|
Memphis at
Gonzaga
2/7/09
Two teams take a break from conference action as the #14 Memphis
Tigers from Conference USA travel cross-country to take on the #18
Gonzaga Bulldogs of the West Coast conference. Both teams are
leading their respective conferences with identical 7-0 records.
The 18-3 Memphis Tigers have had the luxury of playing 13 of their
games at home where they have gone 12-1, with the only loss coming
against Syracuse way back on Dec 20th. In that game they shot a
miserable 34% from the field and made just 7 of 33 from 3 pt range.
But since that game the Tigers have gone on a major roll, winning
their last 13 games in a row, including 10 of them by double-digits.
This will be Memphis’ 7th true road game of the year where they have
gone 5-1.
Overall, the Tigers are averaging 77 pts per game on 44% shooting
from the field, close to 33% from 3-pt range and 66% from the FT
line. Memphis lost 3 starters from last year’s team that made it all
the way to the championship game, including PG Derrick Rose who is
now averaging nearly 17 pts per game for the Chicago Bulls. But
they’ve still got 4 players averaging in double-digits, and a 5th
who is just a ½ pt shy. And there really hasn’t been a huge drop-off
at PG either, as Rose’ replacement, Freshman Tyreke Evans, is
leading the team with 16.8 ppg, 52 steals, 92 defensive rebounds, 79
FT’s and a FT % of nearly 70%. And at 6’6”, 219lbs., Evans can use
his size and strength to score around the basket as well as from
outside, and also grab lots of rebounds. Returning starters Antonio
Anderson and Robert Dozier, both seniors now, are combining for 22.5
ppg and 12 rebounds, with Dozier also leading the team in FG
percentage, making just over 50% of his attempts. And 6’10” junior F
Shawn Taggert has joined the starting line-up this year, averaging
10 ppg and sinking 48% of his attempts, as well as leading the team
in rebounding with 155.
Despite their 18-3 record, Memphis has had a little trouble with
some of the better teams in the nation though, as they are just 1-3
against top 25 competition, losing to Xavier, Georgetown and
Syracuse by an average of 7 pts each, and winning a close one at
Tennessee by a score of 54-52. In those 4 games they averaged just
61.7 ppg, well under their season average of 77 ppg, and they gave
up 66.5 ppg which is a little more than 5 pts over their average of
61.2 ppg.
Wager
on Hoops at the LARGEST Sportsbook in
the World - Sportsbook.com!
Gonzaga is also a team that can put up some points as they are
averaging 78 ppg, with 4 starters also in double-digits and a 5th
chipping in with 9.3 ppg. All four of the Bulldog leading scorers
are shooting above 45% on FG attempts, over 34% on 3-pt tries and
over 71% from the FT line. As an entire team, they average over 47%
on FG’s and nearly 37% on 3-pointers and over 70% from the FT line.
The Bulldogs have some experience in the line-up with returning
seniors PG Jeremy Pargo and F Josh Heytvelt. Heyvelt is pacing the
scoring with 14.4 ppg and is making nearly 53% of his FG’s, as well
as nearly 40% of his 3-pointers and 71% of his FT’s. Junior G Matt
Bouldin is following up his team-leading 12.6 ppg average from last
year with 13.1 ppg this year, and also leads the team in steals and
is 2nd to PG Pargo in assists with 60. And PF Austin Daye has joined
the starting line-up this year after coming off the bench last year
to average 10.5 ppg and 4.7 rebounds while playing less than half
the game. This year he is the 2nd highest scorer with 13.8 ppg and
is leading the team in rebounding with 7.2 per game.
Gonzaga is very similar to Memphis on defense as both teams are
giving up right around 61 ppg and both teams are in the top 7 in the
country in defensive FG % allowed.
The Bulldogs are 8-1 at home this year with the lone loss coming
against Portland State back on Dec 23rd. However, that game came
just 3 days after Gonzaga’s heartbreaking OT loss to Uconn in the
“Battle in Seattle”, so the Bulldogs were in a let-down situation
which Portland State took advantage of. Just 8 days later, Gonzaga
suffered another heartbreaker in a 1 pt loss at Utah, but since then
they have reeled off 8 straight wins, winning all but 1 by
double-digits.
This will be Gonzaga’s toughest test since the UConn game, and they
will have this one at home at least. But almost all of their games
against upper-echelon teams have been close and I would expect the
same result here. Expecting the line to be something like Gonzaga –4
to 4.5, I would be very tempted to take Memphis here, as their
biggest loss so far has been by 9 on the road at Georgetown, and
that game actually went into OT. Plus, Memphis will be coming off of
almost 3 days rest while Gonzaga will be on just 1 days rest, having
played a big conference game on the road at 2nd place Portland on
Thursday night. I will be taking the Memphis Tigers plus the 4 or so
points.
Be sure to check out what's on tap at
Bettorsworld's Free Sports Monitor! NBA and College Hoops picks from
the Nations top DOCUMENTED
handicappers!
check them out right here before making a move!
|
