Villanova Wildcats (11-5) vs. Marquette Golden Eagles (11-5)
January 15, 2024 2:30 pm EDT
The Line: Marquette Golden Eagles -5.5; Over/Under: +141
(Get latest betting odds)
The Villanova Wildcats look for a win after winning 5 of their last 6 games. The Marquette Golden Eagles need a win after splitting their last 6 games. Let’s preview this game and give out a Villanova Wildcats vs Marquette Golden Eagles prediction.
Villanova Wildcats Betting Preview
The Wildcats won six of their first seven games this year (with a loss to Penn), then took a losing streak versus Saint Joseph’s, Drexel and Kansas State. Villanova recently beat Xavier and DePaul while losing to St. Johns. The Villanova Wildcats are averaging 74.3 points on 41.8 percent shooting and allowing 65.1 points on 40.8 percent shooting. Eric Dixon is averaging 15.3 points and 6.5 rebounds, while Justin Moore is averaging 12.3 points and 3.4 rebounds. TJ Bamba is grabbing 3.9 rebounds and Tyler Burton is dishing 1.1 assists. The Villanova Wildcats are shooting 33 percent from beyond the arc and 82.2 percent from the free throw line. The Villanova Wildcats are allowing 34.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.4 rebounds per game.
Marquette Golden Eagles Betting Preview
The Marquette Golden Eagles only lost two of their first eight games versus Purdue and Wisconsin. The Eagles are on a 5-3 run since with wins over Texas, Notre Dame, St. Thomas-MN, Georgetown and Creighton mixed with losses to Providence, Seton Hall and Butler. The Marquette Golden Eagles are averaging 76.8 points on 45.2 percent shooting and allowing 67.3 points on 42.5 percent shooting. Kam Jones is averaging 14.9 points and 2.9 rebounds, while Tyler Kolek is averaging 13.8 points and 5.1 rebounds. Oso Ighodaro is the third double-digit scorer and David Joplin is grabbing 3.7 rebounds. The Marquette Golden Eagles are shooting 31.7 percent from beyond the arc and 73.7 percent from the free throw line. The Marquette Golden Eagles are allowing 32.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.6 rebounds per game.
Villanova Wildcats vs Marquette Golden Eagles prediction
The Marquette Golden Eagles are the better team with a more balanced and efficient offense and they’re at their best at home where they’re 8-1 SU. The Villanova Wildcats do go through scoring droughts that’s led to some tough losses, and this isn’t the environment where that can take place. Marquette is due for a bounce back showing, and it can be scary good at home. The chalk is reasonable. Give me the Marquette Golden Eagles.
