/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11174207/20130407_jla_am8_003.0.jpg)
Despite nearly getting upset in Saturday's national semifinal game against Wichita State, the Louisville Cardinals still enter Monday night's NCAA Championship as a four-point favorite over Michigan, according to the gambling website PreGame.com.
For more on the story, visit Card Chronicle and Maize 'N Brew
The Cardinals enter the title game off a narrow four-point win over the Shockers on Saturday, Louisville's closest win of the entire tournament.
And when the Cardinals do return to the court against the Wolverines, they'll need a better effort from their starting back-court of Peyton Siva and Russ Smith than they got on Saturday. In the win over Wichita State, the pair combined to shoot just 7 of 26 from the field, with seven total turnovers.
Meanwhile for the Wolverines to pull the upset, they'll try to control the paint with star freshman Mitch McGary.
McGary has had a coming out party in this postseason, with three double-doubles overall and 16.4 point and 11.6 rebound averages through five NCAA Tournament games. McGary forms a formidable inside-out punch with guard Trey Burke, who on Sunday was named the Naismith Award winner.
Tip-off for Monday night's championship game is set for 9:23 p.m. ET and can be seen on CBS.
More in College Basketball:
• 10 things to know about Michigan vs. Louisville
• Pitino vs. Beilein: A contrast of styles
• 5 thoughts on Final Four Saturday
• Spencer Hall: A field guide to Atlanta
• Louisville, Michigan fans out in full force
• Living and playing basketball with cancer