12.25.2010 Finals Of The Diamond Head Classic, @ Stan Sheriff Center-Honolulu, Hawaii.
The Butler Bulldogs are playing the Cougars from Washington State in the finals of this great tournament on Xmas night. Both teams have arrived on this sunday night by playing some awsome basketball, on both ends of the court. Wazzu who are 7-2 ATS, are sparked by Faisal Aden who comes off the bench for head coach Ken Boone, Aden is pumping in 13 ppg. Klay Thompson the Cougars 6-6 jr. forward in my opinion is one of the top players in the PAC-10, 22 ppg puts him among the best in the Nation. Through eleven games for Wazzu, the Cougars have turned the basketball over 139 times and have 164 assists which isn't great but it's not a major problem for HC Boone's team. In the semi's in the Diamond Head Classic, Washington State shoot the basketball 53.6% in the first half, the second half Wazzu shoot light's out 61.9%. Five Cougars were in double diget's.
The Butler Bulldogs have played very good of late also, winning four straight and in that time Butlers "Big Man" Matt Howard is pouring in 24 ppg. The problem with Butler, if Howard gets himself in foul trouble ( if you know Butler, than you know Howard spends alot of time on the bench ) and Shelvin Mack goes cold "there isn't much scoring after those two preseason all-conference players ! The Bulldogs have been to the Title game in Honolulu twice before and both times coming up short ( 0-2 ) the last in 2004. Butler also has turned the ball over going well over the century mark 130 turnovers and 148 assists, for those who don't know a good ratio between assists and turnovers are 2/1 assists/turnovers. Coach Bobby Knight has his teams in the 80's, at that mark.
The bottom line Washington State plays better defense ( #3 Nation Opponent FG % 35.6 ) and also ( #7 Nation Opponent 3 point % defense 26.4 ) and they put the basketball in the hoops at a great pace.
WASHINGTON STATE -1
30-12 ats ( cbb )
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