Marquette vs Villanova Picks and Predictions: Golden Eagles Too Strong as Road Chalk

Marquette Golden Eagles (20-6 SU, 11-14-1 ATS) vs. Villanova Wildcats (15-12 SU, 14-13 ATS)

When: Friday, February 21st, 7:00 PM (ET)

Where: Finneran Pavilion, PA, Villanova

TV: FS1

Point Spread: MARQ -1.5/VILL +1.5

Total: 142.5

Money Line: Marquette Golden Eagles -122/-101

Notable Injuries

Golden Eagles

• Sean Jones (Out) Redshirt
• Al Amadou (Out) Redshirt

Wildcats

• Nnanna Njoku (Out) Knee
• Matthew Hodge (Out) Eligibility
• Malcolm Thomas (Questionable) Knee

Recent Form

Marquette Golden Eagles Recent Game/Games

Marquette improved to 20-6 on the season with an 80-56 win over Seton Hall on Tuesday. The Golden Eagles were -18.5 favorites at home and covered the spread, while the total points of 136 narrowly went over the pre-game line of 135.5.

Marquette took control early, leading 40-23 at halftime. They matched that offensive output in the second half, scoring another 40 points while allowing 33.

Villanova’s season record fell to 15-12 after a 66-59 loss to Connecticut on Tuesday. Despite being +8.5 point underdogs on the road, the Wildcats kept the game closer than expected, covering the spread.

Villanova led 34-26 at halftime but struggled in the second half, scoring just 25 points while allowing 40. The game’s total points of 125 fell under the 137.5-point O/U line.

Analysis

Marquette put up 80 points in their last game, shooting 53.6% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 64.3%. They connected on 65.5% of their two-point attempts and hit 40.7% from beyond the arc, making 11 threes.

The Golden Eagles dished out 18 assists and grabbed 13 offensive rebounds. Kam Jones led the way with 14 points and five assists, while Isaiah Coleman added 13 points despite shooting just 26.3% from the field.

Even though Marquette allowed 56 points, they struggled defensively, giving up 53% shooting from the field. The Golden Eagles allowed 30 made field goals on 56 attempts.

Marquette’s defense also allowed 11 three-pointers on 27 attempts, with the other team shooting 40% from beyond the arc. They sent the opponent to the free-throw line 13 times, where they made nine free throws.

Villanova struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 35.2% from the field and 34.4% on two-point attempts. They connected on 36.4% of their threes, finishing 8-for-22 from deep, and hit 81.2% of their free throws, going 13-for-16.

Liam McNeeley led the Wildcats with 20 points, while Wooga Poplar added 19 despite shooting 33.3% overall. Tarris Reed Jr. was efficient, hitting 75% of his shots and grabbing nine rebounds, while Solo Ball contributed six assists.

Villanova’s defense gave up 66 points while allowing the opposing team to shoot 45% from the field. They struggled to contain two-point shots, with the other team hitting 59% of their attempts (19/32).

From beyond the arc, Villanova held the opposition to 21% shooting, as they made just 4 of 19 three-point attempts. The Wildcats also sent the other team to the free-throw line 18 times, where they converted 16 of those attempts, shooting 88%. Villanova allowed 10 offensive rebounds in the game.

Betting Trends

• Through their last five road games, Marquette has an ATS record of just 2-3. However, their overall record was 3-2 while averaging 74 points per game.
• Across their five previous home games, Villanova has an ATS mark of 2-3. Their straight-up record in these matchups was 1-4 while averaging 63 points per game.
• The last five games that Villanova was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 2-3 while going 1-4 straight up.
• Marquette has done well both straight up and vs. the spread when favored to win the game, going 4-1 SU and 4-1 ATS in their last five games.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

Marquette is favored by just -1.5 vs a Marquette team that is ranked 16th in the country. Even though the Golden Eagles have two straight, I still don’t think they are playing great basketball. Yet, I see them winning this one more than where this line sits. I’m going with Marquette at -1.5.