UConn vs Marquette Prediction College Basketball Picks 3/6/24

The Connecticut Huskies will head up to Milwaukee to meet the Marquette Golden Eagles in Big East play this Wednesday from the Fiserv Forum on FS1. UConn comes in as 5.5-point road favorites, with the total hovering 151.5. Stay tuned for our Marquette vs UConn Prediction. 

Connecticut Huskies Preview

UConn jumped to 26-3 after defeating Seton Hall in Storrs, 91-61. The Huskies got revenge on the Pirates in a big way, and they’ll look to prevent allowing the Golden Eagles to do the same here in Milwaukee. Connecticut is scoring 81.6 points per game, on 49.7% shooting, while allowing 72.7 ppg, and they’re currently first in the Big East with a 14-1 record in conference play. The Huskies are 9-1 over their previous ten games, and they’re 6-3 on the road this season. 

UConn Team Profile

• Dan Hurley’s group plays methodically, averaging 68.7 possessions per game (279th), and they’ve knocked down 36.0% of their three-point attempts.
• Veteran guard Tristen Newton recorded a triple-double in the win over Villanova, and he leads Connecticut in scoring (15.3), rebounding (7.1) and assists (6.0), while scoring 15.3 ppg.
• Rutgers transfer Cam Spencer went for a game-high 25 points against Nova, and he’s second on the team at 14.8 ppg and 3.2 apg. 
• Sophomore forward Alex Karaban tallied a team-high 25 points in the road win over Georgetown, and he’s averaging 13.9 ppg and 5.1 rpg. 
• Bristol native Donovan Clingan posted a 19-point double-double in the Seton Hall victory, and he’s up to 12.6 ppg and 6.7 rpg.

Marquette Golden Eagles Preview

Marquette moved to 22-7 after falling to Creighton in Omaha, 89-75. The Golden Eagles let the Blue Jays pull away in the second half, and they’ll attempt to bounce back here against the Huskies. Marquette is scoring 79.4 points per game, on 48.3% shooting, while allowing 67.1 ppg, and they’re currently second in the Big East with a 9-3 record in league play. The Golden Eagles are 8-2 over their last ten games, and they’re 14-1 in Milwaukee this season. Marquette will meet Xavier after this one.

Marquette Team Profile

• Shaka Smart’s squad leans on their defense and moves at a methodical pace, averaging 71.7 possessions per game (157th), and they’ve shot 35.3% from beyond the arc.
• Senior guard Tyler Kolek (15.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg) won’t be available for this high stakes contests, and that could prove to be crucial here versus UConn. 
• Junior guard Cam Jones has stepped up by hitting the 23-point mark in three of his four outings, and he leads the Golden Eagles in scoring (16.1).
• Third-year forward Oso Ighodaro (14.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg), also missed the Creighton matchup, and his status will need to be monitored as well for this bout with Connecticut.

Connecticut vs Marquette Trends

• UConn leads the head-to-head, 9-8, after winning this year’s meeting in February, 81-53.  
• CONN is 18-11 against the spread, with a 16-13 O/U record
• MARQ is 17-11-1 ATS, with a 12-17 over/under record.

UConn vs Marquette Prediction

I grew up watching Shaka Smart create the Havoc Press at VCU, and I’ve been a fan ever since, but navigating through this March without Tyler Kolek is going to be a very tough task. The versatile guard’s absence was glaring in Omaha versus Creighton, and although the Golden Eagles will be at home this time out, they’ll face an even stiffer test with the Huskies coming to town. Connecticut controlled the entire contest in Hartford last month, and with their eyes on securing the number-one overall seed, a road win here in Milwaukee would be huge. Marquette showing up for senior night isn’t out of the question, but they’re shorthanded, and the defending national champions are streaking right now. Let’s trust UConn for this ranked Big East matchup. 

Corey Ghee's Pick: UConn TO COVER