With the return of guard Matt Farrell (ankle) from a three-game absence, the line for favored Notre Dame has bumped up 1.5 points. Farrell is worth more than that. His season stat line -- 16 points, five assists, 1.3 steals -- is dazzling. The Irish are still pining for Bonzie Colson, but should have enough against Louisville, which has failed to win straight-up in its six trips to South Bend since joining the ACC, and is on a 2-5 ATS road skid. The Cardinals' interim coach David Padgett has performed admirably, but this is a tough spot against wily counterpart Mike Brey.

Notre Dame's Matt Farrell is likely to return tonight, but teammate Bonzie Colson is out for the season. That's a big blow to the Irish's rating, but it's not showing much with the Irish favored. Notre Dame has lost its last two, and Louisville has played better lately than its rating would indicate, having covered its last four. The Cardinals are the play.