It took a while, but the Badgers may finally be adjusting to life after Frank Kaminsky and Sam Dekker. In their last two games, Wisconsin upset Syracuse and topped Temple, giving them their first back-to-back ATS wins of the year. Now, they’ll look to top Marquette SU to tally their first three game win streak of the season.
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HOW THE MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES CAN COVER THE SPREAD
Five straight wins, including four in a row ATS, have helped turn around a rough 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS start to the year for the Golden Eagles, though some of that is a result of the competition.
Of course, the Badgers made it to the Championship Game a season ago, but without Frank Kaminsky, the team’s taken quite a step back.
As for Marquette, they’ve got the talent to beat Wisconsin. Henry Ellenson and Luke Fischer provide a very strong frontcourt while Traci Carter, Haanif Cheatham and Duane Wilson should play well in the backcourt.
Of course, youth is a big factor and leads to a bit of a question, but Ellenson has answered that question quite well with 16.3 PPG and 8.9 RPG through his first eight games.
The 6’11” forward is also second on the team in blocks while also adding 19 assists.
Cheatham and Carter have also had a great starts to their first seasons. Cheatham’s fourth on the team in scoring with 11.2 PPG. He’s also shooting 59.6 percent from the floor while Carter’s not been the most prolific scorer, but is first on the team in assists with 43.
On the flip side, the Badgers’ offense has taken a hit this year. They’re averaging just 71.9 PPG and shooting a meager 42.2 percent from the floor. They’re also just 3-6 ATS.
HOW THE WISCONSIN BADGERS CAN COVER THE SPREAD
While the Badgers’ shooting percentage is low and they’re struggling to score at the level they’re used to from years past, their defense is doing well to help them win six of their first nine games.
Defensively, they’re allowing 65.8 PPG and are outrebounding the opposition by more than 10 per game.
Ellenson and Fisher are doing a good job up front for Marquette, but with Nigel Hayes, Ethan Happ and even Vitto Brown, the Badgers have a strong front court of their own with each averaging at least 10 PPG and 5.8 RPG.
Wisconsin can depend on that trio to stuff the stat sheets, but will need Bronson Koenig to continue producing as well against a deeper backcourt for the Golden Eagles.
Koenig leads the Badgers in scoring with 15.8 PPG and is also second to Hayes in assists with 24.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
It was an incredibly low scoring game last year; don’t exactly look for a repeat as each team is likely to score more and produce a total well north of the 87 from a year ago.
Still, each team is without its top scorer from that game.
While Wisconsin has been improving and showed a lot in their win at Syracuse, it’s still only won three games all year ATS. Marquette, meanwhile, has taken its last four ATS. Of course, this will be their first test in a true road game.
Look for both teams to lean on their defenses with the Golden Eagles coming away with the win. Marquette’s depth and young talent gives them the edge. Ellenson has been very impressive in his young college career and should carry his team to victory again on Saturday.
Marquette 68, Wisconsin 63
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Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet, click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The contest between the Marquette Golden Eagles and Wisconsin Badgers will take place Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. ET at the Kohl Center. You can watch the game live on ESPN2.
