College Hoops Odds: Marquette vs Syracuse

Saturday, January 21: 2:00 p.m.

Coming off a devastating loss Wednesday night, the Marquette Golden Eagles come into this weekend’s college basketball betting action in desperate need of a win. It won’t come easy however, as they travel to face one of college basketball’s best teams the Syracuse Orange.

After ending last year in the Sweet 16 and losing point guard Jonny Flynn to the NBA, expectations were low coming into this season at Syracuse. However, there hasn’t been a better surprise this season than the Orange, who’ve lost just one game in 2010, to Pittsburgh three weeks ago. They return to the court after a dominating road win at Notre Dame Monday night.

Here are some NCAAB Betting Trends which may impact this game:

• Marquette: 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games
• Marquette: Total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 6 games
• Syracuse: 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games
• Syracuse: 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
• Syracuse: Total has gone UNDER in 4 of their last 5 games

Syracuse has maybe the most balanced starting five in all of college basketball. Brandon Triche is the penetrating point guard, Andy Rautins the long range shooter (48 3-pointers made this season), with Arinze Onuaku and Rick Jackson down low. And doing a little bit of everything is junior transfer Wesley Johnson. On the season, Johnson has made a strong case for Big East Player of the Year, as he’s averaging 17 points and close to nine rebounds per game. Syracuse is the top field goal percentage shooting team in college basketball, making 53 percent of their shots from the field.

As for Marquette, they are coming off their worst loss in recent memory Wednesday night. Not only did the Golden Eagles lose to helpless DePaul (8-10 overall, 1-5 in the Big East), but lost the game in crippling fashion. Leading comfortably most of the game, they missed two foul shots late, blowing a four point lead in the final 20 SECONDS! Marquette will certainly need more than the 50 points they scored Wednesday night if they are to hang close with Syracuse.

The Golden Eagles biggest problem coming into this game, has been one that has plagued them for the better part of three years: They simply don’t have the size to compete with the Big East’s best. Their best player is Lazar Hayward, a workhorse down low that averages 18 points and seven rebounds per game. However, he is just 6’6, and is often forced to face much bigger players. The rest of Marquette’s lineup is filled out by lightning quick guards, and another smallish forward, Jimmy Butler.

Because of Marquette’s lack of size, their biggest problem coming into this game will clearly be on the boards. Syracuse ranks 40th in college basketball, grabbing 39 rebounds per game, while Marquette ranks 224th. If the Golden Eagles are to have any chance, they’ll need to get Syracuse’s big guys in foul trouble early.

Even still, it’s hard to picture Marquette winning Saturday afternoon. Although they’re definitely better than they looked against DePaul Wednesday, they have no where near the talent level of Syracuse either.

Because of it, the Orange should be able to control the paint, guard on the perimeter and let the home crowd help them to victory.

Take Syracuse in this weekend’s betting odds.

Aaron’s Pick: Syracuse by 13