Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Wisconsin Badgers Picks, Predictions, Odds

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

Dec. 4, 2021

Thom Cunningham
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Big East and Big 10 square off on Saturday afternoon as the Marquette Golden Eagles visit the Wisconsin Badgers. Tip is set for 12:30 p.m. ET and will air on FOX from the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

Score Prediction

Wisconsin 68, Marquette 65

Best Bets

Marquette +8.5 at Atlantis

Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Wisconsin Badgers Predictions

Wisconsin is on a role right now, and has covered five of its last seven games. Also, the Badgers have covered four of six as the favorite, which they are. The impressive 5-2 ATS record is cushioned by three covers on a neutral site court however, which if you recall was during the Thanksgiving week. The Badgers are just 1-2 at home on the ATS this season.

Marquette is outmatched in terms of experience in this game, and playing on the road in a venue Wisconsin plays well in doesn't bold well for Golden Eagles bettors. However, the Golden Eagles have been much better than advertised so far and have one of the most trustworthy coaches on the bench.

8.5 points is quite a lot of points to give Wisconsin, no matter how impressive they've been lately. Marquette can compete and have proven the be a great bet as the underdog. The Golden Eagles have covered three of four games as the underdog this season along with a 2-1 ATS record on a neutral court. This team isn't afraid to play away from Milwaukee it seems, which makes sense as younger teams and players tend to play with less fear and restrictions.

Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Wisconsin Badgers Betting Odds

Odds Provided by DraftKings - Subject to Change

• Wisconsin -7 (-110)
• Marquette +7 (-110)
• Over 138 (+100)
• Under 138 (-120)

More Odds | Futures Odds

Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Wisconsin Badgers Betting Resources

• Matchup: Big East vs. Big 10
• Date: Saturday, December 4, 2021
• Venue: Kohl Center
• Location: Madison, Wisconsin
• TV-Time: FOX - 12:30 p.m. ET

• Injury Report
• Wooden Award Odds
• Conference Futures Market
• Power Rankings

Marquette Golden Eagles Betting Analysis

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

• SU: 7-1
• ATS: 4-4
• O/U: 5-3

Marquette has been a pleasant surprise this season, as Shaka Smart has done a good job early with his new team. This is a very young Marquette team as well, as three of the team's top four scorers are freshman. The leading scorer is also a freshman in Justin Lewis, who also leads the team in rebounding.

Darryl Morsell is the senior leader for these young pups, averaging over 15 points per game. Tyler Kolek leads the team in assists with five per game, although Morsell does average 3.1 himself while two others average 1.8 or more. It doesn't take a genius to see Marquette moves the ball extremely well, ranking 50th nationally in assists per game with 16.

Besides ball movement, Marquette also blocks shots very well (ranks 43rd nationally with 5.1 per game) and takes advantage of free throws. The Golden Eagles take 24.6 free throws a game which ranks 13th in the nation. They also connect on 17.4 per game which ranks 16th, so getting the Badgers into foul trouble will be key. For a team that likes to draw charges as much as Wisconsin does, the late game judgement calls from referees might be the deciding factor here.

Wisconsin Badgers Betting Analysis

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

• SU: 6-1
• ATS: 5-2
• O/U: 4-3

It's been a pleasure to see the growth and development of one Brad Davison who is one of the craftiest players in the nation. He has opened up his game though, as he is now the leader of this team after having older teammates to lean on most of his career. His game has opened noticeably on offense though, passing less and shooting more.

This works, for now, but the idea that Davison can carry this offense the whole season to be successful isn't quite sitting with me as of this moment. Even with Davison's offensive explosion to begin the season, the Badgers offense isn't that great - but it doesn't have to be. The defense for Wisconsin is one of the best in the nation, and that's where Davison will (presumably) carry this team as the season progresses.

The Badgers defense allows less than 57 points per game with a defensive efficiency rating of 87.3. Despite the solid defense from Wisconsin, they simply don't steal the ball. They rank 258th nationally in steals per game, despite allowing the 12th-fewest points per game. This translates to suffocating defense and forcing opponents into difficult shots.

Wisconsin actually averages 4.1 blocks per game which ranks 88th nationally, as Tyler Wahl sees 1.6 per game. The Wisconsin shooting defense vs. the Marquette's love to get to the line will be the statistical matchup to watch in this game, but Wisconsin is no slouch from the charity stripe either.

The Badgers don't get to the line as much as Marquette, but when they do they typically convert. Wisconsin averages an 80.5% free throw percentage this season, which ranks eighth in the nation. As discussed earlier with Marquette, the statistical data (as cliche as this is about to sound) points to free throws as the biggest decider in this game. Expect fouls to dictate the winner late in this one.

Wisconsin has covered the spread in four of its last six games as the favorite. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Marquette Golden Eagles

• Record: 7-1
• VI Ranking: 36
• PS/G: 75.9 (117th)
• PA/G: 68.2 (181st)
• ORtg: 101 (212th)
• DRtg: 90.8 (95th)

Inside the Stats - Wisconsin Badgers

• Record: 6-1
• VI Ranking: 31
• PS/G: 68 (256th)
• PA/G: 56/7 (12th)
• ORtg: 104.6 (145th)
• DRtg: 87.3 (55th)

Key Players to Watch

• MARQ: Justin Lewis - F (16.1 ppg, 8 rpg)
• MARQ: Darryl Morsell - G (15.3 ppg)
• WIS: Jonathan Davis - G (19.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg)
• WIS: Brad Davison - G (15.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg)

Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Wisconsin Badgers Betting Conclusion

Marquette's ability to cover away from home and in the underdog role warrants a bet in my opinion, especially if you live in Vegas and can get the Atlantis line at +8.5. Even with DraftKings' +7 though, Marquette feels like a solid choice after many tough and close games played by the Badgers.

Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Wisconsin Badgers Betting Trends

• Marquette has covered the spread in three of its last four games as the underdog.
• Wisconsin has covered the spread in four of its last six games as the favorite.
• Marquette has gone OVER the point total in five of its last eight games.

VegasInsider Staff

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