2011 Jimmy V Classic
Washington Huskies vs #11 Marquette Golden Eagles
Madison Square Garden – New York, New York
Tuesday, December 6, 2011, 9:20 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Marquette -6
Current Line: Marquette -8
Opening Total: 154 1/2
Current Total: 156
Opening Money Line: Marquette -335 / Washington +280
Current Money Line: Marquette -360 / Washington +300

The 4-2 Washington Huskies take on the #11 Marquette Golden Warriors who are 7-0 this season, in the second game of the Jimmy V. Classic. The Huskies, coached by Lorenzo Romar, have two road losses to St. Louis 77-64 and last Friday at Nevada 76-73 in overtime. Washington is undefeated at home but hasn’t played anyone. The Golden Eagles are coached by Buzz Williams and are off to their best start since 2005. Marquette pulled of their biggest win of the season with a 71-64 upset at then #7 Wisconsin 61-54 Saturday. The Eagles won the Paradise Jam tournament last month against a weak field. Marquette leads the overall series against Washington 2-1, but the Huskies won the last match-up 80-78 in the first round of the 2010 NCAA tournament in San Jose.

Last Friday, Washington was a 4.5 point road favorite on the college basketball betting line against Nevada. The game was back and forth the whole time. The Huskies were up 65-60 with 34 seconds remaining. However, the Wolf Pack tied it up with 2 three pointers with a Washington free throw intervening. The Huskies had a chance to win the game in regulation but guard C.J. Wilcox missed a three point shot. The Huskies got the rebound but were unable to get off another shot. Nevada won in overtime 76-73. The Huskies shot 44.8% from the field including 6/21 on three point shots. Washington made 15 out of their 19 free throw attempts. The Huskies had 38 rebounds, 19 assists, 8 steals, 6 blocks, and 18 turnovers. Washington guard Terrance Ross had 18 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal. Wilcox had 14 points, 3 rebounds, an assist, and 2 steals. Guard Abdul Gaddy had 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists. Forward Darnell Gant had 7 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. Guard Tony Wroten had 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, and 2 steals. Nevada shot 42.2% from the field including 7/19 from three point range. The Wolf Pack had 27 rebounds and 12 turnovers.

Washington scores 81 points a game and gives up 71. Washington shoots 46.7% from the field including 42.7% from three point range. The Huskies make 62% of their free throws. Washington averages 42.7 rebounds a game and opponents average 36.5. The Huskies average 15.8 assists, 15.5 turnovers, 7.8 steals, and 5.8 blocks a game.

Ross leads the Huskies in scoring with 16.2 points a game, and averages 6.7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.2 blocks a game. Wilcox averages 15.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2 steals a game. Wroten averages 13 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 steals a game to lead the team. Gaddy averages 9.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists to lead the team. Gant averages 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds a game. Center Aziz N’Diaye averages 8.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounds and blocks. Guard Scott Suggs is out indefinitely with a toe injury but hasn’t played this season. Last season he averaged 7.4 points a game.

Last Saturday, Marquette was a 7.5 point underdog at in-state rival Wisconsin. Marquette jumped out to a 32-22 halftime lead and held on for the 61-54 upset. Marquette shot 38.3% from the field, including 2/11 from three point range. The Golden Eagles shot 13/19 from the free throw line. Marquette had 41 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks, and 13 turnovers. Marquette guard Darius Johnson-Odom had 17 points, 5 rebounds, and an assist. Guard Todd Mayo added 14 points and 5 rebounds off the bench. Guard Vander Blue had 9 points, 8 rebounds, and a block. Wisconsin shot 32% from the field, including 5/19 from three point range. The Badgers were 17/21 on free throws. Wisconsin had 28 rebounds and 12 turnovers.

Marquette averages 84.1 points a game and gives up 58.7 points a game. Marquette is shooting 50.9% from the field including 36.8% from 3 point range. The Eagles make 71.2% of their free throws. Marquette averages 38.6 rebounds, and opponents are averaging 34.7 a game. The Golden Eagles average 18.6 assists, 12.7 turnovers, 8.9 steals, and 4.1 blocks a game. Eagle opponents are shooting 34.9% from the field, including 29.9% from 3 point range.

Johnson-Odom averages 19.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Forward Jae Crowder averages 16.9 points, 6.7 rebounds to lead the team, 1.7 assists, and 1.6 steals a game. Blue averages 10.4 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.1 steals a game to lead the team. Mayo averages 9.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists a game. The top 4 scorers all shoot at least 35% from three point range. Point guard Junior Cadougan returns from a one game suspension. He averages 7.7 points, 2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists a game to lead the team. Chris Otule leads the team in blocks with 1.9 a game. Forward Jamil Wilson is probable with a hand injury, but is little used.

Marquette is 3-1 against the spread this season and the total is 2-2 this season. Washington is 2-3 ATS and the total is 4-1 this season. The Huskies are 4-0 ATS as an underdog of 7.5-12 points, 6-2 in Tuesday games, 4-9 overall, 2-5 in neutral site games, 1-4 after a straight up loss, and 2-8 against teams with winning records. The Golden Eagles are 4-0 ATS as a favorite of 7.5-12 points, 4-1 as a favorite, as a neutral site favorite, 5-2 overall, and in non-conference games.

Washington is 0-2 on the road, and though this isn’t technically a road game, they are still playing more than 3,000 miles away from their Campus in Seattle. Washington hasn’t played anyone near as tough as Marquette on offense or defense. Both Marquette and Washington are comfortable scoring in the 80’s so this could be an up and down affair. Marquette struggled to score last week against Wisconsin but that is due to the Badger’s slow down style and intense defense. Playing without their point guard didn’t help Marquette either. Marquette should beat Washington rather handily.

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