It will be a battle between Big East opponents when the Marquette Golden Eagles (16-6, 6-4 Big East) welcome the No. 19 Butler Bulldogs (18-5, 6-4 Big East) to Fiserv Forum. The game is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 9, 2020.
Butler Bulldogs at Marquette Golden Eagles Free Prediction
The last time the Bulldogs played, they defeated the No. 10 Villanova Wildcats, 79-76. Butler’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Villanova. The Bulldogs had a rate of 0.635 (above their season average of 0.526), while the Wildcats posted a mark of 0.555. With 21 points on 7-for-8 shooting, Sean McDermott was Butler’s leading scorer.
The Golden Eagles defeated the DePaul Blue Demons in their last matchup, 76-72. Marquette was effective at getting and making free throws. The Golden Eagles made 29 of their 35 free throws (82.9 percent), while the Blue Demons were just 12-23 (52.2 percent). Markus Howard was the top scorer from either team with 31 points on 8-for-21 shooting from the field.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Baldwin scored a game-high 31 points in the first matchup, in which the Bulldogs defeated the Golden Eagles 89-85. He also had eight rebounds and five assists. Butler did a great job of getting and making free throws (27-31; 87.1 percent). Marquette, meanwhile, made 16 of its 38 three pointers (42.1 percent).
Conflicting paces will be on display in this matchup. Marquette prefers a fast-breaking style of play (49th in possessions per game), while Butler likes to grind-it-out (341st in possessions per game). Additionally, the sharp-shooting offense of the Bulldogs ranks 55th in effective field goal percentage (0.530), while the Golden Eagles are 40th-best in the nation at effective field goal percentage allowed (0.456).
Butler Bulldogs vs. Marquette Golden Eagles Betting Pick
Free Pick: ATS Winner – Butler, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Marquette ranks 40th in three pointers attempted per game (26.2) while Butler ranks 241st (19.1).
The Bulldogs rank ninth in rebounds allowed per game (30.0) while the Golden Eagles rank 177th (35.9).
Marquette ranks 32nd in blocks per game (4.6) while Butler ranks 153rd (2.7).
The Bulldogs rank 49th in assists allowed per game (11.0) while the Golden Eagles rank 128th (12.5).
Marquette ranks 195th in steals per game (5.4) while Butler ranks 226th (4.8).
The Bulldogs have been outscored by an average of 1.4 points in their last five games. For the season, Butler has defeated opponents by an average of 8.8 points.
During their last five games, the Golden Eagles have scored an average of 82.2 points per game (3.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 78.2 points per game (7.9 above their season average).