Connecticut
Big East Tournament Final prediction: Marquette vs. UConn odds, picks
Somehow, someway, Marquette reached its second straight Big East Tournament Championship game without superstar point guard Tyler Kolek.
But the Golden Eagles will have to fight the mighty UConn Huskies without him, and I don’t think they have the horses to compete.
Marquette vs. UConn Prediction
(6:30 p.m. ET, FOX)
The final regular-season meeting between these two was played without Kolek.
And Marquette showed why it relies so heavily on its superstar point guard.
Shaka Smart’s ball-screen offense is as innovative and as explosive as college basketball offenses get. Between Kolek’s vision, Oso Ighodaro’s versatility, and Kam Jones’ spot-up ability, the Eagles can unpack even the best defenses.
But without him, Marquette’s offense faltered against UConn.
In that final regular-season meeting, the Eagles generated 21 points on 28 ball-screen sets, suitable for a pedestrian .75 PPP.
That’s highly uncharacteristic of Smart’s offense, further exemplified by Marquette’s eight-to-nine assist-to-turnover ratio.
But, to be fair, UConn’s ball-screen coverage defense is elite.
The Huskies lead the Big East in pick-and-roll PPP allowed by a mile (.68), and they showed that in the first meeting.
Even with Kolek, Marquette managed 22 points on 29 pick-and-roll sets against the Huskies, which is suitable for slightly better than pedestrian .76 PPP.
The Eagles can’t score against UConn either way.
On the other end of the court, Connecticut’s elaborate, variable pattern motion offense is too tough to stop for any defense.
While Marquette grades out alright regarding off-ball screen, handoff, and cutting PPP allowed, the Eagles are also an aggressive perimeter offense that will get beat by crisp passing and sharpshooting.
And that’s what Connecticut did in both meetings, shooting 24-for-56 (43%) from 3.
It hurts that the Huskies are an uber-steady ball-handling team, unsusceptible to Smart’s pressure.
Additionally, UConn is a dominant offensive rebounding squad, which plays nicely against Marquette.
The Eagles’ aggressive perimeter defense leaves the glass wide open, so the Huskies scored 40 second-chance points across the two regular-season meetings.
Donovan Clingan should eat on the boards this Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
Ultimately, I don’t see Marquette executing its ball-screen-heavy offense against an elite ball-screen coverage defense without its point guard.
Betting on College Basketball?
Meanwhile, the Huskies will find ways to score.
They couldn’t generate secondary actions against St. John’s, so they destroyed the Red Storm in ball-screen sets.
And if they can’t generate offense against Marquette, they’ll crash the boards and generate put-back buckets or second-chance kick-out 3s.
UConn has won three National Championships over the past 15 years, but the Huskies haven’t won a Big East Tournament title since 2011.
With Kolek sidelined, they seem poised to take advantage and earn that elusive title in a monster victory.
I expect another dominant, double-digit win for the Huskies in the Big East final. Wager accordingly.
Marquette vs. UConn Pick
UConn -8.5 | Play to -9.5
Connecticut
Woman suffers life threatening injuries in Rocky Hill house fire
A woman was rushed to the hospital after being seriously hurt in a fire Saturday in Rocky Hill.
This all unfolded during the late morning hours at a home on Main Street.
Fire officials say they had to rescue the woman from the home and her injuries are considered life threatening.
Hoarding conditions did a play a factor in the fire, according to the fire department.
No other injuries were reported. Further details pertaining to the fire weren’t immediately available.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Connecticut
Twin Peaks Restaurant planning to open 3 locations in Connecticut
DALLAS (WTNH) — A New London-based group is partnering with a Texas-based restaurant planning to open its first locations in Connecticut.
New London Hospitality has signed a new area development agreement with Twin Hospitality Group Inc., the parent company of Twin Peaks Restaurant, for the development rights of three future locations in the state, according to a press release from Twin Peaks.
The release lists New Haven, Hartford, Waterbury, Danbury and Stamford or Bridgeport as potential markets.
According to the release, New London Hospitality is run by Deepak Verma and Kam Singh, who have experience in the hospitality industry and have worked with major hotel brands including Hilton, Red Roof Inn and Choice Hotels.
“Deepak and Kam bring a powerful combination of hospitality expertise and operational discipline,” Twin Peaks CEO Kim Boerema said in the release. “Their experience growing multi-unit concepts makes them ideal partners as we enter Connecticut. We are confident they will help anchor Twin Peaks as a new favorite for sports fans throughout the state.”
