Villanova Wildcats vs. Marquette Golden Eagles Betting Preview
Where: BMO Harris Bradley Center – Milwaukee, WI
When: Tuesday, January 24, 2017 – 8:00 PM ET
Line: Villanova Wildcats at Marquette Golden Eagles – view all NCAA Basketball odds and lines
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Betting on the Villanova Wildcats (19-1, 7-1 Big East)
The defending national champs continued building a new winning streak Saturday night, as they eased past the Providence Friars, 78-68, for their fifth consecutive victory. They’ve been on some roll during the stretch, recording more points, assists, steals, and threes per game compared to their season averages, while also shooting better.
Against Marquette, expect more of the same from the number one-ranked Wildcats. Josh Hart (19.2 PPG), Kris Jenkins (14.3 PPG), and Jalen Brunson (13.9 PPG) are simply one of the most efficient trios in college basketball today. Along with the scoring, they are also combining for almost 10 dimes per game, which in estimate, would make them accountable (scored or assisted) for at least 84.7 percent of the team’s points this season (1,300-plus of 1,572).
Through that effectiveness, ‘Nova owns the third spot in Kenpom.com’s offensive efficiency rankings.
The team defense is also commendable. In eight of their 20 games this season, opponents have shot below 38 percent, and in the three times they allowed a field goal percentage that’s 50 or better, they still won with an average winning margin of 13.3 points.
Villanova is 19-1 on the season (13-7 ATS).
Betting on the Marquette Golden Eagles (13-7, 4-3 Big East)
Marquette will be coming off a great 104-92 win over Creighton. The Golden Eagles displayed an offensive onslaught all throughout the contest, as they collectively shot 60 percent from the floor and had seven guys score in double digits.
With the victory, they joined Villanova as the only teams that have beaten the Blue Jays this season. It was also the first time all year that Creighton gave up 100 or more points.
Offense has been the biggest part of Marquette’s 2016-17 campaign. It has shown great improvement from a year ago, as evidenced with ranking 18th overall in scoring (84.1 PPG) and seventh in Kenpom.com’s offensive efficiency rankings (jumping 135 places from last year).
Senior JaJuan Johnson is leading the Golden Eagles’ attack, as he paces the team in scoring (13 PPG) and steals (2.4 SPG), but should be able to get plenty of help from every where. Five Golden Eagles are averaging 11 or more points, and four of the seven guys in their main rotation are shooting over 50 percent.
Writer’s Prediction
The Wildcats win, 90-82.
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