The top-seeded UConn Huskies will look to earn their eighth Big East Tournament championship when they battle last year's tournament champion and the third-seeded Marquette Golden Eagles in Saturday's title game. The Huskies (30-3, 18-2 Big East), the regular-season conference champion, are looking to win their first Big East Tournament title since 2011. The Golden Eagles (25-8, 14-6 Big East), who have won six of eight, advanced with a 79-68 win over Providence on Friday. UConn, which defeated St. John's 95-90 in the semifinals, is 2-0 against Marquette this season.
The game from Madison Square Garden in New York will tip off at 6:30 p.m. ET. Marquette is averaging 78.9 points per game, while UConn averages 81.3. The Huskies are 9-point favorites in the latest Marquette vs. UConn odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 143. Before making any UConn vs. Marquette picks, be sure to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the proven SportsLine Projection Model.
The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. It enters 2024 conference championship week on a 145-104 roll on all top-rated college basketball picks dating back to last season, returning more than $1,700 for $100 players. It also has a strong 28-18 (+820) record on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on UConn vs. Marquette and revealed its CBB picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for Marquette vs. UConn:
- UConn vs. Marquette spread: UConn -9
- UConn vs. Marquette over/under: 143 points
- UConn vs. Marquette money line: UConn -460, Marquette +350
- MU: The Golden Eagles are 4-1 on neutral courts this year
- CONN: The Huskies are 5-0 on neutral courts in 2023-24
- UConn vs. Marquette picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why UConn can cover
Sophomore forward Alex Karaban is one of five Huskies averaging 10 or more points this season. He is coming off a 14-point, four-rebound and two-assist effort in the win over St. John's on Friday. He has reached double-digit scoring in each of the past five games, including a 23-point, five-rebound and three-assist performance at Marquette on March 6. In 31 games, all starts, Karaban is averaging 14.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and one steal in 31.6 minutes.
Also powering UConn is sophomore center Donovan Clingan. In 27 games, including 25 starts, he is averaging 12.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.5 assists in 21.8 minutes. He has scored 10 or more points in 17 games, and has registered three double-doubles. Clingan scored 13 points and grabbed seven boards in the 87-60 quarterfinal win over Xavier on Thursday. See which team to pick here.
Why Marquette can cover
Junior guard Kam Jones has been red hot of late, reaching double-figure scoring in each of the past 12 games, including four games with 30 or more during that stretch. In Friday's semifinal win over Providence, Jones poured in 23 points, while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out five assists. He also had three steals. In last Saturday's regular season-ending 86-80 win at Xavier, he poured in 30 points, while adding nine assists and five rebounds. In 31 games, all starts, he is averaging 16.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 28.5 minutes.
Senior forward Oso Ighodaro has also helped carry the Golden Eagles offense, scoring 20 points, while adding three assists and three rebounds against Providence on Friday. He scored 24 points and added five rebounds, three assists and three blocks at Xavier on March 9. In 31 games, all starts, Ighodaro is averaging 14 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.3 blocks and one steal in 32.1 minutes. He has scored 10 or more points 25 times this season and has registered four double-doubles. See which team to pick here.
How to make Marquette vs. UConn picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 153 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits over 50% of the time. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins UConn vs. Marquette, and which side of the spread hits over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has returned more than $1,700 on its college basketball picks this season, and find out.
