The Wisconsin Badgers will play one more game at home against the Marquette Golden Eagles before starting Big Ten conference play.
Marquette has been impressive to start the year. The Golden Eagles have won seven of their first eight games with quality wins over Illinois, Ole Miss, and West Virginia.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin is 6-1 on the season with a five-point loss to Providence at home. Like Marquette, the Badgers have some big wins on their resume, including Houston and St. Mary’s. A win against Marquette would also classify as a big win.
Here are our college basketball picks and predictions for Marquette vs Wisconsin on Saturday, December 4.
Marquette vs Wisconsin odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
The Wisconsin Badgers opened as a 7.5-point favorite but have moved down to -5.5 since.
However, the total has jumped from 137 to as high as 138.5 at a couple of outlets.
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 Wisconsin predictions
Predictions made on 12/4/2021 at 8:05 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Marquette vs Wisconsin game info
• Location: Kohl Center, Madison, WI
• Date: Saturday, December 4, 2021
• Tip-off: 12:30 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
Marquette at Wisconsin betting preview
Injuries
Marquette: No injuries to report.
Wisconsin: No injuries to report.
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Badgers are 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall. Find more NCAA betting trends for Marquette vs. Wisconsin.
Marquette vs Wisconsin 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
The Wisconsin line dropped from -7.5 to -5.5 and I don’t quite agree with it. The Badgers have been one of the best defensive teams in the nation to start the year.
Wisconsin is holding opponents to a 44.5% effective field goal percentage while doing enough on the defensive glass to limit offensive rebounds from opponents.
The Badgers have allowed teams to shoot 32.4% from downtown, but have held opponents to just 42.1% inside the arc, which is really good.
On the offensive end, Wisconsin has done a terrific job holding onto the basketball and rarely turning the ball over. The Badgers haven’t been shooting at a high rate, but they also haven’t played a home game since November 15. Tonight, they’ll get that home game and shooting should be better from long range and inside the paint.
Marquette is taking a whole lot of three-pointers and has only hit 32.7% of them so far this season. While the Golden Eagles have been effective inside, shooting 43.5%, it’s going to be difficult against Wisconsin’s interior defense.
Plus, in a home game, against an extremely inexperienced Marquette squad, Wisconsin should be able to feed off the crowd’s energy and go on some solid spurts. This is Marquette’s first true road game of the season.
So, give me Wisconsin -5.5.
Prediction: Wisconsin -5.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
Marquette is the fastest team in the nation in average possession length. The Golden Eagles are using just 14 seconds per possession on the offensive end.
However, something’s got to give, knowing Wisconsin is holding opponents to an average possession length of 18.5, which is 336th in the nation.
In a game where Marquette doesn’t want to fall behind too early, there’s a good chance the Golden Eagles slow the tempo a little bit to catch their bearings.
Marquette feeds off fouls and the foul line but that’s also an area where Wisconsin shouldn’t have much of a problem. The Badgers are sending teams to the line at a below-average rate. I’ll take the Under here.
Prediction: Under 138.5 (-110)
Best bet
I’m sticking with Wisconsin as my best bet. At home, I’m expecting the Badgers to shoot at a high rate. Marquette is an inexperienced ball club, playing their first game on the road against one of the Top-25 teams in the nation.
It’s tough to play in any Big Ten environment, and Wisconsin is no different. As the season progresses, there’s no doubt that Marquette will be a fun team to watch and a potential March Madness entry. But on the road, in a Wisconsin rivalry game, it’s going to be a struggle.
Pick: Wisconsin -5.5 (-110)
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