Top NCAAB Pick: Iowa ML (-107) at Bookmaker (visit our Bookmaker Review)
There isn’t a lot of action on Monday, especially in the Power 6 conferences. But despite the shorter card at our main offshore sportsbooks, there are a couple of games that qualify as early must-win scenarios for squads from the Big East and Big Ten.
Villanova Wildcats vs. Marquette Golden Eagles
Monday, January 15, 2024 – 02:30 PM ET at Fiserv Forum
All signs point to a bloody fight in the Big East race, and some of that blood could get spilled Monday night in Milwaukee where the Marquette Golden Eagles are favored by 5 against the visiting Villanova Wildcats.
Eagles Have Won Last 4 in Rivalry
Marquette has taken both meetings each of the last two regular seasons, and won three of the games outright as the underdog. Both of last year’s clashes stayed ‘under’ totals in the mid-140s.
Villanova will be looking for its first win over the Golden Eagles since sweeping both matchups in the 2020-21 campaign. The Wildcats own a 27-16 advantage in the series with Marquette.
Backcourt Injuries Plaguing ‘Nova
Kyle Neptune and the Wildcats welcomed Justin Moore back to the floor last Friday, and while the senior guard showed some rust following a 5-game absence due to a knee injury, Villanova enjoyed its season-high on the scoreboard with a 94-69 rout at home over DePaul.
Moore’s return was the good news, but the bad news was the Villanova backcourt was missing Jordan Longino. The 6-5 junior suffered a sprained ankle in the previous upset loss to St. John’s and is questionable to play Monday at Marquette.
Shaka Smart will be trying to pull the Golden Eagles out of a two-game slide that started with a 78-75 loss at Seton Hall before dropping a 69-62 decision at home last Wednesday to Butler. Marquette was favored in both matchups, giving up 11½ on the NCAAB odds to the Bulldogs.
The Golden Eagles shot well enough to win at Seton Hall, but turned it over 14 times and were dominated on the glass. They did not shoot well against Butler (24-73, 32.9% FG), and the defeat halted a 20-game home winning streak.
The Pick
A close game down to the wire makes it easy to take the points and Villanova on the road.
NCAAB Pick: Villanova +5 (-108) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Monday, January 15, 2024 – 06:00 PM ET at Williams Arena
Off to ho-hum starts in Big Ten play, Minnesota and Iowa each hope to use Monday’s matchup in Minneapolis as a springboard into a lengthy run of victories on the conference slate to improve their chances of an invite to March Madness.
Iowa’s 87.1 PPG Tops in Big Ten
After dropping their first three league tilts, two of those taking place back in December, the Hawkeyes have won two in a row. Iowa went on an early 15-0 run at home against Nebraska this past Friday, watched the lead vanish, and then turned it on in the second half to pull away from the Cornhuskers for a 94-76 final and easily cover the -4½.
Minnesota was climbing the charts with a 7-game win streak prior to falling 74-62 at Indiana last Friday. The Golden Gophers dug an early hole and managed to can just 3-of-20 beyond the arc.
Totals Split Last 4 in Minnesota
Iowa has won the last four and was a double-digit favorite in three of those contests. It’s a pick ‘em this time, and the Hawkeyes will grab the road win.
NCAAB Pick: Iowa ML (-107) at Bookmaker
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Boston College Eagles
Monday, January 15, 2024 – 07:00 PM ET at Silvio O. Conte Forum
Given the current ACC standings, the only thing riding on the outcome of Monday evening’s Notre Dame-Boston College game is the winner just might finish ninth in the league to earn a bye in the first round of this year’s conference tournament.
Stomach Flu Leaves Eagles Short-Handed
Health concerns for the Eagles going into the contest and making it tough to nail down a college basketball pick. Boston College was without three players this last Saturday at Clemson where the Tigers prevailed 89-78 to just cover a 10½-point spread.
Quinten Post, Boston College’s leading scorer and rebounder, missed the contest due to stomach flu, as did Prince Aligbe and Armani Mighty. Even if they’ve recovered enough to suit up, we shouldn’t expect any to be 100%.
Notre Dame can’t blame injury and illness for a 67-58 loss in South Bend to Florida State on Saturday. The Fighting Irish were a pathetic 3-11 at the free-throw line and got pushed around by the Seminoles in the paint.
Irish a Rare ‘Dog vs. BC
Notre Dame’s chalk streak in the series ends at 9 games with Boston College carrying the favorite’s tag at -7½. The total is 136, and I like the final to come up short.
NCAAB Pick: Notre Dame/Boston College Under 136 (-108) at Heritage Sports
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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