Saturday College Hoops

Marquette ML/Kansas +8 (-114)

Marquette 1:00 PM EST , Kansas 1:30 PM EST Tipoff.

Backing Marquette ML for the first leg of this parlay for a few reasons. Seton Hall may have won the first meeting between these two but I think the script changes this afternoon. Seton Hall will be without their leading scorer in Kadary Richmond (16.4 PPG, 49 APG, 6.9 RPG) who scored 21 points in that first matchup against Marquette on 1/6. Secondly, this game will be played at Marquette and Seton Hall is much worse on the road compared to at home, averaging 8 PPG less on the road (77.38 PPG at home v 69 PPG on the road). The only thing that worries me is the rebounding advantage that Seton Hall had in the first game, they out rebounded Marquette 43-25. Marquette also plays better at home averaging 80.6 PPG compared to just 71 on the road. I think Marquette should have zero trouble winning this game if they play like we've seen them in the beginning of the year.

I may regret the second half of this leg but there's no way I can fade a Kansas team getting 5 points. I bought 3 points just to make sure but still, Kansas this big an underdog I will take them no matter what. The thing that worries me is how good of a team Iowa State is at home, they are a completely different team at Hilton Coliseum. At home this year they are averaging 84 PPG compared to 72.8 PPG on the road, and they are allowing 55 PPG at home (5th best in the nation) compared to 74 PPG on the road, just insane splits. The one advantage I think Kansas has this afternoon is Hunter Dickinson, I don't think Iowa State has anyone who can stop him. ISU tallest starter is Robert Jones listed at 6-10 and secondly is Tre King at 6-7, I think Kansas can control the paint with Dickinson and Furphy underneath coming off 23 points and 11 rebounds against Cincy on Monday.

Best of luck, I love Marquette, Kansas is gonna make me sweat.

Record: 4-3