Villanova needs a win to get into the NCAA Tournament, as they are currently part of ESPN first four out. A win over a top-10 Marquette squad would be a Quad-1 win and almost guarantee the Wildcats get into the Big Dance. Villanova is catching Marquette at the right time, as 2023 Big East player of the year Tyler Kolek, the Golden Eagles’ best player, won’t play tonight.
Marquette head coach Shaka Smart shared that Kolek will be ready for the NCAA Tournament and could see some time if Marquette goes further in the Big East Tournament. They have had an excellent season with Kolek leading the way, going 18-12-1 against the spread, but without their point guard, they ended the season poorly. The Golden Eagles lost two of their last three and only covered the spread once. Their offense stayed hot even without Kolek, though, hitting the OVER for total points in three of their last four.
Villanova has been solid this year, going 17-15 against the spread, but put themselves on the NCAA Tournament bubble by losing their last two regular-season games. The Wildcats narrowly defeated Depaul (58-57) yesterday and did not come close to covering a 24.5-point spread. Villanova has not covered the spread in their last three games, and their offense has struggled, hitting the UNDER for total points in their last eight contests.
Here is the Villanova vs. Marquette betting news, player props and a prediction for today’s Big East Conference Conference Tournament quarterfinal. The game tips off at 9:30 p.m. on FS1.
Villanova vs. Marquette live odds for Big East Conference Tournament Quarterfinal
Here are the spread, moneyline and Villanova vs. Marquette for today’s Big East Conference Tournament quarterfinal at the best online sportsbooks.
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Villanova Wildcats betting news
The Wildcats are not playing well right now, and even in the win yesterday, they did nothing to make it seem like they are ready for postseason play. Beating a 3-29 DePaul team by only one point is the closest a win has ever felt to loss. The Wildcats rank 85th for adjusted offensive efficiency and have a fantastic defense, ranking 14th for adjusted efficiency on KenPom.
The defense has done its job, but the lack of offense has made it difficult for Villanova to compete with high-caliber teams. They have lost to Marquette twice this season and will need one of their best performances of the year tonight to have a chance to pull off the upset.
With only one player scoring over 11 points a game, leading scorer Eric Dixon (16.4 PPG) will need to have a career night if he wants to play in the NCAA Tournament. The senior forward has 21 and 25 points in his last two games and can carry the offense. That could be enough to steal a win if he could match his season high of 34 points when he led Villanova to an upset over North Carolina.
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Marquette Golden Eagles betting news
The Golden Eagles are an excellent team, ranking 19th for adjusted offensive efficiency and 20th for adjusted defensive efficiency while playing the 20th-ranked strength of schedule on KenPom. However, Tyler Kolek was playing point guard most of the season, leading the way for the Golden Eagles.
An oblique injury has the entire Golden Eagle fan base holding their breath. It is fair to wonder if Marquette even wants to win today. Losing today and trying to get their team healthy in time for the NCAA Tournament would not hurt their seeding much, if at all.
Villanova vs. Marquette player props at DraftKings Sportsbook
Here are some of the top player prop markets for the Villanova vs. Marquette from DraftKings Sportsbook for the Big East Conference Tournament quarterfinal.
David Joplin player props
- 11.5 points OVER (+110) / UNDER (-140)
- 3.5 rebounds OVER (-135) / UNDER (+105)
- 1.5 threes OVER (-125) / UNDER (-105)
Eric Dixon player props
- 17.5 points OVER (-125) / UNDER (-105)
- 6.5 rebounds OVER (+124) / UNDER (-160)
- 1.5 threes OVER (-135) / UNDER (+105)
Justin Moore player props
- 10.5 points OVER (-125) / UNDER (-105)
- 3.5 rebounds OVER (-125) / UNDER (-105)
- 2.5 assists OVER (+130) / UNDER (-166)
- 2.5 threes OVER (+130) / UNDER (-166)
Kam Jones player props
- 18.5 points OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)
- 2.5 rebounds OVER (-150) / UNDER (+120)
- 2.5 assists OVER (-130) / UNDER (+100)
- 2.5 threes OVER (-105) / UNDER (-125)
Mark Armstrong player props
- 9.5 points OVER (+114) / UNDER (-145)
- 2.5 rebounds OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)
- 2.5 assists OVER (-140) / UNDER (+110)
- 0.5 threes OVER (-180) / UNDER (+140)
Oso Ighodaro player props
- 15.5 points OVER (+100) / UNDER (-130)
- 7.5 rebounds OVER (-105) / UNDER (-125)
- 2.5 assists OVER (-130) / UNDER (+100)
Stevie Mitchell player props
- 10.5 points OVER (+105) / UNDER (-135)
- 4.5 rebounds OVER (-105) / UNDER (-125)
- 0.5 threes OVER (-125) / UNDER (-105)
TJ Bamba player props
- 9.5 points OVER (-115) / UNDER (-115)
- 3.5 rebounds OVER (-135) / UNDER (+105)
- 1.5 threes OVER (+160) / UNDER (-210)
Tyler Burton player props
- 7.5 points OVER (-120) / UNDER (-110)
- 5.5 rebounds OVER (-135) / UNDER (+105)
- 1.5 threes OVER (+154) / UNDER (-200)
Villanova vs. Marquette prediction: Eric Dixon’s big night keeps it close
With a spread favoring Marquette and Villanova playing with desperation, the Wildcats should keep tonight’s game close and may even pull off an upset. The Golden Eagles are also not concerned about their spot in the NCAA Tournament and won’t play with the same fire as they typically do, especially without their leader and point guard, Tyler Kolek, who will be in street clothes.
Pick: Villanova
