Tip off: 9 PM EST
Spread: Marq -14
Total: 135
M/L: Marq -1300, WM +850
MARQUETTE
You would have to say that playing in the Big East was largely responsible for the Marquette Golden Eagles being ready in March. After posting a .500 record in the Big East, the Golden Eagles ran to the Sweet 16 before falling to UNC by 18. They finished they year 22-15, with a 13-6 non-conference record.
Buzz Williams has been all over the JUCO circuit, and that is a big reason for Marquette’s continued success. Every time they lose a senior, it seems a prepared JUCO prospect comes to Marquette and shocks the nation. Jae Crowder has been one of those players, as has Darius Johnson-Odom. The duo are the best two players on the Golden Eagles, and both came from JUCO.
Johnson-Odom and Crowder put up a combined 36.5 points per game while both seeing nearly 30 minutes per contest. The 6’6″ Crowder, now eligibility wise a senior, is having his best college season so far. He averaged 11.8 points per game in 2 less minutes per game last season, whiel his usage has increased almost 50% within the Golden Eagles’ offense. He also leads the team in rebounding with 7.3 boards per contest, while making solid contributions on defense as well (1.7 spg, 0.8 bpg).
Monday night was the first loss for Marquette, as they fell by 8 to LSU. Prior to that loss, they had already knocked off then ranked #7 Wisconsin by 13 points, and they demolished Ole Miss on November 20th.
In Monday night’s loss to the Tigers of LSU, Johnson Odom said, “We got hit in the face a little bit…Those guys came in and gave us some energy…Your ability to keep poise and play through some adversity is huge.” Johnson-Odom went 6 of 11 from the floor for 16 points in the loss, while Crowder put up 22 on a less efficient 7 of 17 from the floor.
WISCONSIN MILWAUKEE
Last season the Panthers went 19-14 while going an impressive 13-5 in the Horizon league. They were invited to the NIT where they lost to Northwestern by 9 in the first round. They were 5-7 last season in mid-December and had lost to Florida Atlantic and DePaul, both of whom were horrible and finished lower ranked, but when they got to conference play they turned things around against even weaker opponents in the Horizon league.
Their win margin was very thin, which spoke to their execution. They only averaged .02 points more possession than opponents, yet won 13 of their 18 games, that means the Panthers got things done late in second halves.
This season, things have been similar. The Panthers are 9-3 so far, and have had some pretty big blowout wins over Texas Southern and Nebraska-Omaha (35 and 36 points, respectively). They only lost by 6 points to #15 ranked Wisconsin on The 13th. It shows the potential of a team that is often dismissed.
They receive strong contributions from six different players, who average between roughly 9 and 13 points per game. The leading of those contributors is the 6’3″ senior from Cedar Rapids Iowa, Kaylon Williams. Williams, now in his second season in a Panthers uniform after transfering from Evansville back in 08-09. His 6.0 assists per game comprise nearly half the Panthers’ team assists.
After starting the season 8-1, though, the Panthers have dropped two of their last three and won’t have an easy time getting back on track against a ranked opponent, only their second of the year.
If you feel inclined to back up a bet on either of these teams, we suggest Bookmaker, from where these odds were taken. Also, take a look at our paid pick plans for the 2011-2012 seasons as our staff of handicappers murders the books again!
