Marquette Golden Eagles vs Butler Bulldogs Picks and Predictions December 18th 2024

Marquette Golden Eagles vs Butler Bulldogs December 18th 2024

The Bulldogs and Golden Eagles are set to face off at 9:00 ET on FS1. The Golden Eagles will host the game at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI. The over/under for this Big East conference contest is set at 149.5 points, with Marquette being favored by -13.5 at home against Butler.

Bulldogs vs. Golden Eagles Key Information

• Sport: CBB
• Teams: Butler Bulldogs at Marquette Golden Eagles
• Where: Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum
• Date: Wednesday, December 18th
• Betting Odds MARQ -13.5, BUTL +700 | MARQ -1133 O/U 149.5

The Bulldogs Can Win If…

Butler Bulldogs Recent Game/Games

Butler fell to 7-4 on the season after an 83-74 home loss to Wisconsin on Saturday, December 14th. The Bulldogs entered the game as +4.5 underdogs and didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 157, surpassing the pre-game O/U line of 147.

After trailing 47-33 at halftime, Butler made a push in the 2nd half, outscoring Wisconsin 41-36, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

Butler put up 74 points in their last game, shooting 43.1% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 51%. They hit 8 of 25 from beyond the arc, good for 32%, and connected on 53.8% of their two-point attempts. At the free-throw line, they made 22 of 32, shooting 68.8%.

Pierre Brooks II led the way with 23 points, shooting 53.8% overall, though he struggled from three, hitting just 2 of 7. Nolan Winter added 20 points and 8 rebounds, while Steven Crowl contributed 18 points, shooting 70% from the field and 66.7% from three. Patrick McCaffery also chipped in 16 points, hitting 3 of 5 from deep.

Butler’s defense struggled, giving up 83 points, with the opposing team shooting 43% from the field. They allowed 14 two-point baskets on 26 attempts, a 53% success rate.

From beyond the arc, Butler’s opponents hit 8 of 25 threes, shooting 32%. Butler also sent them to the line 32 times, where they made 22 free throws (68%).

• Butler has played well in their previous three road games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 73 points per game while allowing 73. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
• The Bulldogs have played well in their last five games as the betting underdog, going 3-2 straight up and 3-2 against the spread.
• Over their last five games, the Bulldogs have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 1-4 vs. the spread.

The Golden Eagles Can Win If…

Marquette Golden Eagles Recent Game/Games

Marquette’s season record dropped to 9-2 after a 71-63 road loss to Dayton on Saturday. The Golden Eagles entered the game as +1 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 134, falling short of the 149.5 O/U line.

Marquette led 36-26 at halftime but struggled in the second half, scoring just 27 points while allowing 45. This second-half collapse was a key factor in the loss.

Marquette’s offense struggled in their last game, putting up just 63 points with a field goal percentage of 40.7%. They connected on 31% of their threes, hitting 9 of 29 attempts, and shot 52% on two-pointers. Their effective field goal percentage was 48.1%, and they made 66.7% of their free throws, going 10 for 15 from the line.

Chase Ross led the way with 19 points, shooting 60% from the field and 40% from three. Kam Jones added 18 points and 4 assists, while Zed Key and Javon Bennett each contributed 15 points, with Bennett hitting 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. Nate Santos grabbed 13 rebounds to go along with his 12 points.

Marquette’s defense gave up 71 points in their last game, with their opponents shooting 47% from the field on 29/61 attempts. Inside the arc, the Golden Eagles allowed 25/42 shooting for 59%.

From three-point range, Marquette held their opponents to 4/19 shooting, or 21%. They also sent them to the line 16 times, where they made 9 free throws for 56%. Marquette gave up 15 offensive rebounds.

• Although Marquette has a straight up record of 2-3 in their last five home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 69 points per game in these games.
• The Golden Eagles have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 5-0 straight up and 3-1-1 against the spread.
• In their last three games, the Golden Eagles have an over/under record of 3-0 and are 1-1-1 vs. the spread.

