Butler Bulldogs (10-5) vs. Marquette Golden Eagles (11-4)
January 10, 2024 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Marquette Golden Eagles -11.5 ; Over/Under: 152.5
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The Butler Bulldogs and the Marquette Golden Eagles meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Fiserv Forum. Butler took a loss to UConn in their last game, which dropped the Bulldogs to 10-5 on the year. As for Marquette, they’re 11-4 so far and coming off a close loss to Seton Hall. Let’s get into our Butler vs. Marquette prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Butler Bulldogs
The Bulldogs managed a sketchy 3-2 run to start the year, but then hit their stride with wins over Penn State, Boise State, Texas Tech, Buffalo, California, Saginaw Valley State and Georgetown. Since then it’s been losses to Providence, St. John’s and UConn, however.
In the Huskies game back on Friday, Butler was in firm control after the first half with a 42-35 edge. The Bulldogs faded hard from there however, posting a 53-39 deficit in an eventual loss 88-81. DJ Davis topped the team in the defeat with his 22 points, four assists and two rebounds.
Marquette Golden Eagles
Over on the Marquette side, they only lost two of their first eight games this year. Those defeats came versus Purdue and Wisconsin. The Eagles have hit a 5-2 run since then with wins over Texas, Notre Dame, St. Thomas-MN, Georgetown and Creighton alongside losses to Providence and Seton Hall.
Matched up against Seton Hall over the weekend, the Eagles were within three points at halftime. Marquette didn’t end up getting any closer on a 36-36 second-half run though, losing 78-75 in a tough result. Oso Ighodaro topped the team with his 22 points, eight rebounds and three steals.
ANDREW’S FREE BUTLER VS MARQUETTE PREDICTION
I’ll take a stab on Marquette. Probably staying away from this one, though; it’s tough telling what will happen. That said, the Eagles shot pretty decently (43.1 percent) in the Seton Hall loss and bagged 32 points off 22 Pirates turnovers. Thing is, Marquette got absolutely hammered on the boards 43-25 (14-11 offensive) and gave up 52.7 percent shooting. Being that permissive to Butler won’t work out well.
Speaking of the Bulldogs, they’ve got to play better in the second half to stop this sketchy three-game losing streak. Butler has given up 85 or more points in each of those games, which makes me think Marquette is probably the play in this one. You could make a case either way, though. It’ll be a fun matchup.
