The heavy hitters keep coming at the Maui Invitational, as the top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks take on the fourth-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles.
The college basketball odds have the Jayhawks as four-point favorites to advance to the Finals of the tournament.
Both teams are undefeated heading into this one, so how does this matchup play out? Check below for my free college basketball picks and predictions for Kansas vs. Marquette on Tuesday, November 21.
Kansas vs Marquette best odds
Kansas vs Marquette picks and predictions
The Kansas Jayhawks have had one legit test that they passed, besting 17th-ranked Kentucky – their last game before descending on Maui.
Other than that, they have rolled, winning by more than 27 every game, including an 83-56 quarterfinal win over Chaminade. They used a 17-0 run at the start of the second half to put things into cruise control.
Big man, Hunter Dickinson shredded the Silverswords, going for 31 points and 11 rebounds, while Kevin McCullar Jr. dropped 22 points, 11 boards, and 10 dimes, his second-straight triple-double. He also added three steals and two blocks.
The Jayhawks are one of the top-scoring teams in the nation, pouring in an average of 92.5 points, while also sitting Top-25 in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency metric.
The Marquette Golden Eagles are no slouch either, dropping 82.2 points per contest, but it just doesn’t feel right if a Big East team isn’t grinding out some kind of win.
The Golden Eagles did just that in Maui, sneaking by the UCLA Bruins 71-69 to advance to the semis.
Like Kansas, they needed a 17-0 run in the second half to turn a 12-point deficit into a five-point lead, then worked hard to land the plane and get the win, capped by Sean Jones’ 3-pointer to take the lead for good with 36 ticks on the clock.
David Joplin led Marquette with 19 points, followed by Oso Ighodaro with 14.
Before Maui, Marquette outlasted the Illinois Fighting Illini 71-64.
Kansas currently ranks inside the Top 80 in points allowed at a respectable 64.2 points per game, while the Golden Eagles sit at 67 points allowed, good for a tie for 126th.
This has the potential makings of an instant classic. I think Kansas’ offensive output is strong, and Marquette seemingly finds just enough to get the results they need.
Who dictates the pace is key: Marquette plays at an adjusted pace of 136th at KenPom, while Kansas is a little more uptempo, sitting in 75th.
It’s a high number here, and the Jayhawks failed to eclipse the 155 total against Chaminade, though in a blowout. I like Marquette to Big East this one.
My best bet: Under 157 (-110 at DraftKings)
Kansas vs Marquette same-game parlay
Under 157 points
Kansas moneyline
Kevin McCullar Over 27 points+rebounds+assists
Let’s add a couple of bets to make this a nice same-game parlay.
It’s been a great start to the year for the senior guard Kevin McCullar Jr. He’s the engine of this Jayhawks offense, and he’s been able to find his offense while making sure his teammates also eat.
I think Marquette will gameplan to slow down Dickinson, who has topped 20+ points in three of four games and shoots a blistering 71.7% from the field.
McCullar, however, has crossed the 27.5 points-assists-rebounds total in all but one game this season, falling a bucket short in a 99-61 blowout win over the Manhattan Jaspers.
He’s done it against legit comp too, scoring 12 points, and handing out 10 dimes with 10 rebounds in their 89-84 win over Kentucky.
McCullar looks to be the best player on the floor for me, and that’s the reason that, despite the Jayhawks not being able to pull away from the Golden Eagles, will be able to stay undefeated in this young season.
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Kansas vs Marquette spread and Over/Under analysis
There’s some flux on this spread, though Kansas has remained the betting favorite, but they’re just 3.5 points at some books, and up to 4.5 points on others.
The Jayhawks have had some monster lines, with three of their four matchups set at 30.5 points and higher, so their record of 2-2-0 against the spread could be considered a little misleading.
Marquette owns the same 2-2-0 ATS record however they failed to cover the last game against the Bruins.
As for the total, it’s been a consistent climb upward from the earliest lines of 152.5. After that, the line settled at above 156.5, with a high of 157.5 at some books.
The Golden Eagles have gone Under in their last two contests, while the Jayhawks have hit the Over in three of four games this season.
Kansas vs Marquette betting trend to know
The Under has hit in 19 of the last 36 Marquette games, while the Under has hit in just 12 of the Jayhawks’ previous 35. Find more college basketball betting trends for Kansas vs. Marquette.
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Kansas vs Marquette game info
| Location: | SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, Honolulu, HI |
| Date: | Tuesday, November 21, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 10:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
Kansas vs Marquette key injuries
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