Buffalo at Marquette College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/21/2018

Friday, December 21, 2018

Fiserv Forum

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Buffalo Bulls travel to Fiserv Forum to play the Marquette Golden Eagles on Friday, December 21, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Marquette as 3.5 point favorites.

Buffalo heads into this matchup with a mark of 11-0. They currently have a point differential of 17.3 as they are averaging 83.9 points per contest while giving up 66.6 per game. Marquette has an overall mark of 9-2. They are averaging 77.5 points per contest and giving up 66.6, which is a point differential of 10.8.

Valuable Buffalo Bulls Betting Trends

The Buffalo Bulls are 7-2-1 against the spread

The Buffalo Bulls are 4-6-0 against the over/under

Important Marquette Golden Eagles Betting Trends

The Marquette Golden Eagles are 6-4-1 against the spread

The Marquette Golden Eagles are 5-6-0 against the over/under

Key Buffalo Bulls Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Marquette Golden Eagles Injuries

11/09/18 G Greg Elliott Thumb is out for season

Player Spotlight

C.J. Massinburg comes into this contest averaging 17.9 points per game while playing 32.8 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 7.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 84%. Nick Perkins averages 13.5 points per game in 24.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.6 assists per contest and 8.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 66%.

Player Spotlight

Markus Howard averages 23.2 points per game while playing 34.8 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.2 rebounds per game and has 4.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 89%. Sam Hauser averages 14.7 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.8 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 88%.

Useful Team Statistics

Buffalo averages 83.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 25th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 17.3 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 127th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 226th in the nation. They average 40.3 rebounds per game and 18.2 assists per game, which ranks them 40th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 298th with 11.8 per game. The Bulls allow 66.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 71st in the country. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the arc, ranking them 96th and 45th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.8 rebounds a game which ranks 212th and they give up 9.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 12th place in Division 1. They force 16.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 315th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Marquette is 107th in the country with 77.5 points per game this year. They are 147th in Division 1 in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 10.8. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 115th in the nation. They are 48th in the NCAA in rebounding with 39.9 boards per game, and 96th in assists per contest with 15.1. The Golden Eagles are 74th in turnovers per game with 15.1. The Golden Eagles surrender 66.6 points per contest, which ranks them 70th in D-1. Their defense allows a 40% shooting percentage and a 29% average from 3-point range, ranking them 47th and 41st in those defensive statistics. They rank 91st with 11.6 assists allowed per contest and 83rd with 33.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Golden Eagles are 86th in country in forcing turnovers with 12.6 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 33rd in the nation in offensive rating with 113.7. In terms of pace they are 94th in the country with 73 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 117th. As a team they are 121st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shots, ranking 78th in Division 1. Buffalo is 331st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Marquette is 67th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 18.2 times per 100 possessions. The Golden Eagles are 149th in the country in offensive rating with 105.7. In terms of pace they are 144th in Division 1 with 71.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 119th. As a team they are 93rd in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 93rd in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Buffalo/Marquette college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Marquette -3.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink