Today’s College Basketball Picks South Carolina State vs Louisville Prediction 11/3/2025

Get ready, college hoops fans! Monday night features an intriguing match-up as the South Carolina State Bulldogs head to the KFC Yum! Center to take on the Louisville Cardinals. We're here to dive deep into this game, break down the betting angles, and figure out exactly where the smart money should go. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just looking for a winning wager, stick around as we make our official South Carolina State vs Louisville prediction and lock in the best pick for this showdown!

South Carolina State Bulldogs Team Preview

The South Carolina State Bulldogs had a solid run last season, finishing as MEAC regular-season co-champs with a 20-13 record, though their non-conference schedule was definitely a tough gauntlet.

Unfortunately, their great momentum—including a nine-game win streak—ended in a brutal 66-65 loss to Norfolk State in the MEAC Championship game. Now, looking ahead to this season, it’s a major reload situation: the Bulldogs lost their top five scorers and three starters, including big names like Drayton Jones and Mitchell Taylor.

The offense will rely heavily on returners like Colin McKenzie (5.8 PPG) and Florian Tenebay (4.0 PPG) to step up in a big way if they want to build on last year's success. This is a team with a lot of new faces, which is something bettors absolutely need to keep in mind.

The Louisville Cardinals

Team Preview

The Louisville Cardinals had a fantastic 2024-25 season under Pat Kelsey, finishing 27-8 overall and second in the tough ACC. While they came up short in the ACC Championship to Duke and got bounced early by Creighton in the NCAA Tournament, the foundation is strong.

However, bettors should note a significant roster overhaul: the Cards lost major production with leading scorer Terrance Edwards and reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Chucky Hepburn, both moving on.

But don't count them out! Coach Kelsey hit the transfer portal hard, bringing in elite talent like projected one-and-done star Mikel Brown Jr. and veteran sharpshooters to reload for a run at the ACC title. This is a highly talented, but largely new-look, Louisville squad with huge expectations.

South Carolina State vs Louisville Game Prediction

The Pick: Louisville -32.5 -110

We're rolling with the Louisville Cardinals in this matchup, and it's a confident pick. Coach Pat Kelsey's squad is absolutely loaded with talent this year, boasting a stacked backcourt and solid depth across the board. They are expected to be sharp right out of the gate. On the flip side, the South Carolina State Bulldogs are facing a major rebuild after losing their top five scorers—a tough blow for any program. While the Bulldogs do have some nice depth that will serve them well later in the season, we simply don't see them having enough firepower or cohesion this early to keep pace with a reloaded, high-powered Louisville team. Expect the Cardinals to handle their business and cover the spread convincingly at the KFC Yum! Center.