This is a 10* MID-MAJOR SUPER BLOWOUT on Marquette.

I think the home side has enough significant advantages working in its favor to keep this game a lot closer than what the oddsmakers are leading us to believe. These teams are moving in opposite directions, but I think the conditions are finally right for Marquette to keep this one competitive. Conversely, I think this sets up as a bit of a letdown spot for the sixth-ranked Wildcats after winning seven straight. Also note that this is a revenge game for Marquette after losing by 18 in the first meeting between the schools this year. To me, there's no question which side will be "hungrier," the Golden Eagles have lost eight of their last nine, including four straight in front of the home town crowd. Marquette is expecting to get a boost today with the return of leading scorer Matt Carlino, who has been out with a concussion, missing the last three games including Saturday's 77-70 setback to Creighton. Villanova is most recently coming off an 80-54 destruction of Seton Hall and I think won't be able to help itself in coming in a bit complacent to this one, the exact opportunity that both Marquette and ourselves can take advantage of. And note that Villanova is already a poor 3-5 ATS after scoring 80 points or more, while Marquette is 4-3 ATS in revenging a road loss vs. an opponent this season, 10-6 ATS vs. teams with winning records and 6-3 ATS vs. good defensive teams that allow 64 points or less per contest. In my opinion, the situation, the numbers and the trends do all indeed point to the GOLDEN EAGLES as the savvy move in this contest.

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