Butler and Davidson square off in pivotal non-conference clash

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

02/21/2009 - Davidson, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The most anticipated Bracketbuster game on the docket takes place in the Tar Heel State this weekend, as the 21st-ranked Butler Bulldogs invade Belk Arena and attempt to get past the always dangerous Davidson Wildcats.

The Bulldogs had been cruising along through their Horizon League schedule, but things have gotten much tighter of late, as Butler has dropped two straight games, with upset losses to Loyola-Chicago (71-67) and most recently, Wisconsin-Milwaukee (63-60). With the setbacks, the team has fallen to 13-3 in league play and 22-4 overall.

The Wildcats are one of the top teams in the Southern Conference, holding a two-game lead in the South Division standings. However, it could have been a four-game lead were it not for a surprising home loss to the Citadel this week, 64-46. With the loss to the Bulldogs, Davidson is now 22-5 overall and 15-2 in-conference.

This game is the first-ever meeting between these two mid-major powers.

The Bulldogs are known for their defensive prowess, as evidenced by the fact that the team is limiting foes to a mere 57.3 ppg this year and well under 40 percent shooting overall (.377). Unfortunately, the team's lack of offensive punch has proved to be problematic of late and could be a real concern going up against Davidson. Matt Howard is the team's best option and comes into the contest leading the Bulldogs in both scoring (14.1 ppg) and rebounding (7.0 rpg). Gordon Hayward is a close second in both categories (13.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and is the team's top sharpshooter (.453 from behind the arc, 58 treys). Shelvin Mack (12.2 ppg) adds to the perimeter assault with 50 three-pointers to his credit. Wisconin-Milwaukee seemed to catch a break with the clock towards the end of the game and escaped with a three-point win over Butler. The setback ruined a solid performance by Howard, who finished just shy of a double-double with 20 points and nine rebounds. Mack and Ronald Nored chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, but the team shot a mere .412 from the floor overall, including a dreadful .296 in the first half. UWM's bench played an important role in the decision, as the Panthers' reserves outscored Butler's bench 21-6.

The Citadel put on a defensive clinic and held the hometown Wildcats to an ugly .254 shooting, including just .130 from behind the arc (3-of-23) and taking a lopsided decision at Belk Arena as a result. Davidson's lack of offensive punch was certainly caused by the fact that All-American Stephen Curry was not on the floor. The veteran sharpshooter missed his first career game after suffering a sprained ankle last weekend. Andrew Lovedale and Brenan McKillop tried to fill the void with 16 and 15 points, respectively, but without Curry on the floor, the Bulldogs were able to keep the pressure on all game long. When the Wildcats are at full strength, there are few in the SoCon that can stay with them. The team is averaging a robust 78.8 ppg this year, with a good portion of that coming from Curry, who leads the nation in scoring at 29.0 ppg. Curry, who already has 102 three-pointers to his credit this season, is also the team's primary distributor, doling out 152 assists thus far. Lovedale feeds off Curry's perimeter success and is a perfect complement in the low post, averaging 12.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per outing.

Wwweircom NCAA Basketball Betting News

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