March Madness Pick & Prediction for Western Kentucky vs Marquette

Here's Western Kentucky vs Marquette odds and a pick for March Madness First Round game on Friday, March 22.

March Madness has arrived and Friday night's First Round matchup between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Marquette Golden Eagles is poised to capture the attention of sports bettors everywhere.

This game presents a fascinating clash of styles and strengths, offering ample opportunities for those looking to place informed bets.

Western Kentucky boasts solid shooting but has room for improvement when it comes to ball handling.

The Hilltoppers rank 189th in offensive efficiency, which, while not eye-catching, is buoyed by a respectable 109th rank in effective field goal percentage (eFG%). This suggests that when the Hilltoppers manage to get shots off, they can be quite effective.

However, WKU’s 267th rank in turnover percentage indicates a struggle to maintain possession, a critical factor against a defensively adept team like Marquette.

On the rebounding front, WKU's middle-of-the-road rankings in both offensive and defensive rebounding (191st and 80th) show competence without dominance, suggesting battles under the rim could be evenly matched or tilt toward WKU.

Marquette, meanwhile, has showcased a more efficient and disciplined approach. Ranking 22nd in adjusted offensive efficiency and matching that with a 22nd rank in eFG% signifies a team scores effectively and does so with high-quality shot selection.

The Golden Eagles rank 28th in turnover percentage, which further emphasizes that they values possession and minimize wasted opportunities.

However, their offensive rebounding (277th) and free-throw rate (344th) stand out as areas of concern, potentially limiting second-chance points and their ability to capitalize on free-throw opportunities, despite a generally solid offensive setup.

Defensively, the Golden Eagles shine brighter, boasting a 20th rank in adjusted defensive efficiency. Their ability to force turnovers (20th) without conceding easy shots (131st in eFG% defense) underscores a tough defensive unit.

However, rebounding remains a challenge. A 269th rank in defensive rebounding will potentially offer WKU additional scoring chances.

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After breaking down both sides, taking Marquette to cover -14.5 stands out as the best bet for this game.

Despite Western Kentucky's resilience and effective shooting, Marquette's superior efficiency on both ends of the court, coupled with its disciplined approach and ability to minimize turnovers, positions it as the likely dominant force in this matchup.

Moreover, Marquette's ability to force turnovers could exacerbate Western Kentucky's ball-handling woes, leading to fast-break points and a widened margin.

Additionally, this March Madness game will take place on a neutral court, which is likely to underscore Marquette's strategic depth and execution.

Back the Golden Eagles to cover the spread and advance in this tournament.

Pick: Marquette -14.5