Marquette at Pittsburgh: College Basketball Picks & Predictions
Written March 4, 2009 by Jay Horne
The No. 3 Pittsburgh Panthers’ chances of winning the Big East regular season crown this season has nearly vanished. The Panthers would need to win their last game over No. 1 Connecticut as well as Wednesday night’s big showing against No. 13 Marquette. If the Panthers pulled those wins out, they would still need Louisville to lose both of their remaining games. Guess it is safe to say those hopes are gone. However, Pittsburgh still has a great chance to wrap up a number 1 seed for this year’s NCAA Tournament and could even grab the nation’s number 1 ranking if they could finish strong. No. 13 Marquette has dropped two straight games over top 6 opponents including a very close loss to Louisville on Sunday 62-58. The Golden Eagles are the surprise story of the conference this season and they could become a Cinderella story in March. Pittsburgh is favored by 10 points over Marquette Tonight.
The Marquette Golden Eagles are led by possibly the best guard duo in the country. Jerel McNeal and Wesley Matthew lead a ferocious scoring attack that can strike quickly and dangerously. The Golden Eagles are a team that could give a lot of teams’ trouble once that make the stage in the NCAA Tournament. They keep opposing teams on their toes because they can score quickly in transition. Marquette crushed Pittsburgh last season inside the Bradley Center by the score of 72-54. However, they will have to take the road this season and battle Pittsburgh on their home court where they are a perfect 17-0 this season.
Pittsburgh has put together an extremely strong season and will likely barely miss out on the regular season title. The Panthers have knocked off Connecticut just a few short weeks ago and they will get that chance again this Saturday. However, before they can look ahead they will have to tangle with an equally talented Golden Eagles basketball team. Pittsburgh is the only team in the Big East that is ranked in both the top 5 in scoring offense and defense inside the conference. The Panthers have performed very well against high scoring teams this season, and they will attempt to take down one of the best scoring teams in the conference this Wednesday.
Marquette has posted slightly under 80 points per game this season while shooting 47% from the floor as a team. Jerel McNeal ranks 2nd individually in the Big East averaging 20 points per game along with Wesley Matthews who has added 19 points per game. However, one of the most unnoticed players on the team holds one of the biggest keys to the Golden Eagles success. Lazar Hayward owns a 16 point 9 rebound average that gives the Golden Eagles the ability to stay with the extremely strong rebounding teams of the conference. The Golden Eagles will look for all their big performers to step up big against the Panthers in what many believe will turn into a high scoring affair. Take Marquette +10 at SportsBook.com.
Pittsburgh Panthers have an elite force on the glass as well. DeJuan Blair ranks 3rd in the country in rebounds averaging a very strong 12.7 boards per game. The talented sophomore has put together a solid season with 15.6 points per game and appears to be gaining strength towards the end of the season. Sam Young leads the Pittsburgh team with 18.4 points per game this season. Young is fresh off his second highest point total of the season where he posted 29 points over Seton Hall this Saturday. The Panthers have a tough two games left on the schedule, but their climb towards regaining the number 1 ranking starts at home this Wednesday against Marquette.
Pick - Take Pittsburgh -10
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One Response to “Marquette at Pittsburgh: College Basketball Picks & Predictions”
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Apparently if Pitt wins out, and Louisville loses one game (presumably to West Virginia), then all 3 will be called the Big East Champion at 15-3 in conference, with Pitt winning tiebreaker (common record among the 3), Pitt 2-1, Louisville 1-1, UConn 1-2.
Seeds in Big East Tourney: Pitt #1, Louisville #2, Uconn #3
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