Marquette Golden Eagles (17-5) vs Villanova Wildcats (10-11)
Game Info: Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at 8:30 pm (Fiserv Forum)
Betting Odds: Marquette Golden Eagles -8.5 -- Over/Under: 145.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Villanova Wildcats will head up to Milwaukee to meet the Marquette Golden Eagles in Big East play from the Fiserv Forum on FS1. Villanova leads the all-time series, 27-15, but Marquette has won the last three meetings, including a New Year's Eve win in Milwaukee.
Villanova dropped to 10-11 after losing to Providence at home. The Wildcats blew a slim halftime lead and fell to the Friars by five points. Villanova is scoring 70.4 points per game, while allowing 68.5 ppg and shooting 43.7% from the field.
Villanova’s first season without Jay Wright had endured its growing pains, and it’s likely they miss the Big Dance for the first time since the 2011-12 season. The Wildcats are 4-6 in Big East play, with a 3-5 record on the road. Senior guard Caleb Daniels will look to respond after a slow outing against Providence, but he leads Nova in scoring (16.2) and assists (3.1), while grabbing 4.6 rpg. Junior forward Eric Dixon is scoring an identical 15.7 and grabbing a team-lead 6.5 rpg. True freshman Cam Whitmore paced the team with 21 points versus the Friars, and he’s third on the team at 13.1 ppg and 5.4 rpg.
Marquette improved to 17-5 after beating DePaul in Chicago. The Golden Eagles exploded for 56 second half points, and handed the Blue Demons their biggest loss of the season, 89-69. Marquette is scoring 82.6 points per game, while allowing 70.9 ppg, and shooting 50.5% from the field.
Marquette now sits atop the Big East in a three-way tie with Xavier and Providence, and they’ll look to win their fourth straight game here. The Golden Eagles are 9-2 in conference play, with a 11-1 record at home. Kam Jones has been consistent in the lead road role, and after scoring 22 points in wins over Providence and Seton Hall, he’s scoring a team-lead 16.1 ppg. Tyler Kolek starts beside him in the backcourt, and after posting a 24-point double-double in the win over DePaul last time out, he leads the conference in assists (8.1), while scoring 10.8 ppg. Olivier-Maxence Prosper (14.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg) and Oso Ighodaro (12.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg) start up front for the Golden Eagles.
Villanova is 7-14 against the spread this season, with a 11-9 over/under record. Marquette is 15-6-1 ATS this year, with a 13-9 o/u record.
Villanova is naturally enduring a transition season, while Marquette has really hit their stride with Shaka Smart this season. The Golden Eagles are real threats to win the Big East, and I don’t think they slip up against an inconsistent Wildcats team. The margin could cut close, but I’m confident Marquette wins this game at home, so take their spread for this Big East matchup.