Washington St Cougars at Washington Huskies, Alaska Airlines Arena, Seattle, WA
Sunday, February 27, 2011, 10:00 pm Eastern, TV: Fox Sports Net
Opening Line: Washington -11 1/2
Current Line: Washington -12
Opening Total: 153
Current Total: 156 1/2
Money Line: Washington -900 / Washington St +650
These two rivals played in Pullman January 30. Washington St came out on top 87-80, which sent Washington on a three game losing streak that dropped the Huskies from first to third in the Pac-10 behind Arizona and USC. Washington is still in third place but now they have a chance to win the Pac-10 title thanks to losses from UCLA and Arizona. The Bruins and Wildcats are tied for the Pac-10 conference lead, but they are only a game and a half ahead of Washington. If Washington wins out, they have a chance to gain at least a share of the Pac-10 title, but needs Arizona to lose at least once. However Washington has to take care of business against Washington St tonight. Washington St is 17-10 overall and 7-8 in conference. The Cougars appear headed to the NIT unless they win the Pac-10 tournament. Washington is 19-8 overall and 10-5 in the Pac-10. The Huskies seem pretty safe to go to the NCAA tournament. Washington is coming off a 95-74 pasting of Seattle Tuesday night. The Huskies are 4-1 straight up in their last 5 games. Washington St was swept by the Arizona teams last weekend including a 71-69 loss at Arizona St last Saturday. They have lost 3 of their last 4 games.
Washington is undefeated at home this season and Washington St is 4-6 on the road, including 2-6 in conference. Washington leads the overall series 117-99, including 99-34 in Seattle. Washington is 4-1 straight up and 3-1-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Four of those five games have gone under the total. Washington St is 11-22 ATS versus conference foes the last 2 seasons. The Cougars are 6-16 ATS the last three seasons versus teams scoring 77 points or more a game.
Washington St guard Faisel Aden missed the last game for the Cougars with a knee injury. He is listed as probable for this game. The Cougars are led by guard Klay Thompson. He is averaging 21.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1 block a game. He leads the team in scoring, assists, and steals. Aden averages 12.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.5 steals a game. Forward DeAngelo Casto averages 11.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounds and blocks. Washington St is outscoring opponents 73-66 on the season. The Cougars are shooting 46.1% from the field and 35.8% from 3-point range. The Cougs are holding opponents to 39.4% shooting from the field. Washington St shoots 69% from the free throw line. Washington St averages 34.5 rebounds a game with a rebounding margin of -1.6. They average 13.7 assists and 13 turnovers a game. They force 15.2 turnovers a game on defense. The Cougars average 7.2 steals and 3.8 blocks a game.
Washington guard Abdul Gaddy tore his ACL in practice a few weeks ago and is gone for the season. He was averaging 8.5 points a game. Washington guard Scott Suggs is listed as doubtful for this game with a sprained MCL. He averages 7.3 points a game but leads the Pac-10 in 3-point shooting at 45.5%. Husky forward Brandon Sherrer is also listed as questionable with a staph infection. He plays less than 3 minutes a game anyway. Washington is led by guard Isaiah Thomas, a candidate to win Pac-10 player of the year. Thomas is averaging 16.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. He leads the team in points and assists. Forward Matthew Bryan-Amaning is averaging 16.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1 steal and 1.7 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounds and blocks. Justin Holiday averages 11.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 steals a game to lead the team. Washington is outscoring opponents 86-71 on the year. The Huskies are shooting 48.3% from the field and 38.1% from 3-point range. Husky opponents are shooting 41.7% from the field. Washington is shooting 66.2% from the free throw line. The Huskies average 39.6 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +5.1. Washington averages 17.9 assists and 12.6 turnovers a game. They force 15.4 turnovers a game on defense. The Huskies force 7 steals and 5.7 blocks a game.
Washington needs this game way more than Washington St. Also The Huskies have extra motivation as the Washington St fans stormed the court after beating the Huskies earlier in the season in Pullman. Washington rebounds and scores much better. I think The Huskies cover this spread easily.
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