New Mexico vs. Marquette: Free ATS Picks & Betting Preview

New Mexico Lobos (25-7 SU, 15-17 ATS) vs. Marquette Golden Eagles (23-10 SU, 13-19-1 ATS)

When: Friday, March 21st, 7:25 PM (ET)

Where: Rocket Arena, OH, Cleveland

TV: TBS

Point Spread: NMX +4/MARQ -4

Total: 153.5

Money Line: New Mexico Lobos +146/-178

Notable Injuries

Lobos

• Shane Douma-Sanchez (Out) Shoulder

Golden Eagles

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

Recent Form

New Mexico Lobos Recent Game/Games

The Lobos fell to 25-7 on the season after a 72-69 home loss to Boise State on Friday, March 14th. New Mexico, who were -1.5 favorites going into the game, failed to cover the spread. The combined points of 141 fell short of the over/under line of 146.5.

New Mexico led 34-28 at halftime but allowed 44 points in the 2nd half while scoring 35. The Lobos will need to tighten up defensively to bounce back in their next game.

Marquette Golden Eagles Recent Game/Games

Marquette’s season record dropped to 23-10 after a 79-63 road loss to St. John’s on Friday, March 14th. The Golden Eagles entered the game as +3.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The combined points of 142 fell just short of the O/U line of 145.

Marquette led 37-35 at halftime, but their performance faltered in the 2nd half, where they scored just 26 points while allowing 44.

Analysis

New Mexico managed just 69 points in their last game, shooting 39.7% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 44.4%. They hit 33.3% from beyond the arc, connecting on 6 of 18 attempts, and went 19 for 45 on two-pointers, shooting 42.2% inside the arc.

Donovan Dent led the Lobos with 23 points and 5 assists, hitting 3 of 4 from three-point range. Tyson Degenhart added 22 points, while Nelly Junior Joseph contributed 19 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 63.6% from the field.

New Mexico’s defense gave up 72 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 39% from the field. They allowed 25 made field goals on 63 attempts.

From two-point range, the other team shot 42%, making 19 of 45 attempts. They also hit 6 of 18 three-pointers, a 33% clip. At the free-throw line, they went 13/18, shooting 72%.

Marquette struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 39% from the field and 20.7% from three-point range, hitting 6 of 29 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 44.1%, and they connected on 61.1% of their free throws, going 11 for 18.

Zuby Ejiofor was a standout, scoring 33 points on 73.3% shooting, while Kam Jones added 24 points, hitting 3 of 12 from beyond the arc. Marquette finished with just 6 assists and 7 offensive rebounds in the game.

Marquette’s defense gave up 79 points, allowing the opposing team to shoot 41% from the field on 28 of 67 attempts. Inside the arc, they connected on 23 of 49 shots, good for 46%.

From three-point range, Marquette held their opponent to 5 of 18 shooting, or 27%. They also sent them to the free-throw line 25 times, where they hit 18 for 72%. Marquette allowed 11 offensive rebounds.

Betting Trends

• When looking at their past three road matchups, New Mexico has an ATS record of 1-2 while averaging 71 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
• When looking at their past three home matchups, Marquette has an ATS record of 0-3 while averaging 72 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
• Going back to their last five games as the underdog, the Lobos have a straight up record of 2-3. But, their mark vs the spread was just 2-3.
• Across their last three matchups as the betting favorite, the Golden Eagles have an overall record of 2-1 while going 1-2 against the spread.

Joe’s Pick To Cover The Spread

Although this very well may not be the biggest upset of the day, I think New Mexico knocks off Marquette tonight in Cleveland. The Golden Eagles have kept themselves in games this year due to their defense and the playmaking of Kam Jones. But Marquette really struggles to rebound, make free throws, and are a below-average 3-point shooting team. A perfect recipe for being taken out early. I like New Mexico on the money line.