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Sienna vs. Louisville NCAA Tournament betting odds were quite lopsided with the Cardinals listed as the -11 point favorites. This was the second most bet on game heading into Sunday after Syracuse vs. Arizona State at Sportsinteraction.com.
Sienna was a number 9 seed. Louisville is the top seed in the 2009 NCAA Tournament.
"A Sienna win would pretty much break every remaining bracket out there," said Don Shapiro of Gambling911.com.
Even experienced teams come unglued against Louisville's full-court defense. It's a big reason why the Cardinals (29-5) are the tournament's top overall seed, the driving force during their 11-game winning streak.
It's something the Saints (27-7) have never experienced.
"It's hellacious pressure on the ball," Siena coach Fran McCaffery said.
Louisville is ninth in the nation in steals with 9.3 per game and fifth in blocked shots. The Cardinals press full-court, aiming not so much to rattle opponents as to wear them down. Senior guard Andre McGee locks onto the ball handler, and the long-armed players at the back of the press make sure no one gets a layup even if they break through.
They change the press depending upon how the opponent reacts and keep running in fresh players so it doesn't lose its intensity. Usually by the second half, teams are worn down and the Cardinals are on a game-turning run.
"It's definitely my best (pressing team) at Louisville," said coach Rick Pitino, in his eighth season. "I think that it's a different type of press we're using now than some of the other presses we've used. We don't trap as much as we run and jump and change positions."
While Louisville is certainly an intimidating opponent, having won the Big East regular-season and tournament titles, the Saints don't play scared, writes Shannon Ryan of the Chicago Tribune.
"Siena played against six teams during the regular season that made the NCAA tournament field, including Pittsburgh, Oklahoma State and Kansas. Part of the reason behind the scheduling was for money and television exposure, but also because coach Fran McCaffery had faith that his lineup could compete with the most talented teams in the country."
Gambling911.com Staff
