WKU vs Marquette Prediction, Picks, Odds | NCAA Tournament First Round Bets

WKU vs Marquette Prediction, Picks, Odds | NCAA Tournament First Round Bets

The First Round of NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament continues on Friday, March 22 -- and the fourth matchup of the day scheduled to tip off is Western Kentucky vs Marquette, which is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET on TBS.

The Golden Eagles are huge 14.5-point favorites on the spread in Friday's contest; with the game total stationed at over/under 158 at most sportsbooks.

Here's everything you need to know about WKU vs Marquette -- our expert prediction and betting picks for this First Round NCAA Tournament matchup.

WKU vs Marquette Odds

WKENT @ MARQ Odds

WKU vs Marquette Prediction

Second-team All-American guard Tyler Kolek is expected back for Marquette on Friday after missing the last three games with an oblique injury.

The Golden Eagles face Conference USA champion Western Kentucky, who is in the Big Dance for the first time since 2013.

Since Shaka Smart took VCU to the Final Four in 2011, the head coach has struggled to cover numbers in the NCAA Tournament.

At VCU, Texas, and Marquette, Smart's teams are 3-7 ATS and 2-8 SU in his last 10 games in the NCAA Tournament.

The Hilltoppers posted a solid 8-3 ATS mark as an underdog this season, as they are a double-digit 'dog for the second time (beat Louisiana Tech at +10 in February).

The last 14 wins for Marquette came against teams that did not make the NCAA Tournament.

Pick: Western Kentucky +14.5 (-110)

WKU vs Marquette Game Time & TV Channel

Date: Friday, March 22
Matchup: C-USA vs Big East
Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Time-TV: TBS, 2:00 p.m. ET

WKU vs Marquette Betting Stats

2) Marquette Golden Eagles
(Big East, At-Large)

  • Futures: +2300
  • Region: +600
  • SU: 25-9
  • ATS: 20-13-1
  • O/U: 14-20
  • PPG: 79.2
  • OPPG: 69.8

15) Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
(Conference USA, Automatic)

  • Futures: +40000
  • Region: +15000
  • SU: 22-11
  • ATS: 19-11
  • O/U: 15-15
  • PPG: 80.2
  • OPPG: 75.0

March Madness Betting Resources

March Madness First Round Odds

The NCAA Men's Tournament First Round will take place on Thursday March 21, 2024 and Friday March 22, 2024.

Check out the Teams, Odds, Betting Stats and much more on each of the four regions below: