Marquette vs UConn Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today's College Basketball Game

The No. 4 Connecticut Huskies look to stay hot as they host the reeling Marquette Golden Eagles this afternoon.

Dan Hurley’s squad has ripped off nine consecutive wins, whereas Shaka Smart’s Golden Eagles haven’t won a game since December 2.

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My Marquette vs. UConn predictions and college basketball picks are bullish on big man Tarris Reed Jr. in this January 4 affair.

Marquette vs UConn prediction

Marquette vs UConn best bet: Tarris Reed Jr. Over 13.5 points (-115)

The Marquette Golden Eagles have undergone an unexpected freefall early in the season, losing eight of their last 10 games to fall to 5-9 on the year. Usually, a consistently competitive team under Shaka Smart, Marquette has fallen to new lows.

Oddsmakers haven’t been able to adjust lines quickly enough, as the Golden Eagles haven’t covered a spread since November 15. That’s right — they’ve gone 10 games without a cover, no matter how much the books adjust.

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Naturally, expectations are low for this free-falling team with a Sunday afternoon road game against the fearsome UConn Huskies, who are 13-1 and are ranked No. 4 in the country.

Since the spread has been set wide in UConn’s favor (-18.5), I’ll instead devote my attention to the player prop market.

One of Marquette’s deficiencies is its interior defense, which routinely gets shredded by opponents. The Golden Eagles allow plenty of shots at the rim (202nd in near-proximity attempt rate, per Haslametrics), and those are converted at a high rate (211th in near-proximity field goal percentage).

That’s music to the ears of Tarris Reed Jr., UConn’s primary offensive initiator in the paint. He converts 2-point field goals at 64.2% and averages 14.0 ppg, and this is a prime matchup for him to feast inside against a soft Marquette frontcourt.

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Marquette vs UConn same-game parlay

Although the spread may look wide at first glance, it’s warranted as a slight adjustment to Marquette’s poor recent performance. The Golden Eagles haven’t covered a spread in a month and a half, or at all in away games this year, and are now playing against a UConn team clicking on all cylinders.

Hurley’s squad has cashed the Under in seven of its last 10 games thanks to a suffocating defense checking in at third in adjusted defensive efficiency (per KenPom).

Marquette vs UConn SGP

• Tarris Reed Jr. Over 13.5 points

• UConn -18

• Under 144.5

Our beyond the arc SGP: At the Reedy

Why not continue the theme of Reed having a strong game in a favorable matchup? Marquette struggles on the boards, ranking 227th in rebounding percentage (48.6%), so UConn’s top rebounder should thrive.

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Marquette vs UConn SGP

• Tarris Reed Jr. Over 13.5 points

• UConn -18

• Under 144.5

• Tarris Reed Jr. Over 8.5 rebounds

Marquette vs UConn odds

• Spread: Marquette XX | UConn XX

• Moneyline: Marquette XX | UConn XX

• Over/Under: Over XXX | Under XXX

Marquette vs UConn betting trend to know

Marquette hasn’t covered the spread in any of its last 10 games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Marquette vs. UConn.

How to watch Marquette vs UConn

Marquette vs UConn key injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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