An eight-game home winning streak hangs in the balance for the 21st-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles (8-2) when they square off against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks (6-5) at Fiserv Forum. Action starts at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 18, 2018.
North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Marquette Golden Eagles Betting Odds
Both teams easily got past their last opponent. The Golden Eagles defeated the UMBC Retrievers 67-42, while the Fighting Hawks beat the Northland LumberJacks 104-48.
North Dakota played a flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.308 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.646. Northland was 0.097 and 0.339, respectively, for those same stats. The Golden Eagles, meanwhile, had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.467 vs. 0.274) and had a better free throw rate (0.183 vs. 0.129). Marquette’s Markus Howard had a good game, contributing 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Meanwhile, North Dakota was led by Aanen Moody, who recorded 20 points.
Sam Hauser and Howard have played at a high level over the last five games for Marquette. Hauser has averaged 0 points, while Howard has put up 0 points a game during that span.
Second-chance opportunities might be rare for North Dakota in this showdown. The Fighting Hawks are among the country’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 328th in offensive rebounding percentage at 26.2 percent. Meanwhile, Marquette ranks 33rd in the nation at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 76.3 percent.
North Dakota vs. Marquette Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Marquette, ATS Winner – Marquette, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Marquette ranks 43rd in rebounds per game (39.5) while North Dakota ranks 239th (36.4).
- The Golden Eagles average 14.8 assists per game, which ranks 75th in the NCAA. The Fighting Hawks rank 128th in assists allowed per game (12.1).
- Marquette averages 25.0 three pointers per game, which ranks 69th in the NCAA. North Dakota ranks 81st in three pointers allowed per game (21.1).
- The Golden Eagles rank 44th in blocks per game (4.3) while the Fighting Hawks rank 167th (4.0).
- North Dakota averages 6.1 steals per game, which ranks 55th in the nation. Marquette ranks 150th in steals allowed per game (7.2).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Golden Eagles have scored an average of 74.8 points per game (1.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 65.8 points per game (0.9 below their season average).
- The Fighting Hawks\u2019 average margin of victory in their last five games has been 21.6, up from 8.9 for the season.
