTEP Looks to Extend Winning Streak Against Struggling Louisville

UTEP (6-2) heads to Louisville on Wednesday, riding the momentum of a three-game winning streak and seeking to capitalize on a short-handed Cardinals squad. Louisville (5-4) is looking to end its own three-game skid but faces an uphill battle as injuries have thinned its rotation and tested its resilience.

UTEP’s Balanced Offense Fuels Success

UTEP has been on a roll, with its most recent win being an 88-72 dismantling of Seattle on Saturday. The Miners shot an impressive 56.1 percent from the field and dominated the first half, using a 24-2 run to put the game out of reach early.

Head coach Joe Golding called the first half UTEP’s best performance in his four years at the helm:
“I thought offensively and defensively the first 20 minutes we were really locked in and ready to go. Our ball movement was terrific.”

Ahamad Bynum led the way with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting off the bench, while Otis Frazier III contributed 18 points and five assists. Both players are key contributors in a balanced Miners offense, with Frazier averaging 13.6 points per game and Bynum adding 12.1.

Bynum has been particularly effective from beyond the arc, leading the nation with a staggering 63.3 percent 3-point shooting percentage, albeit on limited attempts (19-for-30).

Industry’s Best

Handicapping Membership

Get Free Trial

Louisville’s Depth Issues and Resilience

Louisville enters the matchup after a 76-65 loss to No. 9 Duke on Sunday. The Cardinals started strong, making 10 of their first 14 shots to build a 30-16 lead. However, fatigue and limited depth took their toll as Louisville shot just 24.3 percent in the second half.

Terrence Edwards Jr. led the Cardinals with 21 points in his first game coming off the bench this season. Edwards (11.9 points per game) is one of four Louisville players averaging double figures, alongside Chucky Hepburn, who leads the team with 14.3 points and 3.2 steals per game, ranking second nationally in steals.

Head coach Pat Kelsey has faced challenges maintaining an up-tempo style with a depleted roster. Louisville has lost swingman Kasean Pryor (knee) and guard Koren Johnson (shoulder) for the season, while forward Aboubacar Traore is out indefinitely with an arm injury.

Kelsey hinted at exploring roster additions to address the team’s depth issues:
“We’ll scour every inch of the Earth to figure out how we can improve our team. Whether that happens or not, I have no idea, but I’m willing to try anything.”

Keys to the Game

For UTEP, continuing their efficient shooting and defensive focus will be critical. The Miners’ balanced scoring attack and Bynum’s sharpshooting make them a tough matchup for a short-handed Louisville team.

Louisville must find a way to sustain energy and production for a full 40 minutes. Edwards and Hepburn will need to lead the charge, while the Cardinals’ defense must contain UTEP’s shooters and prevent second-chance opportunities.

Check out the latest John Wooden Award Odds & Predictions for detailed analysis and updates.

The Matchup’s Stakes

This game presents an opportunity for UTEP to build on its momentum and further solidify its strong start to the season. For Louisville, a victory would provide a much-needed morale boost and show resilience in the face of adversity. Both teams have something to prove, setting the stage for a competitive clash in the Derby City.