The Marquette Golden Eagles take on the UConn Huskies in Storrs, CT. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
UConn is favored by 3.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -180. The total is set at 144.5 points.
Here are my Marquette vs. UConn predictions and college basketball picks for March 5, 2025.
Marquette Golden Eagles vs UConn Huskies Prediction, Picks
- Pick: UConn -2.5 (Play to -4)
My UConn vs. Marquette best bet is on the Huskies spread, with the best odds currently available at FanDuel. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Marquette vs UConn Odds, Spread, Lines
| Marquette Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4 -112 | 144.5 -112o / -109u | +150 |
| UConn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4 -109 | 144.5 -112o / -109u | -186 |
- Marquette vs UConn spread: UConn -4, Marquette +4
- Marquette vs UConn over/under: 144.5
- Marquette vs UConn moneyline: UConn ML -186, Marquette ML +150
Spread
I'm taking the Huskies on the spread up to -4.
Moneyline
I have no play on the moneyline.
Over/Under
I have no play on the total.
My Pick: UConn -2.5 (Play to -4)
Marquette vs UConn NCAAB Preview
Marquette has reeled off consecutive wins by double digits, beating Georgetown by 15 and Providence by 30. It's not the toughest competition, but it gave the Golden Eagles a chance to build momentum.
Now they'll head to Storrs to face a UConn squad that beat them in Milwaukee a month ago and is also on a two-game winning streak.
The Huskies pose one mismatch that I can't see the Golden Eagles overcoming — the interior scoring from Tarris Reed Jr., who's scored 20+ points in consecutive games. Reed should feast on Marquette's poor 2-point defense, as teams shoot over 51% from that range versus the Golden Eagles.
Marquette doesn't have a true post-up defender. Maybe freshman Royce Parham factors in with his strength, but he's giving up length while starting "center" Ben Gold gives up plenty of strength, despite having the size.
Moreover, the Huskies have the shooting to cause real problems for Marquette's pressure defense. In the first meeting, UConn went 12-of-19 from deep. You can't expect that again, but the trio of Liam McNeeley, Alex Karaban and Solo Ball is pretty dangerous.
For this handicap to come to fruition, UConn needs to be careful with the basketball. I expect some turnovers — since Marquette brings relentless pressure — but the Huskies' shaky point guard play can't give the ball away 25 times again and expect to win.
That's why Hassan Diarra is so valuable for the Huskies. The veteran point guard gave the ball away four times in UConn's earlier win over Marquette, and he can't struggle like that in the second game.
I don't trust this Marquette offense, either. The Golden Eagles' offense relies on scoring in two ways: via turnovers leading to runout baskets and by shooting 3s.
Marquette shoots 31% from downtown. The team just isn't built for shooting a bunch of 3s, but Marquette still does.
For UConn, defensive communication is key. The Huskies allow opponents to connect on 36% of their shots from 3. That's the main culprit for the Huskies' porous defensive numbers, as they still rank outside the top 100 in KenPom's defensive efficiency.
At least UConn limits teams to 45% from 2-point range, which should force Marquette to fall more in love with the 3.
The Golden Eagles could struggle on the glass, too. They rank 222nd in defensive rebounding rate, which is a worry versus UConn's 35% offensive rebounding rate. Reed and Samson Johnson could create extra possessions and get the Golden Eagles' typically stout defense out of sync.
I'm fine playing the Huskies to -4. I like the matchup, UConn is playing a bit better right now and it's a home game for the Huskies. Life on the road hasn't been easy for Marquette, losing three of its past four road contests to top-55 KenPom teams by six-plus points.
