Nova Report
The Cats are in Milwaukee to take on the 24th ranked Marquette Golden Eagles (15-7) who beat Nova on January 19th: 57-54. In that game, Marquette scored nearly 70% of their points from 3 as Justin Lewis was 5-8 from deep including the game winner with 11 seconds left.
Game time: 10:00 pm eastern. Line: Nova-4.5/132.5.
Marquette is coming off of a game they should have won as they lost by 2 to Conference leaders, Providence. Nova handled St Johns last out. Yes, Nova has the revenge factor going but Marquette sweeping Nova pretty much punches their ticket into the NCAA.
Marquette has been led by freshman Justin Lewis (17.5 ppg, 7.9 boards pg) and Darryl Morsell (13 ppg). Shaka Smart has assembled quite the team primarily through the portal. They boast the most efficient scoring team AND the most efficient defensive team in the Big East. Nova is second in both categories. Expect a rock fight tonight.
What will happen: Both Gillespie and Moore had poor nights vs. Marquette last out and they should bounce back tonight. Unfortunately, Antoine sprained his ankle in practice and is out thus hurting Nova?s depth. Marquette will press and vigorously defend the ball up top on just about every possession. They will get in Nova?s face out by the arc as they held the Cats to 20% 3 point shooting when they last met. Offensively, they?ll probably attack inside the paint as they would expect Nova will be focused on defending the 3 where they were vulnerable last out.
As for the Cats, Gillespie has been on a tear from deep over the past 3 games nailing 65%, he?ll test that skill for sure. Moore will attack the rim and see if he can get to the foul line. Samuels found a soft spot in the Marquette D and will exploit that. But, in the end, they need to play excellent D and make their free throws.
My Play: Marquette +9.5 in a 5 point teaser is tempting but the Cats rarely get swept so teasing Nova to +1/2 and Under to 137.5.
Nova Pick Record: 8-12-1