The UConn Huskies take on the Marquette Golden Eagles in Milwaukee, WI. Tip-off is set for 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
UConn is favored by 8.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -410. The total is set at 143.5 points.
Here’s my UConn vs. Marquette predictions and college basketball picks for March 7, 2026.
UConn vs Marquette Prediction
My Pick: Marquette +8.5
My UConn vs Marquette best bet is on the Golden Eagles to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
UConn vs. Marquette Odds
| UConn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -108 | 143.5 -105o / -115u | -410 |
| Marquette Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -112 | 143.5 -105o / -115u | +320 |
- UConn vs Marquette spread: UConn -8.5
- UConn vs Marquette over/under: 143.5 points
- UConn vs Marquette moneyline: UConn -410, Marquette +320
UConn vs Marquette College Basketball Betting Preview
UConn Basketball
UConn is firmly in the mix for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, which would be the second time that has happened in the last three years.
A trip to Marquette is the final regular season test for the Huskies, who are also going for their 18th Big East win and, at worst, a share of the regular season title.
I don't think this group is as good as the 2023-24 squad that won it all, but it's still a very impressive one.
UConn ranks inside the top 25 in KenPom's efficiency rankings on both sides of the floor, a sign of a balanced team without many weaknesses.
Alex Karaban is one of the great stories in all of college basketball, a four-year guy that, in the world of the transfer portal, decided to stick it out at one place. Karaban continues to be a leader for this team, a solid defender and a big shot maker in crunch time.
Beyond him, Tarris Reed Jr. and Solo Ball are two of the best in the Big East, with Reed being an absolute load on the interior, and Ball a threat any time he touches it on the perimeter.
All of that said, UConn can't just show up to Milwaukee and expect to coast to victory against a Marquette team that's been playing much better of late.
The Golden Eagles have made strides after a poor start to the season — a credit to coach Shaka Smart — and Fiserv Forum is always a difficult arena to get a road win in.
The Huskies lost to Creighton at home earlier in February and were in an absolute battle with Seton Hall the other night, so there have been some recent performances that are a little bit concerning leading up to this one on Saturday.
It'll be very important for Dan Hurley's team to get off to a fast start and take the Marquette crowd out of it. The Golden Eagles don't have the spurtability of UConn and will try to muck this game up a bit.
Braylon Mullins has an opportunity to be a difference maker if he can get hot from distance.
Marquette Basketball
There was a point in January where Marquette was 0-4 in the Big East and 5-10 overall.
It would've been very easy for this nucleus to wilt and for the season to completely tank, but that hasn't happened.
Shaka Smart's team has gotten much more efficient on the offensive end, and young guys like Nigel James Jr. and Royce Parham have expanded their games.
The Golden Eagles are now within the top 60 in most defensive metrics, an area that Smart-coached teams have long excelled in.
This team is still very much a work in progress offensively, but in its last two road games — at Georgetown and at Providence — Marquette went for 76 and 78, winning both in the process.
The Golden Eagles will have a major challenge on their hands on Saturday, as UConn can get after you in a bunch of different ways, and every offensive player is a legitimate threat.
Marquette has the athleticism and defensive chops to at least battle with the Huskies on that end, so a key will be when Marquette does have the basketball. Can it limit turnovers and get quality looks? Can Chase Ross have one of his monster games? Can one of the role players step up and have a hot shooting day?
Each of these questions will likely play a big part in deciding the cover, but I believe the confidence that a lot of this young core has gained will help in this one.
The Golden Eagles will also need to hold their own on the backboards against a Huskies team that attacks the offensive glass hard.
UConn vs. Marquette Betting Analysis
I'm a believer in the strides that Marquette has made from January and onwards this season.
Smart has done a fantastic job of keeping this young core believing and playing hard, and it's resulted in some much more encouraging results.
With a regular season finale that has a top-five team in the country coming to town, I expect the Golden Eagles to come out with their hair on fire in front of a loyal home crowd.
UConn obviously has the more talented and deeper roster, and I expect the Huskies to ultimately win the basketball game.
But I think the Golden Eagles will be competitive in a home game.
My Pick: Marquette +8.5
