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The Marquette Golden Eagles (11-2, 2-0 Big East) visit the Providence Friars (7-6, 1-1) as the Big East foes close out the calendar year with a conference game at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. The opening tip will be at 6 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Marquette vs. Providence odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
Marquette, which is No. 8 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, heads to Rhode Island off a 9-day layoff. The Golden Eagles last played Dec. 21, defeating Xavier 72-70 as 4-point favorites in Cincinnati. Against the number, MU has lost 3 in a row and 5 of its last 6.
Providence, which last season defeated MU 72-57 at home (Dec. 19, 2024, as a 4-point underdog), is also coming off a long layoff. The Friars last played Dec. 20, when they lost 72-70 at home to 5.5-point-favorite St. John’s. Since opening their season with 5 straight wins, the Friars have gone just 2-6. But 4 of those 6 defeats were by 6 points or fewer.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
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Marquette at Providence odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds. Lines last updated at 9:02 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Marquette -275 (bet $275 to win $100) | Providence +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
- Against the spread (ATS): Marquette -6.5 (-105) | Providence +6.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 142.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Marquette at Providence picks and predictions
Prediction
Marquette 72, Providence 68
Moneyline
No interest. PASS.
Against the spread
Marquette is 3-5 ATS over its last 5 games as a road favorite.
Providence has played 3 other Quad I games: The Friars went 2-1 ATS against Oklahoma (Nov. 27), Rhode Island (Dec. 7) and St. John’s. The one ATS setback came against URI, but that was after a late slide by an otherwise-in-control Friar five.
Since 2020, in series home games, Providence has gone 5-0 ATS. The Friars play at a deliberate pace, and that figures to cause enough problems for MU alongside its questions of rest vs. rust.
BET THE FRIARS +6.5 (-115).
Over/Under
The last 4 meetings in Providence have netted a 3-1 mark for the Under.
PU’s bottom-third pace brings the Dayton game to mind as a comp on MU’s slate. That Eagles-Flyers game cashed Under tickets and would have done so with 20-plus points to spare if not for a late scoring flurry.
Marquette has played a somewhat offense-leaning schedule to date; its already-solid defense is likely worth an uptick in how it is assessed. There is also some regression likely due in some mid-range shooting numbers on both sides. An odd-hour tilt on extra rest seems like an opportune time for that regression to kick in.
In a game with what should be slower-than-average pace, BACK THE UNDER 142.5 (-105).
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