Connecticut Huskies at Marquette Golden Eagles, Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI
Tuesday, January 25, 2011, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN3
Opening Line: Marquette -4
Current Line: Marquette -4
Opening Total: 143
Current Total: 144.5
Money Line: Marquette -175 / UConn +155
The fifth-ranked Connecticut Huskies (16-2, 4-2 Big East) bring a five-game winning streak into Milwaukee for this conference clash with the Marquette Golden Eagles (13-7, 4-3) on Tuesday. The Huskies have dropped two of their first three road games in league play while the Golden Eagles (-4) are 3-0 straight-up and against the spread at home against Big East foes.
Marquette has also played UConn tough recently, going 3-2 SU and ATS in the last five meetings. The Golden Eagles are 7-1 ATS in their last eight lined games overall with the lone loss coming at Notre Dame on Saturday (80-75). Like their fellow Cheeseheads the Green Bay Packers, they have even been close in all of their losses – six of seven have been decided by five points or less with the biggest margin coming in an 89-81 loss at Pittsburgh on January 8.
At home, Marquette has been extra tough with an 11-1 record and the only setback coming against in-state rival Wisconsin (69-64). The team’s three home wins against Big East opponents have been decided by an average of 19 points, capped by a 94-64 blowout of DePaul last Tuesday.
Connecticut has had the luxury of playing three of its last four games at home after playing three of four on the road, taking full advantage of that situation. The Huskies suffered both of their losses during that previous stretch on the road at Pittsburgh and Notre Dame before reeling off five straight wins. They are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a 72-61 win over Tennessee on Saturday.
UConn’s leading scorer Kemba Walker was held to a season-low 16 points against the Volunteers due mostly to poor shooting. Walker made just 6 of 18 shots from the field but dished out seven assists, his second-highest total of the season. Jeremy Lamb also scored 16 points while Roscoe Smith and Alex Oriakhi each added 12.
The Huskies have relied on strong defense during their current winning streak, holding opponents to 63.2 points per game on 38.3 percent shooting from the field. They will face a tough challenge here against a Marquette squad that is averaging 85.1 points per game at home with the OVER cashing in four of six lined games there. The UNDER is 4-0 in UConn’s last four games after four straight OVERS, and the OVER is 5-0 in the past five meetings between the teams.
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