In the always competitive Big East, every game matters. That’s the case on Tuesday for Marquette (9-18, 4-12) and Georgetown (13-14, 5-11). These schools have no chance at an at-large NCAA Tournament bid, but ending the season strong would go a long way for both fanbases. Will the Golden Eagles or Hoyas come out on top tonight?
Georgetown enters as 2.5-point favorites (-115) over Marquette. The total is set at 150.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here’s a college basketball pick, preview and prediction for tonight’s game between the Golden Eagles and the Hoyas.
Marquette vs. Georgetown prediction, preview
It’s been nothing short of a disaster this season for Marquette. Following four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, it’s been a true letdown campaign for the Golden Eagles. Head coach Shaka Smart opted not to dip into the transfer portal, a controversial decision that hasn’t led to terrific results. As a unit, this squad is second-to-last in the Big East with a +7.01 net rating.
If there’s a glimmer of hope for this program, it’s Nigel James. The freshman has been terrific, leading the team with 16.1 points and 4.9 assists per game. He’s joined in the backcourt by senior Chase Ross (14.5 PPG, 3.5 AST). After that, it’s slim pickings in Milwaukee. The Golden Eagles rank 254th in offensive rating (106.2) and 240th in defensive rating (108.8) this season. It’s difficult to pinpoint a single thing this group does exceptionally well. The continued absence of Sean Jones (foot) has hurt, especially when guarding the perimeter.
Granted, Marquette has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. The Golden Eagles have suffered single-digit losses to #15 St. John’s, Villanova, Seton Hall and Xavier over the past month. At a certain point, something has to give…right?
Georgetown is likely thinking the same thing. The school has come up short numerous times this season. That includes two agonizing defeats to #6 UConn, and several other close losses to conference rivals. At 13-14, it’s fair to call this a major disappointment for head coach Ed Cooley. On the bright side, the team is probably due for positive regression going forward. The Hoyas have a -.071 luck rating on KenPom, 333rd out of 365 Division I programs. They come into this one having lost five straight, all by single-digits.
The Hoyas are fairly limited on offense, carried almost entirely by their backcourt. KJ Lewis (15.3 PPG) and Malik Mack (13.9 PPG) account for nearly one-third of the team’s total scoring per game. Georgetown is somewhat inefficient on the glass as well. However, that may not be an issue during Tuesday’s matchup. Marquette is even worse, ranking 299th in college basketball with a 47.4% total rebounding rate. Seven-foot center Julius Halaifonua should take advantage of an undersized Golden Eagles frontcourt.
Marquette vs. Georgetown pick, best bet
Neither of these teams deserve the benefit of the doubt. However, it’s safe to say they’ve both been unlucky. The biggest difference is that Georgetown grades out better in terms of defense and rebounding. At home, those two skills could play a major role in this one. As modest 2.5-point favorites, I’m liking the Hoyas tonight.
