Marquette vs UConn Prediction 1/4/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Marquette Golden Eagles and the Connecticut Huskies will meet on Sunday afternoon in a Big East Conference matchup at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut.

Marquette Golden Eagles Betting Preview

The Marquette Golden Eagles enter Sunday’s contest with a 5–9 overall win-loss record, including a 3–0 record in conference play. The Golden Eagles have amassed wins over Albany, Southern, Little Rock, Valparaiso and the Central Michigan Chippewas while losing games to Indiana, Maryland, Dayton, Oklahoma, Purdue and the Wisconsin Badgers. In the Marquette Golden Eagles thrilling 75-72 overtime victory over the Valparaiso Beacons earlier this season, Marquette guard Nigel James Jr. tallied 21 points (7 of 16 shooting from the field), 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals demonstrating his ability to lead the Golden Eagles backcourt.

The Marquette Golden Eagles are averaging 76.6 points per game on 41.7 percent shooting from the field and 30.8 percent shooting from three-point range per game, while allowing opponents 77.4 points per game.

Sophomore guard Chase Ross has been the Golden Eagles offensive anchor, averaging 16.6 points, 4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game, while guard Nigel James Jr. averages 12.4 points per contest. Forward Royce Parham adds quality interior play averaging 9.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game.

Connecticut Huskies Betting Preview

The Connecticut Huskies enter Sunday afternoon’s contest with a 9–1 win‑loss record, including a 7–1 mark at home and a 3-0 record in conference play. The Huskies have compiled wins over New Haven, UMass‑Lowell, Columbia, BYU, Bryant, Illinois, Kansas, East Texas A&M, and Florida, while dropping a close game to Arizona. In the Connecticut Huskies 61-56 win over the Kansas Jayhawks earlier this month, Connecticut guard Braylon Mullins amassed 17 points on 6 of 12 shooting from the field and 3 of 9 from three-point range.

The Connecticut Huskies average 79.3 points on 40.8 percent shooting from the field and 34.2 percent shooting from the three-point line per game. The Huskies are allowing opponents 61.5 points (4th in nation) on 37.5 percent shooting from the field (6th in nation) per game.

Junior guard Solo Ball leads the Connecticut Huskies backcourt averaging 15 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.8 steals per game. Junior guard Silas Demary Jr. adds 10 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. Senior center Tarris Reed Jr. provides a strong interior presence averaging 14.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.6 blocks per game.

Why the Marquette Golden Eagles will win

•  •    Offensive pace. Marquette averages 76.6 points per game, giving them the firepower to compete if they shoot efficiently.

• Marquette’s backcourt duo of Nigel James Jr. and Chase Ross have combined for over 28 points per game. Earlier this season, Chase Ross hit five three-pointers in the Golden Eagles win over Southern.

Why the Connecticut Huskies will win

•            Home dominance. The Huskies are (7-1) at home this season.

•            Balanced roster. Ball, Demary Jr. and Reed Jr. provide scoring, playmaking and a strong interior presence.

•            Defensive edge. The Huskies are allowing opponents 61.5 points (4th in nation) on 37.5 percent shooting from the field (6th in nation) per game.

Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Connecticut Huskies Prediction

This matchup features Connecticut’s elite defense and balanced scoring attack against a Marquette team that has struggled to find consistency on both ends of the floor in 2025. Connecticut’s ability to control tempo, defend the perimeter, and generate efficient offense makes them a difficult matchup for a Marquette team that has yet to win a Big East game this season. Having stated that, 20.5 points is a large number. I like the Golden Eagles plus the 20.5 points in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Marquette Golden Eagles +20.5