Peterson: Best bet for UCLA vs. Marquette
The Marquette Golden Eagles have changed their style with Shaka Smart taking over the program this season and it has yielded an 8-2 start, but the toughest test of the season is on Saturday when UCLA comes to town.
UCLA Bruins (-7, 148.5) at Marquette Golden Eagles
(stats as of Friday morning)
The Bruins come in ranked 14th in the country in points scored on a per-possession basis and making 39.2 percent of their 3-point shots, which is 22nd in the country.
Marquette on the other hand is 173rd in the country in points scored on a per-possession basis and is 178th in the country in taking care of the ball, committing a turnover on 18.6 percent of their possessions.
The Golden Eagles have also received some good fortunes in this early start with opponents shooting just 61.9 percent at the free throw line this season, which is the 11th lowest mark in the country.
Marquette is unlikely to have that same luck with UCLA shooting 71.9 percent at the free throw line this season. UCLA is ranked sixth in the country in rebound rate on defense, allowing opponents to rebound just 17.1 percent of their missed shots, the Bruins will come out of Milwaukee with a win on Saturday.
Pick: UCLA -7
Demarco Crew Recap
Al Demarco - Marquette Golden Eagles
Chris Jordan - Houston Cougars
Gabriel DuPont - Arizona Coyotes
Gus Augustine - Michigan Wolverines
Jay McNeil - St. Bonaventure Bonnies
Kirby Maxwell - Marquette Golden Eagles
Mitchell Newman - Navy
Sean Michaels - Army
Steve Budin - Arizona
Tommy Brunson - Army-Navy Under the total
Trace Adams - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Al Demarco - Marquette Golden Eagles
Chris Jordan - Houston Cougars
Gabriel DuPont - Arizona Coyotes
Gus Augustine - Michigan Wolverines
Jay McNeil - St. Bonaventure Bonnies
Kirby Maxwell - Marquette Golden Eagles
Mitchell Newman - Navy
Sean Michaels - Army
Steve Budin - Arizona
Tommy Brunson - Army-Navy Under the total
Trace Adams - Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
