Offense meets defense when the Marquette Golden Eagles (13-7, 4-4 Big East) welcome the No. 1 Villanova Wildcats (19-1, 6-1 Big East) to BMO Harris Bradley Center. The game starts at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 28, 2018.
Villanova is an 8-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 161 points.
Villanova Wildcats vs. Marquette Golden Eagles Free Prediction
In the Wildcats’ last game, they dismantled the Providence Friars, 89-69. Villanova’s 8.8 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Providence, who had a rate of 16.5. The Wildcats’ mark was better than their season average of 13.5. Villanova received a boost from Eric Paschall, who was the game’s leading scorer with 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting.
The Golden Eagles lost big to the No. 11 Xavier Musketeers in their last game, 89-70. Xavier’s 10.1 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Marquette, who had a mark of 15.7. The Musketeers’ mark was better than their season average of 15.6. Markus Howard had a good performance for Marquette, leading both teams in scoring with 33 points on 14-for-27 shooting.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Marquette (19th in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 116.8) takes on the top-notch defense of Villanova (57th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 97.2).
Villanova comes into the contest with records of 19-1 straight up (SU) and 14-6 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Wildcats have a tendency to go over the total (57.9 percent).
Meanwhile, Marquette owns records of 13-7 SU and 9-9-1 ATS. There does not appear to be a trend for Golden Eagles games in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Donte DiVincenzo has averaged 16.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals over the last five games for Villanova.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Golden Eagles lost 100-90 but covered as 16-point underdogs. Howard scored a game-high 37 points and also recorded eight assists. The game finished with a total of 190 points, which was 28 points above the projected point total of 162 points. The Wildcats made 27 of their 32 free throws (84.4 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (9.0 vs. 13.0).
Villanova Wildcats vs. Marquette Golden Eagles Betting Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Villanova, ATS Winner – Marquette, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Villanova is 10-3 ATS with 7 overs and 6 unders.
Marquette is 4-6-1 ATS at home with 7 unders and 3 overs.
Villanova averages 17.6 assists per game, which ranks 13th in the nation. Marquette ranks 201st in assists allowed per game (15.0).
The Golden Eagles rank 12th in three pointers attempted per game (28.4) while the Wildcats rank 101st in three pointers allowed per game (20.9).
Villanova ranks 150th in rebounds per game (35.5) while Marquette ranks 239th (32.6).
The Wildcats rank 50th in steals per game (7.3) while the Golden Eagles rank 104th (6.5).
Villanova ranks 53rd in blocks per game (4.3) while Marquette ranks 63rd in blocks allowed per game (2.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Villanova is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Marquette is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 20.6, up from 19.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Golden Eagles have scored an average of 79.4 points per game (3.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 79.8 points per game (3.5 above their season average).
