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How to Watch
When: 8 pm EST
Where: Wells Fargo Center; Philadelphia, PA
TV: FS1
Stream: FoxSports GO
Radio: 610 Radio Sports
Bets are On
Villanova is on the line by -14.5, according to OddsShark.
Series History
Villanova has defeated Marquette 20-10 in the teams’ all-time series history. Notably, Marquette was the second team to deliver one of Villanova’s three total losses last season. In a thrilling game that kept fans out of their seats until its end, Marquette bested Villanova 74-72 last January.
Noteworthy Juice
No. 3 Villanova is looking to re-establish dominance against the Golden Eagles tonight. Receiving their first loss of the season last weekend in Indianapolis, the Wildcats blemished their undefeated record and displayed dizzyingly weak defense against Butler’s hard-pressed offense.
Eyeing to leave losses in 2017, Villanova will continue to look to leaders Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges for jumpstarting their offense. Brunson, topping ‘Nova’s scoring with 18.9 points per game, has also dropped a team-high 31 points twice so far this season. Bridges is close behind Brunson in scoring, averaging 17.8 points per game, but additionally provides a defensive layer for the Wildcats. Averaging 5.5 rebounds, Bridges also leads ‘Nova with 29 steals.
While Villanova is focused on moving past their last game, Marquette will likely attempt to “copy + paste” their previous Big East matchup. In a tightly contested game, Marquette defeated Providence in overtime 95-90 at the Friars’ home. Sophomore Markus Howard scored a jaw-dropping 52 points for the Golden Eagles, breaking the Big East conference record for three-pointers. Howard typically leads Marquette offensively, topping team averages with 22.6 points per game. Redshirt senior Andrew Rowsey is the shooting second-in-command, dropping 22 points per game and splashing 44 percent of three-pointers.
Will Villanova fall victim to losses by Butler and Marquette for a second-consecutive season? Can Philadelphia’s frigid temperature cool off Markus Howard’s hot shooting? Tonight’s game promises another eventful evening of Big East Drama™.