2013 NCAA Tournament – East Region Second Round
#3 Marquette Golden Eagles vs #14 Davidson Wildcats
Thursday, March 21, 2013, 3:10 pm Eastern, TV: tru TV
Rupp Arena – Lexington, Kentucky
Opening Line: Marquette -3
Current Line: Marquette -3
Opening Total: 131 1/2
Current Total: 133
Opening Money Line: Marquette -165 / Davidson +145
Current Money Line: Marquette -160 / Davidson +140
The 23-8 Marquette Golden Eagles tied with Georgetown and Louisville at 14-4 for the Big East title. However, the Golden Eagles were upset by Notre Dame in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament. They were still given a #3 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Golden Eagles will take on the #14 Davidson Wildcats in the second round in the East Region in Lexington, Kentucky. The winner will play the winner of #6 Butler and #11 Bucknell Saturday. Marquette has made the Sweet 16 two years in a row.
Davidson is 26-7 this season and went 17-1 in the Southern Conference. The Wildcats beat College of Charleston 74-55 in the SoCon Championship game March 11 for their second straight conference championship. Davidson has won 17 straight games this season.
Marquette and Davidson have met twice previously, with each winning a game. The two teams haven’t played since 1967 though.
Marquette is coached by Buzz Williams. The Golden Eagles have losses to Butler in the Maui Invitational, at Florida, at Green Bay, at Cincinnati, at Louisville, at Georgetown and Villanova. Marquette has key wins over Mississippi St and USC in Maui, Wisconsin, LSU, UConn, Georgetown, Pitt twice, Seton Hall twice, Providence, South Florida twice, DePaul, Syracuse, Notre Dame, at Rutgers, and at St. John’s. Marquette is undefeated at home this season. The Golden Eagles are 13-14 ATS and the total is 15-11 this season.
Marquette is outscoring teams 69-63 this season. The Eagles are shooting 46.7% from the field and 30.1% from 3 point range. Marquette is #34 in field goal percentage. Marquette makes 72.3% of their free throws. The Golden Eagles average 35 rebounds per game and give up 27.6 per game. Marquette is #37 in rebounds allowed. Marquette opponents are shooting 40.5% from the field and 31.8% from 3 point range. The Eagles average 14 assists, 7 steals, 3 blocks, and 14 turnovers.
Guard Vander Blue averages 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1 steal per game. Forward Davante Gardner averages 11.5 points, and 4.9 rebounds per game. Forward Jamil Wilson averages 9.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. Guard Junior Cadougan averages 8.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.1 turnovers. Trent Lockett averages 7.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Todd Mayo averages 6.2 points per game. Chris Otule, Steve Taylor, Jr., Juan Anderson, Jake Thomas and and Derrick Wilson also get significant minutes.
Davidson is coached by Bob McKillop. The Wildcats have losses at New Mexico, Milwaukee, Gonzaga in the championship of the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, Charlotte, at Drexel, Duke in Charlotte, and at Georgia Southern. The Georgia Southern game was the only conference loss for the Wildcats. Davidson has key wins over Vanderbilt and West Virginia in Orlando, and Richmond. Charleston and Elon were the only teams with winning records in the Southern Conference. Davidson is 16-15-1 ATS this season, and the total is 9-16-1 this season.
Davidson is outscoring teams 74-62 this season. The Wildcats are #38 in scoring in the country. Davidson is shooting 46.3% from the field and 36.9% from 3 point range. The Wildcats are 56th or better in both categories. Davidson leads the nation in free throw shooting at 80.1% from the line. The Wildcats average 33.8 rebounds per game and give up 28.4 per game. Davidson opponents are shooting 41.2% from the field and 32.7% from 3 point range. Davidson averages 14 assists, 6 steals, 3 blocks, and 11 turnovers per game.
Forward Jake Cohen averages 14.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. Forward De’Mon Brooks averages 13.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Guard Nik Cochran averages 9.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. Chris Czerapowicz averages 9,2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. J.P. Kuhlman averages 8.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. Tyler Kalinoski averages 7.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.7 rebounds per game. Clint Mann is probable with a concussion. He averages 7.3 points per game. Tom Droney also gets significant minutes.
Davidson is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 NCAA tournament games, 3-7 against teams with winning records, 5-13-1 in non-conference games, 3-8 against Big East teams, and 4-11-1 after a cover.
Marquette is 18-7-1 ATS after a straight up loss, 10-4 after failing to cover, 5-11-1 in non-conference games, and 1-6-1 in Thursday games.
Davidson hasn’t lost since January 14. The Wildcats will not be intimidated by playing Marquette , as Davidson already played games against New Mexico, Gonzaga and Duke. The Wildcats are a veteran team but Marquette simply has too much. Davidson hangs around for a while but the Golden Eagles pull away at the end.
Our best college basketball picks will help you dominate the books. We are releasing winners and key plays every day.
