Marquette - Kentucky Preview

South- Round One
Marquette Golden Eagles (6) Vs. University of Kentucky Wildcats (11)
Thursday, March 20 @ 2:30
Betting Line From Bookmaker: Marquette -6

The 24th ranked Marquette Golden Eagles (11- 7 Big East, 24- 9 overall) have found points, playmaking and leadership amongst their guards. Jerel McNeal (14.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2.2 SPG) has been able to do it all. Along with being an offensive threat, he’s also been a dominant defensive force. McNeal is a cagey and talented player.

Along with McNeal, guards Dominic James (13.0 PPG, 4.3 APG) and Wesley Mathews (11.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG) have been big contributors. Although the Eagles don’t offer much of an inside game, they’ve seen important contributions from power forward Lazar Hayward (13.0 PPG, 6.5 RPG) and some improved play from forward Ousmane Barro (5.5 PPG, 5.5 RPG).

The Kentucky Wildcats (12- 4 SEC, 18- 12) struggled outside of their conference, while finishing strong in division play. Under first-year coach Billy Gillispie, the Cats became tougher, more dedicated and focused on playing every minute. In December, they lost five of seven. But in February, they went won eight of nine. It was quite a turnaround.

But the Wildcats enter the tourney without their primary scoring force-- SEC Freshman of the Year Patrick Patterson. The forward had averaged 16.4 PPG and 7.7 RPG. For Kentucky, the solution will have to be forward Joe Crawford (17.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.1 APG) and guard Ramel Bradley (15.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 3.3 APG). Sophomore guard Derrick Jasper (4.4 PPG, 2.3 APG, .457 3PT%, 5.4 RPG) adds some firepower from downtown.

This is a contest between the guard-led Golden Eagles and the frontcourt-dominant Wildcats. Marquette is the better team and Kentucky will have a tough time without Patterson. The one wild card for the Wildcats is their tenacious defense. If Kentucky can play a full game of solid “D,” they can beat Marquette.

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