Following Tuesday's incredible slate of college basketball games, we're getting spoiled with a ranked matchup between Villanova and Marquette tonight.
Villanova has won nine of its last 10 games but the lone loss came at home against Marquette, 57-54. On the other hand, Marquette has had long win streaks and losing streaks this season. In the grand scheme of things, the Golden Eagles have won seven of their last eight games after taking a 65-63 road loss to Providence.
Can Marquette silence Villanova for the second time this season? Here are our best free college basketball betting picks and predictions for the Big East matchup between the Villanova Wildcats and the Marquette Golden Eagles.
Villanova vs Marquette odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
Villanova opened as a 4-point favorite and is now trending higher with some outlets at -4.5. The total, however, has changed slightly from 134 at open to 133.5.
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.
Villanova vs Marquette predictions
Predictions made on 2/2/2022 at 7:50 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Villanova vs Marquette game info
• Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
• Date: Wednesday, February 2, 2022
• Tip-off: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: Fox Sports 1
Villanova at Marquette betting preview
Injuries
Villanova: Bryan Antoine G (Doubtful).
Marquette: No injuries to report.
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Golden Eagles are 8-0 against the spread in their last 8 games overall. Find more NCAA betting trends for Villanova vs. Marquette.
Villanova vs Marquette 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
Villanova and Marquette have been extremely hot as of late, but despite Marquette already defeating Villanova earlier this year, the Golden Eagles are home underdogs tonight.
In the previous meeting, Marquette’s defense showed up against a very talented Villanova offense, holding the Wildcats to just 54 points. On the whole, the Golden Eagles are limiting opponents to a 45.4% effective field goal percentage while earning 19.5% turnovers.
Additionally, teams are hitting just 30.9% from downtown while knocking down only 45% from inside the arc this season opposite the Golden Eagles. While Marquette does a solid job at limiting fouls, the Golden Eagles will have to be a little bit more careful tonight, knowing Villanova is shooting 82.4% from the line.
The Wildcats have one of the best offenses in the nation, sitting in the Top 10 in adjusted efficiency on the offensive end via KenPom. The Wildcats are shooting a 52.1% effective field goal percentage while turning the ball over under 15% of the time.
Villanova should be able to earn plenty of offensive rebounds with Marquette allowing 31.5% of offensive boards per game. The Wildcats have also shot 36.6% from three and 49.6% from inside the arc this season.
Defensively, the Wildcats are just as good as the Golden Eagles, holding opponents to a 46.4% effective field goal percentage. Teams have hit just 30.5% from three and 46.8% from inside the arc against Villanova this season. Again, Villanova should win the battle on the glass with Marquette earning just 22.8% of offensive rebounds on the year.
Still, the Golden Eagles should be solid from the field. They're hitting 35% from three and 52.1% from inside the arc this season and will be playing on their home floor.
Both teams love to shoot but Marquette is assisting on 64.6% of baskets this season (fourth in the nation). Its ball movement is a little bit better than Villanova’s and that keeps defenses off-balance.
If Marquette can do a little bit more on the glass in tonight’s game, I like them to cover at home in a little bit more of a high-scoring game compared to the previous meeting.
Prediction: Marquette +4.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
The first meeting between these teams was a bit uncharacteristic as both offenses are too good to be scoring around 50 points a game. Villanova averages 72.5 points while Marquette averages 73.7 points per game this season.
Marquette shot nearly 45% from downtown but only scored .93 points per possession because of so many missed two-point shots.
On the other hand, Villanova shot just 25% from three and while the Wildcats shot better inside, they kept taking shots from deep — and missing them — and ultimately lost the game.
There were only seven foul shots in that entire game. Look for that to change and grab the over 133.5.
Prediction: Over 133.5 (-110)
Best bet
Oddsmakers clearly aren't buying into the Golden Eagles' previous victory over the Wildcats as they've been installed as home underdogs this time around.
But as long as Marquette continues to limit foul shots and keeps Villanova off the offensive glass slightly more than average, the Golden Eagles should be able to stick around and at least cover at home.
Pick: Marquette +4.5 (-110)
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