Butler vs. Marquette Betting Odds & Predictions

Butler (11-12 SU 12-10 ATS) vs. Marquette (18-5 SU 14-9 ATS)
When: Saturday, February 4th: 2:00 ET
Where: Fiserv Forum Milwaukee, WI
TV: FS1
Point Spread: BU +15.5/ MU -15.5
Total: 143.5
Money Line: Butler Bulldogs +891/Marquette Golden Eagles -1806

The Butler Bears will look to be more competitive when they hit the road to take on the Marquette Golden Eagles in Big East action on Saturday afternoon. Marquette has been exceptional at home, going 12-1 straight up, and shouldn’t have a problem improving that to 13-1. The issue for bettors, though, is the point spread with the Golden Eagles, a huge 15-point favorite.

Line Movement

Marquette opened on some boards as high as -16 but has fallen to 15.5/15 depending on where you place your bets. The total line has been on the decline hitting the board at 145/146, and we’re now seeing some betting shops hanging 143.

Last Game Info

Butler lost to Seton Hall in their last game by a score of 70-49. But because the Bulldogs were +3 point underdogs, they finished with an ATS win. The combined 119 points did not surpass the 130.5 total line.

Marquette picked up a victory over Villanova by a score of 73-64. Heading into the game, the Golden Eagles were favored to win, with a point spread of -6.5. The combined 137 points did not surpass the 145.5 total line.

Current Form

Butler
Over their last five games, Butler has a straight-up record of 1-4 while going 1-4 vs. the spread. Over this stretch, the Bulldogs’ offense averages 58.8 points per game while hitting 39.8% of their shots from the field. On the defensive end of the floor, they have allowed opponents to shoot 50.5% from the field while allowing 75.8 points per contest.

Marquette
In their previous five contests, Marquette is 4-1 straight-up and 4-1 vs. the spread. In these five games, they have a scoring average of 79.0 points per game on a shooting percentage of 50.1%. Defensively, they allow teams to hit 46.0% of their shots while giving up 68.2 points per game.

Average Power Rating Of Opponents Played

This season, the combined power rating of Butler’s opponents comes in at 83.3. On the other side, Marquette’s combined opponent power rating sits at 82.3.

How Does Butler Fare On The Road?

For the season, the Bulldogs have played ten road games and have a record of 3-7. In these contests, Butler is 3-7 vs. the spread. Offensively, they have averaged 62.6 points per game on a shooting percentage of 40.5%. On defense, the Bulldogs allow 71.4 points per contest when playing away from home. So far, opposing teams have a field goal percentage of 46.5% in these games.

How Does Marquette Fare At Home?

In their 14 games at home, Marquette has an 8-6 record vs. the spread while going 13-1 straight-up. On offense, the Golden Eagles are shooting 51.4% on their home floor, leading to 84.6 points per game. Defensively, opponents are shooting 44.9% in these contests. The Marquette defense is allowing 69.4 points per game at home.

Offense vs. Defense

For the season, Butler is averaging 63.8 points per game (411th) while posting an overall field goal percentage of 41.6%. In today’s game, they will be matched up against a Marquette defense that has allowed an average of 70.6 points per contest. This year, opponents have hit 44.7% of their shots vs. Marquette. On the other side, the Marquette Golden Eagles are coming into the game averaging 74.4 points per game on a shooting percentage of 45.3%. The Golden Eagles will be facing a defensive unit allowing an average of 68.1 points per contest. So far, teams have hit 45.0% of their shots vs. the Bulldogs.

Three-Point Shooting

From beyond the arc, Butler has a shooting percentage of 30.5% while ranking 312th in attempts per game. The Bulldogs will be facing a Marquette defense that has a 3-point field goal shooting percentage allowed of 35.1%. Marquette enters the game having hit 34.7% of their looks from deep while averaging 8.61 made 3’s per game. On the other end, Butler has allowed opponents to hit 32.7% of their shots from beyond the arc.

Injuries Of Note

Butler

• John-Michael Mulloy (Out) Ankle
• Chuck Harris (Questionable) Concussion

Marquette

• Zach Wrightsil (Out) Knee
• Emarion Ellis (Out) Knee
• Sean Jones (Questionable) Wrist

Pick Against The Line

The status of Butler Guard Chuck Harris has yet to be determined, and if he doesn’t go, there isn’t anywhere else to get offense. The spread is ridiculously high, but it still may not be high enough. That said, I just can’t lay that much, and with an important UConn game on deck, they may give the bench some extra minutes. The Under is appealing, though. The Bulldogs haven’t been able to do anything right on offense. They have shot under 40% in each of their last four games and had a game-high of 58 points over that stretch. If Harris doesn’t play, 60 is probably a reach for Butler, and that gives us 80-plus points to play with. Take the Under 143.5