Diamond Head Classic, Stan Sheriff Center, Honolulu, HI
Butler Bulldogs vs Washington St Cougars
Saturday, December 25, 2010, 9:50 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN2
Opening Line: Washington St -1
Current Line: Washington St -2
Opening Total: 134
Current Total: 135
Money Line: WSU -135 / Butler +115
The 8-4 Butler Bulldogs take on the 10-1 Washington St Cougars in the Championship game of the Diamondhead Classic in Hawaii. Both these teams jumped out to huge leads in the semifinals and held on for tight victories. Butler was up by 15 with 8 minutes to go against Florida St. and held on for a 67-64 win. Florida St pulled within 4 points with a minute to go. However on Florida St’s next inbounds pass, Butler stole the ball and made two crucial free throws. Washington St was up by 20 in the second half against Baylor, and held on for a 77-71 victory. On the season Butler has 4 losses to Louisville, Evansville, Duke, and Xavier. They have won 4 games in a row. Washington st has won 5 in a row since losing at home versus Kansas St December 3. Butler is 39-27 ATS in all neutral court games since 1997. Butler is 6-2 all time in the state of Hawaii straight up. This is the first ever meeting between Butler and Washington St.
The schedule has been very tough so far this season for Butler. Though they have some losses so the season, playing teams like Duke, Xavier and Louisville will help their resume come tournament time and also make them tougher in the long run. Against Florida St, Butler was led by forward Matt Howard and guard Shelvin Mack as they have been the whole season. Howard had 19 points, and 9 rebounds. Mack had 17 points, 5 assists and 3 steals in the game. For the season Howard is averaging 18.4 points and 8 rebounds. Both totals lead the team. During Butler’s 4 game winning streak Howard is averaging 23.8 points a game. Mack is second in scoring with 14.8 ppg. He leads the team in assists with 3.6 a game and steals with 1.3 a game. Both Howard and Mack are 1-2 in some order in every major statistical category on the team. Butler is outscoring opponents 74-64 on the season. Butler is shooting 42% from the field, and 34.1% from 3 point range. The are holding opponents to 41.1% percent shooting from the field. Butler makes 74.4% of their free throws. They average 36 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +2.4. The Bulldogs average 12.3 assists and 10.8 turnovers a game. The Bulldogs average 6.1 steals and 1.7 blocks a game.
Washington St has been hovering around the top 25 all season. If they win this game they will probably make the top 25 in the next poll. Against Baylor, Washington St shot 57% from the field and 5 players scored in double figures. They held the high scoring Baylor offense to 36.7% shooting. The Cougars were led by guard Klay Thompson who scored 20 points and dished out 4 assists. For the season Thompson is averaging 21.5 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.3 steals a game. All three of those totals lead the team. Guard Faisel Aden averages 16.8 points a game off the bench. Forward DeAngelo Casto leads the team in rebounds with 5.8 a game and blocks with 2.1 a game. Washington St is outscoring opponents 79-60 on the season, The Cougars are shooting 50.7% from the field, and allowing opponents to shoot only 35.7% from the field. Washington St makes 40.4% of their 3 pointers and 64.4 percent of their free throws. Washington St is averaging 35.1 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of -0.5. They average 14.9 assists and 12.2 turnovers on the year. They average 8.7 steals a game and 3.8 blocks a game.
Butler has a slight edge in rebounding but neither is that great at rebounding. Both of these teams are outstanding defensively, and this game will probably be played in the 60’s or even 50’s possibly. Whichever team can control the other’s “dynamic duo” will win the gmae in my opinion. I expect a close, back and forth game that could come down to the final minute.
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