Hawaii vs. Louisiana Tech
Free Pick: LA Tech -15 (February 13th 2010 – Steve Merril)
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Hawaii is a tired and beat-up team right now. The Warriors have lost five straight games, and eight of their last ten overall. They’ve yet to win a game on the road this season (0-6), and with their longest trip going into Ruston here, things do no look too promising for Hawaii tonight. Not only are they in bad current form, but the Warriors are also missing two experienced guards, Jeremy Lay and Dwain Williams.

Those two guys brought a lot of offense to Hawaii as they had the ability to hit outside shots consistently, especially from beyond the arc. Hawaii ranks last in the WAC with 115 three-pointers made, and Williams (31) and Lay (28) combined to make 59 of those. That’s more than 50% of their long-range scoring missing, and when teams are out-classed, the 3-point shot can often keep them close. However, without Lay and Williams on the court, Hawaii will be hard-pressed to hit enough three’s to stay close here.

Louisiana Tech possesses two of the stronger offensive players in the WAC in Kyle Gibson and Magnum Rolle. Gibson averages 21 points per game while Rolle contributes 15 points per game, and considering the Bulldogs have scored 71 points or more in every home game this season, Hawaii’s lack of offensive firepower will leave them playing from behind all night long.

There are a few reasons why this selection isn’t rated stronger. LA Tech has only one conference home win by more than 8 points this season. Also is the fact that Hawaii has played in a lot of close games this season. Of their 14 losses, only four have come by more than 15 points which shows that they have ‘hang around’ capability because of their stud guard Roderick Flemings who is usually the best player on the court in the majority of WAC games. Hawaii also won here last season 54-53 which gives them some confidence despite playing with a short-handed lineup.

Related posts:

1. Free Pick: College of Charleston vs. Hawaii: December 22nd 2009
2. Free College Basketball Pick: Duke vs. Virginia Tech: February 21st 2010
3. Free College Basketball Pick: Georgia Tech vs. Duke: February 4th 2010
4. Free College Basketball Pick: Butler vs. Cleveland State: February 13th 2010
5. Boise State vs. Louisiana Tech Pick: October 26th 2010