The Lean

For a point-spread bet in this Golden Eagles vs. Golden Eagles matchup, we’re leaning towards the Golden Eagles at -13.5. Although our projections show the Golden Eagles winning 76-70, we suggest placing your bet on the Bulldogs for the point-spread.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 149.5, and our model predicts the Bulldogs and Golden Eagles to score a combined 146 points. We recommend betting on the under.

Marquette Seeks to Rebound in Conference Opener

The Big East schedule tips off Wednesday night as No. 9 Marquette (9-2) hosts Butler (7-4) in Milwaukee. Both teams are eager to reset after some recent struggles, with Marquette dropping two of its last three games and Butler riding a three-game losing streak.

Marquette, known for its high-powered offense, enters the matchup aiming to bounce back from a 71-63 loss at Dayton on Saturday. Despite leading by 10 points at halftime, the Golden Eagles faltered in the second half, shooting just 4 of 17 from beyond the arc.

“I thought we allowed the chaotic and frantic nature of the game to affect our clarity of mind on the defensive end,” Marquette head coach Shaka Smart said. “It’s a real lesson for us, because you have to have that, and you have to have true connectivity as a group.”

Kam Jones: The Heartbeat of Marquette’s Offense

Kam Jones has been the focal point of Marquette’s offense, averaging 20.1 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game. Against Dayton, Jones scored 18 points despite battling foul trouble that sidelined him for much of the second half.

Jones’ ability to facilitate and score will be pivotal as Marquette looks to regain its offensive rhythm. Shaka Smart emphasized the need for the rest of the roster to step up when Jones is off the court.

“We’ve got to play with more poise when he’s not in the game,” Smart said.

The Golden Eagles also rely on David Joplin, who leads the team with 5.4 rebounds per game, to provide a strong interior presence.

Butler Looks to Stop the Skid

Butler, meanwhile, is eager to reverse its fortunes after three consecutive losses, including a 78-65 defeat to Wisconsin at the Indy Classic and an upset loss to North Dakota State earlier in the week.

The Bulldogs are led by three double-digit scorers:

• Jahmyl Telfort (16.2 points per game)
• Pierre Brooks II (15.5 points)
• Patrick McCaffery (12.9 points)

Butler’s struggles stem from inconsistent ball control, with the Bulldogs averaging 12.4 turnovers per game while forcing just 8.2. Cleaning up turnovers will be critical against Marquette’s defensive pressure, which forces an average of 16.3 turnovers per game.

McCaffery, a veteran leader for Butler, is focused on keeping the team’s mindset positive.

“I’ve tried my best to influence our younger players and the older guys to know our season is far from over,” McCaffery said. “We have so many games left to play, so many opportunities. You just got to keep pushing forward.”

Recent History and Key Matchups

Marquette has had Butler’s number in recent years, winning nine of the last 12 meetings, though the series was split last season with both teams winning on the road.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Kam Jones vs. Jahmyl Telfort: Both are dynamic scorers who will need to create offense for their teams, particularly in transition.
• David Joplin vs. Andre Screen: Joplin’s rebounding and interior scoring could challenge Butler’s defensive anchor in Screen, who averages 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.

Last season, Marquette’s Tyler Kolek (27 points) and Oso Ighodaro (17 points) were instrumental in a 78-72 road win over Butler. Both players are now in the NBA, leaving room for new faces to step into starring roles.

What’s at Stake?

For Marquette, Wednesday’s game is an opportunity to reset and establish itself as a top contender in the Big East. With their high-scoring offense averaging 81.5 points per game, the Golden Eagles will look to dictate the pace and force turnovers against Butler’s shaky ball control.

For Butler, the matchup represents a chance to regain confidence and end their losing streak. The Bulldogs will need improved defensive effort and consistent scoring from their trio of top players to stay competitive against Marquette’s potent attack.

Who will cut down the nets? Find out in College Basketball Championship Odds!

Prediction: Marquette’s firepower and defensive tenacity should overwhelm a Butler team struggling with turnovers. Expect the Golden Eagles to pull away late.

Final Score: Marquette 85, Butler 72.