A pair of Big East teams looking to end losing streaks get together Tuesday night in Milwaukee as the Marquette Golden Eagles (8-9, 4-7) host the Butler Bulldogs (5-9, 4-7). Marquette has lost three in a row overall and is just 1-5 in conference at home, while Butler is 1-4 on the road in conference and haven’t won in two weeks. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee and will be televised on FS1.
Marquette is favored by 4.5 points, and the total is 130. The Bulldogs lead the all-time series 23-20, with Marquette holding a 13-10 advantage at home. The teams split last season, with each team winning at home though Marquette coveted in both games. The Golden Eagles have covered in four straight against Butler, twice as the favorite.
Bulldogs Offense Has No Bite
Butler has followed a two-game win streak with a two-game losing streak as they scored just 55 points against Xavier and 51 against UConn. The under has hit in five straight Butler games, and they are 5-9 ATS.
The Butler offense has scored 70 points just once in the last nine games, and they have scored 60 or less five times in that span. Overall they rank 333rd in the nation in scoring at 62.4 ppg while also ranking 292nd in shooting at 41.3% and 337th in free throw shooting (61.4%). The defense allows just 30.5 rpg and 67.1 ppg but allows opponents to shoot 37.2% from beyond the arc, ranking 317th in the nation.
Though they don’t score much, the Butler offense is well balanced. Five different players have led the team in scoring at least once this season and five players average at least 9.5 ppg. Guard Jair Bolden leads the team at 12.6 ppg while guard Aaron Thompson averages 12.2 ppg. Guards Chuck Harris (9.8 ppg) and Bryce Nze (9.6 ppg) along with forward Bryce Golden (9.5 ppg) round out the top scorers.
In Saturday’s home loss to Xavier, the Bulldogs shot just 34.3% from the field including a 5-for-25 mark from distance. Despite committing just six turnovers, the Bulldogs lost by 13with their poor shooting. Nze led the way with 16 points while guard Bo Hodges had 11 points off the bench.
Slow Starts Doom Marquette
Marquette’s trouble this season has come from the start of games as they have trailed at halftime eight times and are 2-6 in those games. On Sunday they were down 15 at home to St. John’s before losing by four and in last week’s overtime loss at Providence they trailed 25-18 at half. Overall they are just 5-12 ATS including a 1-9 mark in the last 10 games.
Marquette is 6-2 when scoring at least 73 points this season and in Sunday’s loss they didn’t get any bench points. Freshman forward Justin Lewis was a last-minute scratch and he’s expected to miss Tursday’s game with an ankle injury
Freshman forward Dawson Garcia leads the Golden Eagles in scoring (12.6 ppg) and rebounds (712 rpg) this season. Guard Koby McEwen (12.3 ppg), guard D.J. Carton (12.2 ppg) and forward Jamal Cain (10.1 ppg) are also in double figures while center Theo John (8.1 ppg) rounds out the starting lineup.
Marquette’s key to Tuesday’s game is from beyond the arc where they hit 34.8% on the season and Butler has struggled to defend the perimeter. They also are +5 rebounds on Butler for the season and hit 72.9% from the charity stripe.
Betting Line and Pick
Marquette -4.5. Total 130.5.
The under has hit in five straight Butler games and five of the last seven Marquette games. It seems unlikely either team gets to 70 points in this contest as the Golden Eagles shot 42% from the field on Sunday and hit just 5-of-17 from deep.
FREE Pick: Under 130.5 (-110)