VERMONT CATAMOUNTS VS. MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES

RECORDS: Vermont (6-2) | Marquette (5-3)

RANKINGS: Vermont (#67 KenPom) | Marquette (#62 KenPom)

TIME: 7 p.m. ET

TV: FS1

WATCH ONLINE: FOX Sports GO

SPREAD: Marquette opened as 4.5-point faves. The line went down to 3.5.

TOTAL: The O/U is set at 149.5.

RECORDS ATS: Vermont (2-3) | Mrquette (2-5)

ALL-TIME SERIES: Marquette and Vermont have only met once before. Back on December 22, 1995, the Golden Eagles defeated the Catamounts 89-58 in Milwaukee.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Vermont’s O vs. Marquette’s D

The Marquette Golden Eagles defense has been lacking after a pretty strong start. They may wind up in some trouble against this pesky Vermont Catamounts squad. Through their first eight games, Vermont has some above average marks all over the field. Their eFG% stands at 54.0 percent and they’re shooting 36.6 percent from the 3-point line.

MU obviously can shoot the 3 with the best of them, but what’s concerning here is also their 2-point FG%. The Catamounts have made 53.4 percent of their 2-point tries, and what’s more is they’re making 57.6 percent of their shots at the rim. Given that the Golden Eagles are allowing 65.5 percent of shots at the rim on average, this could spell some doom if Vermont decides to attack the cup. MU is also allowing a ghastly 57.8 percent on 2-point tries in general, which ranks 330th out of 351 Division I teams.

Getting Sam Hauser going

In his last two games, Sam Hauser has had a bit of difficulty. The sophomore from Stevens Point scored just 10 combined points against Chicago State and Georgia. What’s more is that his efficiency has been off as well. He shot a combined 4-13 from the field in those two games, which was an unusual struggle for the usually deft shooter.

With Haanif Cheatham gone, Marquette desperately needs a third, consistent scoring option to go along with Markus Howard and Andrew Rowsey. Hauser’s that guy on a normal night, but he’ll have to shake off this slump if MU wants to win.

Anthony Lamb’s torrid run continues

Vermont wing Anthony Lamb has been on a tear lately. The 2017 America East Rookie of the Year and All-Conference Second Team selection has scored in double figures in his last five games. While doing so, he’s put up 20 or more points in three of them, including 26 against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at the start of this run. He just put up 20 in a hard luck loss to the Bucknell Bison last Saturday. The Rochester native will be the one to watch for on the Catamounts on Tuesday night. If he gets going, UVM can certainly pull off the upset.