The 18th-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles (17-6, 7-4 Big East) will be at Finneran Pavilion to meet the 15th-ranked Villanova Wildcats (17-6, 7-4 Big East) in a Big East matchup. The game is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.
Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Villanova Wildcats Betting Odds
In their last matchup, the Wildcats lost to the 12th-ranked Seton Hall Pirates, 70-64, while the Golden Eagles had no trouble getting past the 19th-ranked Butler Bulldogs, 76-57.
Marquette played a nearly perfect game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.412 (above their season average of 0.304) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.539 (above their season average of 0.515). For those same stats, Butler was 0.117 and 0.417, respectively. Villanova, on the other hand, had a much better turnover percentage (9.4 vs. 17.8). Villanova’s Jeremiah Robinson-Earl led the way, putting up nine points and 14 rebounds. Marquette, meanwhile, received a boost from Brendan Bailey, who put up 16 points and eight rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Markus Howard led the Golden Eagles to a 71-60 win. He was the game’s top overall scorer with 29 points. Marquette made good use of their 30 trips to the free throw line, converting on 26 of them (86.7 percent). Villanova, meanwhile, was just 3-5 (60.0 percent).
The Golden Eagles’ Koby McEwen has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 12 points,7.8 rebounds,4.0 assists per game. Meanwhile, Collin Gillespie has averaged 19 points,6.0 rebounds,5.2 assists,1.2 steals during that same time frame for the Wildcats.
Villanova should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Villanova ranks 16th in the NCAA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.8 percent), while Marquette forces the 10th-fewest turnovers (16.0 percent). It will also be a tale of two paces as the up-tempo Golden Eagles rank 56th in possessions per game, while the more methodical Wildcats rank 274th.
Marquette vs. Villanova Free Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Villanova, ATS Winner – Marquette, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Marquette ranks 21st in rebounds per game (40.0) while Villanova ranks 147th (35.7).
- The Wildcats average 14.6 assists per game, which ranks 60th in the country. The Golden Eagles rank 132nd in assists allowed per game (12.4).
- The Golden Eagles rank 32nd in blocks per game (4.6) while the Wildcats rank 140th (2.9).
- Villanova averages 26.7 three pointers per game, which ranks 32nd in the NCAA. Marquette ranks 110th in three pointers allowed per game (21.0).
Bettings Trends:
- The Golden Eagles’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.0, down from 8.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 68.8 points per game (4.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.8 points per game (1.8 above their season average).
