#3 Villanova Hosts Marquette, Lastest Odds and Picks (February 10, 2021)

At the onset of the season, Marquette faced questions about their March Madness betting credentials.  Coach Steve Wojciechowski has held his position since the 2014-15 season.  In that time, he led Marquette to two Big Dance appearances.  Although predecessor Buzz Williams wasn’t popular, he was a winner.  This year Wojciechowski is starting to feel the heat.  Marquette is staring at the prospect of a losing season.  Naturally, coach Jay Wright and Villanova have no credibility issues.  Wright’s Wildcats boast an offense that is propelling them to NCAA Tournament time.  Villanova will be a big chalk Wednesday night.

Marquette Golden Eagles at Villanova Wildcats CashBet Wagering Analysis

Of course, Villanova has become one of the best sportsbook online leading brands.  Jay Wright is a dynamic high-profile coaching personality.  Wright has earned the trust of gamblers for his consistent success.  Counter to that is a Marquette program that has lost credibility with the college hoops betting community.  Marquette is in the red for 2020-21 and showing no signs of a correction.  Mediocre metrics are indicative of a program with nothing to offer handicappers.  Also, the Golden Eagles lack a marquee man that can take over games.  Thus, Villanova will get majority action on the board.

Not So Golden Eagles This Season

Late on, Marquette has failed to cover five of their last six games.  Only one of those six games cleared the 2021 March Madness betting total.  Marquette is 9-10 straight up, 6-13 against the spread, and 7-11 under the total.  National metrics show Marquette 185^th out of 350 teams for scoring offense and 172^nd for points allowed.  Of great concern is the Golden Eagles ranking of 268^th defending 3-point field goals.  Creighton beat Marquette 71-68 Saturday as 5-point road overlays.  Under the total paid in that game too.

Guard DJ Carton leads the Golden Eagles with 12.7 points per game.  While forward Dawson Garcia adds 12.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per tilt.  Guard Doby McEwen contributes 12.3 points per contest.

Jay Makes Wildcats Wright for March Madness Run 

Villanova’s notoriety with the betting public has been a drag on their bet on NCAA basketball value.  To show, the Wildcats have covered only two of their last five games.  Villanova is 12-2 straight up and 8-6 both against the spread and over the total.  Nova has national metrics of 50^th for scoring offense and 119^th for points allowed.  Defensively the Wildcats are a concerning 306^th against 3-point field goals.  So too, does Nova rank 249^th for offensive rebounding.  The Wildcats lead the Big East Conference. Nova is coming off an 84-78 win over Georgetown as 13.5-point home overlays.

Namely, forward Jeremiah Robinson Earl leads Nova with 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.  Guard Collin Gillespie adds 14.4 points and 4.8 assists per outing.

Marquette at Villanova Against the Spread

Overall, Villanova is 8-12 against the spread at home.  In Big East action, the Wildcats are 14-11-1 on the board.  Nova is 20-25 under the total in all games.

To summarize, Marquette is 10-7 over the total on the road.  On the road, the Golden Eagles are 6-11 vs. the line.  Marquette is 12-19 on the board in Big East games.

Villanova has covered four of their last six against Marquette.  Four of the last five in this series went under the total.  Specifically, at Villanova, the Wildcats have paid in two of their previous three against Marquette.  The last two games in this series at Nova went under the total.

Marquette Golden Eagles at Villanova Wildcats CashBet Free Pick  

In this situation, Villanova is the best choice.  Marquette has zero 2021 March Madness betting credibility.  As mentioned earlier, the Wildcats have paid reliably against the Golden Eagles.

Marquette at Villanova CashBet Best Bet: 

Villanova Wildcats