Syracuse vs Marquette on 3-8-08 Preview
A classic Big East matchup pits Syracuse against Marquette. Marquette is ranked #21 nationally and #5 in the Big East, which shows you how tough the Big East is this year. They have covered 7 of the last 9 board games and have won 6 of the last 7 straight up, including a should-have-won 2-point loss to Big East powerhouse Georgetown on March 1. Their power rating is +39.2 with an opponent power rating of +19.5, which shows how tough their schedule has been this year. They’ve won their home games by an average of +19.6 points, and have outscored their opponents 2214-1833 (+381 points). Marquette lost a squeaker to Georgetown in a game that Lazar Hayward, the team’s #2 scorer, went scoreless and 0-8 from the floor. No doubt this anomaly will be corrected for this game. That alone wins the game for Marquette. And the fact that Georgetown is the top ranked Big East team and #10 in the nation. And Marquette should have won.
Syracuse is unranked nationally and sits in 11th place in the Big East. They have lost 5 of the last 6 ATS and straight up, including a stunning 82-77 loss to Pittsburgh on March 1. Their power rating is +34.3 with an opponent power rating of +13.9, which is a tough schedule, but still not as tough as Marquette’s. They have lost their road games by an average of 5.2 points per game. Syracuse has outscored their opponents 2278-2140 (+138).
Marquette is on top of their game, in an angry mood after that heartbreaking loss, which should have been an upset. They’re also rested, having been back at home since February 25, and playing again on their home floor.
