Marquette..........

[bear]

Rick Pitino will have his hands full today trying to get his team ready to play at the Bradley center at Marquette (where they do NOT frequently lose) something like 30 straight 40 of last 45.

I would have loved this spot even if they had not lost to St Louis.
Marquette is BIG, STRONG........They rebound!!! biggest margin in CUSA........they are disciplined.......run numerous offensive sets.
Dwayne Wade will not be stopped today.

Pitino said that his team rebounded like "high schoolers" v St Louis.........well, they did lose their composure down the stretch and its going to be very tough to bounce back in this venue.

I do like Marquette! 2x

GL
bear

 

[bear]

Uconn........

Uconn........

Well,
The news is that Ben Gordon got arrested yesterday for smacking a girl and giving her a bloody lip. She actually hit him first but...........but (I swear.......summa these guys seem to me to be brain-dead) Anyhow .....he's travelling with the team to "Nova" and I would not be surprised if he is somewhat distracted as he sometimes gets that way. Nevertheless, CT has too much for the 'Cats" today !!!!!!!!

CT has NOT played well on the road this year till recent showing at Providence........Gotta love 'Blaneyball" Defense looks MUCH improved vs Prov. and then vs the "Cuse"........I think that "Nova's" ........SLOW starts won't go unnoticed and that CT has the bodies to apply extreme defensive pressure early and jump out strong. Villanova is starting to look like CT a few weeks ago. AND......AND....this is a big game (Much bigger for CT than Villanova) Yes ......its for 1st place in the division but CT still has ND and PITT to go through.......

SOOOOOOOO.....CT is playing much improved on both sides of the ball now.....has the better (arguably) athletes.......and great incentive to get this W going into a real tough closing schedule.
Everyone gets UP when CT comes to town so this should be a hard fought game ........but a CT win nonetheless.

CT + 1.5

GL
bear

 

[Valuist]

PG Deiner left the DePaul game in the final minute limping quite badly. Looked like it was some kind of ankle injury. I haven't checked his injury status but he will be very key for Marquette to break the Ville's pressure.

 

[superbook]

Bear -- nice write-ups, laying off Fairfield, that line looks a little funny...hard to know how they'll react coming off the big win and Marist is coming off a bad loss to St P.

Waiting for Ivy lines to be posted.

- Jon

 

[bear]

Fairfield U..........

Fairfield U..........

Gotta hunch that Ffld will take the court at "Harbor Yard" today feeling like "THE TEAM" The ones that beat the mighty Jaspers and the one starting to peak just at the right time. Poor play behind them.......A highly motivated 6'9 Deng Gai......(who almost had a triple double the other night) tough as nails 6'8 Oscar Garcia, 6'7 Del Fico off the bench......6'10 Rob Thompson (who filled in capably in Gai's absence........The (not too formidable) Ajou Deng at 6'11 who is capable of double digits if he gets the pt........... and starting Frosh...Dewitt Maxwell........add a host of good and very quick guards in diminutive Tyquan Goode, T.Todd, K. Sogdazi, and M. Bell..........Lights Out for Marist! (last in the MAAC in shooting%) In last Ffld won by 9 in Poughkeepsie

Fairfield has a little swagger now and I see a double digit W here.


GL
bear

 

[JFB]

deiner

deiner

Deiner hurt his back and is listed day to day, according to the Milwaukee Journel this morning.

 

[Sports Psychic]

Diener is okay he had back spasms.

 

[Mags]

But..

But..

If Diener is not ok, that will really hurt Marquette, as he sets the tempo on offense.. against a pressing defense, that would mean Wade will have to handle the ball quite a bit to get it up the court - which will help tire him some and get him away from scoring....

Marquette is strong inside, but ballhandling (outside of Diener) is not their strong suit - they do not have another guard of his caliber to bring the ball up.

That being said, Diener will probably play, but we all know how backs can be... one twing and back into a spasm...the BC is a tough place to play, but given Diener's status, I like Louisville here - in fact, as a strong play...

I'm a Marquette fan, but gotta go with LOUISVILLE +1'

 

[Box and one]

Bear,think Fairfield wins big.Marist is so bad in the paint.Swollen heads does worry me but the Foxes are playing so poorly.Magarity isn't getting any production from certain players on the floor.Hood a frosh is now getting more playing time.
Like Marquette today.Really like Fordham.
GL today.

 

[Phenom]

Have to disagree with you bear, I think Louisville wins this one. Will be a good game and I will probably lay off it, but Pitino is real good coming off a loss. They played horrible against St. Louis and I am sure Pitino has chewed their ass for the last few days.