The Marquette Golden Eagles will take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in the semifinals of the Charleston Classic tonight.
Marquette has had an incredible week — defeating Illinois on Monday and Ole Miss last night — and will look to keep it rolling with another win over a power conference foe.
West Virginia is also in an early-season groove after wins against Oakland, Pittsburgh, and Elon. The resume isn’t nearly as impressive as Marquette’s, but a win against the Golden Eagles — where the Mountaineers are 5-point college basketball betting favorites — would really bolster it.
Here are our best free college basketball picks and predictions for Marquette vs. West Virginia in the Charleston Classic on Friday, November 19.
Marquette vs West Virginia odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
West Virginia opened as a 5.5-point favorite with the total opening at 143.5. With lines not being posted until 8:15 a.m. ET, there has been no movement at the time of writing. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right up until tip-off and be sure to check out the full college basketball odds before placing your bets.
Marquette vs West Virginia predictions
Predictions made on 11/19/2021 at 8:27 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Marquette vs West Virginia game info
• Location: TD Arena, Charleston, SC
• Date: Friday, November 19, 2021
• Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN 2
Marquette at West Virginia betting preview
Injuries
Marquette: Greg Elliott G (Out).
West Virginia: James Okonkwo F (Out).
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Mountaineers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a SU win. Find more NCAA betting trends for Marquette vs. West Virginia.
Marquette vs West Virginia picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Spread analysis
Marquette is on a roll right now. With two straight victories over high major opponents, the Golden Eagles look like a serious contender in the Big East this year.
They're winning games by getting to the line, however, one of Marquette's hallmarks — getting after it on the offensive glass — has not been a strength so far. And while Marquette has been careful in terms of turnover so far this year, it’s never easy to keep the ball away from “Press Virginia.”
The Mountaineers lead the nation in turnover percentage, turning over their opponents 34.8 percent of all possessions. They’ve got a number of ballhawks, including Kedrian Johnson, who averages 4.3 steals per game this season in just 20 mins of game action per night. He’s getting almost as many steals as points (he only averages five points per game) — it’s crazy what West Virginia can do defensively.
However, West Virginia also has not shown great rebounding prowess either thus far, which could allow Marquette some second-chance opportunities, despite not being a great offensive rebounding squad.
All in all, this should be an extremely close game. If Marquette is able to limit its turnovers, it will be in good shape. In facing the press, Marquette has a chance to draw plenty of fouls and get to the free-throw line a lot, which would also help its cause tonight. We think both of those two things can happen, so ride Marquette with the points here.
Prediction: Marquette +5.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
Neither team has been solid on the defensive end when it comes to rebounding, so there should be countless second-chance opportunities for both teams.
Plus the press defense that West Virginia hangs its hat on is designed to result in easy transition buckets, and even if not completely effective, the Mountaineers will definitely get a few easy baskets during the game.
Marquette also has an average possession length of 13.6 seconds, which is the third-quickest in the nation. So with plenty of second chances for both teams, a lot of possessions for each club, and non-stop transition buckets, we’ll take the Over tonight.
Prediction: Over 143.5 (-110)
Best bet
The Over makes the most sense. We’d love to continue riding Marquette right now, as it is fun to watch and has two really quality wins already.
But the key of this team has been an offense that has been sensational and fast-paced... and bettors love that when they’re on the Over. Even if Marquette moves too fast and turns the ball over plenty of times, it just gives West Virginia the chance to score in transition — a win-win for bettors.
The Golden Eagles have a knack for drawing fouls and it’ll be easier when West Virginia uses the press to breathe down their necks. Marquette also hasn’t defended the three very well this season, giving up 36.5 percent from long range.
Pick: Over 143.5 (-110)
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