NCAA Baskteball Picks and Tips: Weber State at California
Friday, December 16, 2011
Frank Martin
One season after Jimmer Fredette led the nation in scoring at BYU, it seemed unlikely that the state of Utah could boast another such player. However, Weber State Wildcats junior guard Damian Lillard has bounced back from a foot injury that sidelined him for most of last season in grand fashion with 26.9 points per game in 2011.
His all-around game was on full display once again in Saturday’s 84-68 win over Southern Utah as he finished with 31 points – his third 30-point effort in four games – and a career-high nine assists. However, he figures to face his most difficult challenge yet Friday against California Golden Bears, which is 7-0 at home this season and owns the 20th-ranked scoring defense in the country. The Golden Bears had little problem routing Jackson State, 73-46, on Sunday.
Weber State Wildcats @ California Golden Bears
When: 10:30 PM ET, Friday, December 16, 2011
Where: Haas Pavilion , Berkeley, California
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, No TV
The Golden Bears have opened as 16-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NCAA Basketball Odds.
Weber State Wildcats (6-2): The Wildcats lead the Big Sky and rank sixth in the nation in free throw percentage (78.5 percent) while ranking second in the conference in 3-point shooting (38.8 percent). Thanks in large part to Lillard’s contributions, Weber State is also second in the conference in scoring (80.2 points per game). Following this contest, the Wildcats complete the calendar year with four consecutive home games.
California Golden Bears (8-2): Sophomore guard Allen Crabbe, the Golden Bears' leading scorer, did not start for the first time against the Tigers after being late for the team's morning shoot-around, but still managed to score 17 points in the win. It marked the third straight game Crabbe led the team in scoring and the seventh time this season he has scored at least 15 points.
1. This game will mark just the second meeting between the schools, with the first one coming in December 1970.
2. With 18 more points, Lillard will move into sole possession of seventh place on the school’s all-time scoring list.
3. The Golden Bears have held consecutive opponents under 50 points for the first time since the 1984-85 season when they did it in three straight games.
NCAA BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Golden Bears 78, Wildcats 58
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allen crabbe - california golden bears - damian lillard - haas pavilion - jimmer fredette - weber state wildcats
