Marquette vs Seton Hall Odds
| Marquette Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -105 | 144.5 -110o / -110u | -225 |
| Seton Hall Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -115 | 144.5 -110o / -110u | +185 |
We've got a Big East clash at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
The Seton Hall Pirates will host the Marquette Golden Eagles on Saturday afternoon. It should be a terrific basketball game to kick off a loaded slate.
Shaka Smart's Golden Eagles are off an impressive victory against Creighton and are looking to continue building momentum.
Shaheen Holloway's team has been a pleasant surprise to begin the year, and they've already pulled off an upset against the UConn Huskies.
This should be a competitive ballgame throughout, so let's waste no further time and break down both of these teams to uncover the best betting angle.
Marquette Golden Eagles
The Golden Eagles remain among the nation's elite, primarily because of their excellent balance. They enter this matchup 25th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency and ninth in defensive efficiency.
Guard Tyler Kolek has been sensational this season. His 41% 3-point shooting clip only illustrates half of the story, and his backcourt mate Kam Jones is shooting 38% from deep.
Unfortunately, besides Jones and Kolek, the Golden Eagles are struggling from deep. They're shooting 32% from deep as a team, with the rest of the roster dragging down the backcourt.
Marquette is experienced and prides itself on protecting the basketball and taking high-percentage shots, so once they start hitting 3s, they'll be a tough team to beat.
For this game in particular, there should be an opportunity to break out of their 3-point slump, given the Pirates rank 234th nationally in 3-point shooting allowed.
The Pirates' defensive strength lies on the interior, but the Golden Eagles should still have the edge. The biggest difference maker in this contest will be on the defensive side of the floor.
Smart-led teams are always smart with the rock, and these Eagles rank ninth nationally in turnover rate.
Meanwhile, they're very aggressive defensively but manage to do so without fouling.
I am worried about how many 3s the Eagles give. They're a bottom-20 team nationally in 3-point attempts per game allowed, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Seton Hall firing from deep more than usual.
Playing in Newark isn't easy, but the Eagles have a distinct talent advantage on Saturday.
Seton Hall Pirates
The Pirates have had moments of excellence this season, but I think they can get even better during conference play.
More specifically, the Pirates could shoot better from 3 in conference play. They've struggled so far, which is why they don't take many.
On paper, this is not the best matchup for the Pirates. They are facing a very aggressive defense that loves to force turnovers and get out in transition.
Seton Hall's path to victory, or a cover, seems clear to me: crash the glass and hit free throws.
The Eagles don't foul often, but the Pirates are a solid free-throw shooting team.
I worry about their ball-handling, but I expect them to slow the pace and limit possessions. They should be able to do this with their rebounding edge, as the Pirates rank 11th nationally in offensive rebounding rate.
These teams are similarly sized, but the Pirates have a thinner rotation. The Golden Eagles don't have much depth either, but it's something to consider.
If I were Shaheen Holloway, I'd be jamming the Marquette vs Wisconsin tape down his team's throat. The way the Badgers dominated that game fits the mold of this Pirates team.
In my opinion, Seton Hall isn't as talented as Wisco, but the Pirates can do what the Badgers did in that game. Specifically, score inside, slow the tempo, box out efficiently and cash in at the charity stripe.
The home crowd should provide some juice, so I think the Pirates can keep it close.
Besides, the Pirates dominated UConn a few weeks ago despite hitting only four 3s.
Marquette vs. Seton Hall
Betting Pick & Prediction
This is a prime home-cooking spot for the Pirates.
I realize the Golden Eagles are much more talented, but they're due for a letdown after downing Creighton last Saturday.
If the Pirates follow the Wisconsin formula, they can pull off the upset.
I am worried about how turnover-prone Seton Hall can be, but if the Pirates protect the basketball, they should hold their own.
The rebounding advantage for the Pirates should go a long way, and their slow tempo should put the Golden Eagles out of their comfort zone. Their ability to earn second scoring chances should correlate to extra points and more clock churned from the clock.
Additionally, this isn't the worst spot to grab an Under, as both teams struggle to shoot.
But I feel much stronger about the Pirates, and I think this is an excellent spot to grab the home 'dog.
Pick: Seton Hall +6.5 (Play to +5)
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