Villanova vs. Marquette Predictions, Odds

• December 23, 2020
• By Thom Cunningham
• VegasInsider.com

The Marquette Golden Eagles host the Villanova Wildcats in a huge Big East battle from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Tip off for the game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (ET) on FS1.

BETTING RESOURCES

• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Conference: Big East
• Venue: Fiserv Forum
• Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Date: Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020
• Time: 7:00 p.m.
• TV: FS1
• Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet | William Hill | Best Sportsbooks

WHERE TO BET VILLANOVA-MARQUETTE

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Villanova-Marquette Betting Odds

Line Movements

• Spread: Villanova -3
• Money-Line: Villanova -220 Marquette +190
• Total: 141

Odds Subject to Change

Villanova enters this pivotal conference road game as the favorite, given a three-point spread against the Golden Eagles. Villanova is 5-3 ATS this season, while Marquette is just 4-5.

Marquette is 4-2 at home however, and centering as the underdog which means a SU win would cover. The Wildcats, however, are a perfect 5-0 on the road SU.

The point total is 141, which neither team is particularly a 'lock' for OVER or UNDER. Villanova is 4-4 while Marquette is 4-5 on the O/U, basically split on the season.

Betting Analysis – Villanova Wildcats

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 7-1
• ATS: 5-3
• SU - Home: 2-1
• SU - Away: 5-0
• O/U: 4-4

Villanova is a threat to win the National Championship this season, as they've become serial winners within the Big East. Not only that, this team has run the March Madness Tournament in recent years (winning two in the last four years). This year seems to be no different, with one of the better offense in the nation.

The Wildcats average about 80 points a game, and have four players with a double-digit point average total. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl leads the team in points per game, while senior Collin Gillespie has the most assists on the team while averaging about 15 points per game. Justin Moore and Caleb Daniels also contribute heavily, while Jermaine Samuels averages eight points and seven rebounds.

The team has depth, experience (no freshman with significant playing time) and a recent history for running this conference. It's tough to find a weakness for this team, until you look at the defense. Villanova has the 222nd-ranked defensive rating (99.6) and only average 3.6 steals per game (ranks 323rd in the nation).

The defense is a bit of a concern, but Villanova seems to play well away from Philadelphia. The Wildcats played their first six games of the season away from the Finneran Pavilion, winning five. Although the defense may be a concern , Villanova has yet to allow 69 points or more since losing to Virginia Tech.

Betting Analysis – Marquette Golden Eagles

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 5-4
• ATS: 4-5
• SU - Home: 4-2
• SU - Away: 1-2
• O/U: 4-5

Marquette is very capable of winning this game, posting the 70th-best offensive rating in the country. The glaring stat that stands out for Marquette is their rebounding ability. The Golden Eagles have four players average 6.6 rebounds or more, with Theo John averaging the most.

Dawson Garcia is the biggest difference maker on the glass for Marquette, as he is the team's second-leading scorer with 13.1 points per game. Koby McEwen leads the Golden Eagles in points per game with 15.2, but it's D.J. Carlton that could be the big difference maker in this game.

Carlton averages more assists per game than any other Golden Eagle, while also averaging 12 points per game. The club ranks 91st in rebounds per game and also ranks ninth nationally in total rebounds. Marquette has also hit 73 three-pointers this season, which ranks 29th nationally. They also have 152 free throws made, which ranks seventh in the nation.

Marquette can score points against Villanova, and actually presents the better defense of the two (Marquette ranks 15th nationally in total blocked shots). Marquette has four losses, which isn't very convincing to wager on. However, the Golden Eagles have lost games to Oklahoma State, Seton Hall, UCLA and Xavier - all March Madness caliber.

Marquette isn't unbeatable at home, but they are more than capable of covering a three-point spread inside the Fiserv Forum. This is a team that beat Wisconsin by two points at home, so don't write the Golden Eagles off despite a 5-4 record.

Inside the Stats – Villanova Wildcats

• PS/G: 79.5 (83rd)
• PA/G: 67 (120th)
• Off Rtg: 118.2 (20th)
• Def Rtg: 99.6 (222nd)

Inside the Stats – Marquette Golden Eagles

• PS/G: 76.1 (128th)
• PA/G: 69.3 (163rd)
• Off Rtg: 109.8 (70th)
• Def Rtg: 100 (225th)

Key Players to Watch

• NOVA - Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (16.6 PPG, 7.6 RPG)
• NOVA - Collin Gillespie (14.5 PPG, 4.3 APG)
• MARQ - Koby McEwan (15.2 PPG)
• MARQ - Dawson Garcia (13.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG)

Villanova-Marquette Predictions

The spread is difficult in choosing, although siding with Villanova is the smarter play. They are the better team and looking at both school's ATS record this season, taking the Wildcats is playing the odds correctly. With the defensive struggles though, and the (somewhat) high-powered offenses, the point total going OVER is worth a look.

The 141 point total implies each team will touch 70, which seems likely. Both teams might touch 80, especially if this goes to overtime which it very may well. The spread oddsmakers have set at -3 should indicate how close this game might actually be, even if Marquette isn't as nationally recognized as Villanova is in terms of dominance.

• Score Prediction: Villanova 74 Marquette 70
• Best Bets: OVER
• Best Bets: Villanova

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