Twin Peaks describes itself as “the ultimate sports lodge featuring made-from-scratch food and the coldest beer in the business, surrounded by scenic views and wall-to-wall TVs. At every Twin Peaks, guests are immediately welcomed by a friendly Twin Peaks Girl and served up a menu made for MVPs.”
“Twin Peaks delivers everything guests want in a sports bar — scratch-made food, 29-degree draft beer, and the best place to catch every game,” Verma said. “We look forward to introducing the brand’s signature lodge experience and welcoming Twin Peaks girls to Connecticut, establishing a new home base for local sports fans and food enthusiasts.”
Twin Peaks was founded in 2005 in Lewisville, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. There are 114 locations in the United States and Mexico. The closest location to Connecticut is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Connecticut
Road closures, crashes & flooding reported across Connecticut
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — As Friday’s stormy weather brings strong rains and damaging winds, the Connecticut Department of Transportation and local agencies are reporting the following alerts.
Stormy Friday Weather
RELATED
Note: Not every alert can be attributed to weather.
Current Traffic Alerts:
- NEW HAVEN – Two-vehicle crash on Route 15 southbound between Exits 46 and 42B. The right lane is closed. Reported at 3:28 p.m.
- OLD SAYBROOK – Route 154 (Main Street) closed in both directions between Willard Ave Ext. and Cromwell Ave because of tree down with wires. Reported Friday, December 19 at 2:20 pm.
- PLAINFIELD – Route 12 closed # 105 Norwich Road and Kinney Hill Road for tree in wires. Reported at 12:31 p.m.
- PLAINFIELD – Route 12 closed in both directions at Arbor Lane due to a pole down in wires. Reported at 12:25 p.m.
- N. STONINGTON – Route 184 (Providence New London Turnpike) closed in both directions at Rt 49 (Pendelton Hill Road) because of tree down. Reported at 12:11 p.m.
- COLCHESTER – Colchester Route 85 New London Road closed between Lake Hayward Road and West Road because of Wires Down. Reported at 12:04 p.m.
- UNION – Route 171 closed at Route 197 and Rindge Road for a tree down in wires. Reported at 12:02 p.m.
- DEEP RIVER – Route 80 (Winthrop Road) closed in both directions between Cedar Swamp Road and Bahr Road because of a tree down. Reported at 11:58 a.m.
- OXFORD – Route 67 is closed at Route 42 for wires and a transformer down. Reported at 11:49 a.m.
- LEBANON – Lebanon RT-207 Exeter Road is closed at Clubhouse Road because of a tree down with wires involved. Reported at 11:46 a.m.
- NORTH BRANFORD – Route 17 northbound and southbound at the intersection of Rt 22 is closed. Utility work in area. Reported at 11:47 a.m.
- BRANFORD – Localized flooding is currently occurring in multiple areas of town.
- SEYMOUR – Fire officials are asking people to avoid Highland Avenue and Gilyard Street because a large tree has snapped a telephone pole. Please use alternate routes.
- MIDDLETOWN – Multiple businesses without power.
- EAST LYME – Route 161 (Flanders Road) closed in both directions at Society Road because of pole down with wires. Reported at 11:50 a.m.
- EAST LYME – Tree down on powerlines on West Main Street, Niantic (Rte. 156) in the area of #278. Roadway is currently closed at Douglas Avenue and Four Mile intersection. Eversource has been notified. Reported at 10:45 a.m.
- MANSFIELD – Route 195 is closed at Ledgewood Drive for a tree down across the road. Reported at 10:45 a.m.
- GUILFORD – Route 146 Leetes Island Road closed in both directions between Wingate Road and Moose Hill Road because of a tree down with wires. Reported at 11:44 a.m.
- THOMPSON – Thompson Route 193/Thompson Road is closed between Route 12/Riverside Drive and Robbins Road because of a Tree Down. Reported Friday, December 19 at 11:36 am.
- COLCHESTER – Colchester Route16/Middletown Road is closed between Bigelow Road and Victoria Drive because of a tree down with wires involved. Reported at 10:45 a.m.
- HARWINTON – Harwinton Route 4/Burlington Road closed between Harmony Hill Road and Route 72 Terryville Road because of a tree down with wires on the road. A fire was also reported. Reported at 9:14 a.m.
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