NCAA Tournament 2010 Betting: Washington vs Marquette
by Nick Meyer
It was a down year for the Pac-10 to say the least, with just Washington and California managing to secure bids and neither expected to make a long run in the tournament.
Even league power UCLA was down, and now, Washington finds itself in a tough first round matchup with a team from the Big East that has dominated competition from lesser conferences in Marquette.
The Golden Eagles had a slight down year considering the high amount of veteran returning talent on the team, but despite their not-so-great record, there was never really any doubt that they were going to make the NCAA Tournament.
Now, the golden Eagles find themselves as a first round betting favorite against the Huskies in a unique matchup that could provide one of the best betting opportunities for college basketball fans this week in tournament action.
Washington Huskies (24-9 SU, 14-18 ATS) vs. 6. Marquette Golden Eagles (22-11 SU, 17-10 ATS)
7:20 p.m. Thursday, San Jose, California, CBS TV
NCAAB Betting Line: Marquette is the favorite at -1 ½ points.
The Golden Eagles were bounced in embarrassing fashion from the Big East Tournament against Georgetown as they lost by 23 points, and now they must be simmering in anger and disappointment waiting to match up against the Huskies in the first round.
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The committee gave them a lot of respect as a six seed going into the tournament but the Eagles really aren't consistent enough to be regarded as a true number one seed in most years.
Lazar Hayward has been around seemingly forever and he has stepped up his game averaging 18 points and almost 8 rebounds from his forward position this year.
Hayward is just one in a long line of athletic players for Marquette, who uses that athleticism well in smothering opponents on defense to the tune of just 64 ppg against on the year.
Guard/forward Jimmy Butler is a similar player in that he can score and rebound, but he could have a hard time getting the ball in his sweet spots in round one as the Golden Eagles aren't a great ball handling or passing team this season.
Washington comes from a poor conference but they have won 9 of 10 games heading into the tournament and boast a potent duo of guard Isaiah Thomas and forward Quincy Pondexter, the latter a similar player to Hayward and the former one of the most dynamic young guards in the country.
Marquette has players capable of defending Thomas, but eventually, Thomas will break through and find his stroke in this one while Pondexter does some work down low battling hayward.
This is going to be a very close game throughout but with Washington boasting two true go-to guys in a game that is expected to go down to the wire, the Huskies are an excellent NCAA Tournament betting pick going into this first round matchup as they should win SU vs. Marquette.
