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Game Preview Southern Jaguars @ Marquette Golden Eagles
The Southern Jaguars visit the Marquette Golden Eagles on Wednesday night at Fiserv Forum, marking both teams’ second game in three days to open the college basketball season.
Marquette, ranked among the early Big East favorites, opened its campaign with an 80-53 win over Albany. Chase Ross led with 15 points, five assists, and five steals, setting the tone for a roster built around intensity and defensive cohesion. Coach Shaka Smart’s squad started slow offensively but tightened up in the second half, shooting 51.9% after the break.
Southern, meanwhile, took a 109-77 loss at Arkansas in its opener. The Jaguars showed glimpses of offensive rhythm through Michael Jacobs, who scored 22 points, and Fazl Oshodi, who added 15. Still, facing a second consecutive major-conference opponent in 72 hours will test their stamina and depth.
Both teams are adjusting to early-season pace and conditioning, but the matchup provides bettors with contrasting styles — Southern’s high-tempo, perimeter-heavy approach against Marquette’s defense-first identity.
For more context on how tempo influences totals, visit alternate total points.
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Line Movement and Odds
Marquette opened as a -23.5 home favorite, with Southern set at +23.5. The moneyline prices show Marquette at -10000 and Southern at +2000, while the total sits at 149.5. Early action leans slightly toward the under, anticipating fatigue and slower tempo on short rest.
For real-time market tracking and updates, check the NCAAB odds and scores.
Southern Jaguars Outlook
Southern’s offense relies heavily on perimeter play. The Jaguars averaged nearly 79 possessions per game last year, ranking among the nation’s most up-tempo teams, and have started this season at a similar pace. They connected on 12 three-pointers at a 44% clip in their opener — an encouraging sign despite the lopsided loss.
Guard Michael Jacobs headlines the attack. A preseason All-SWAC first-teamer, he’s both a shot creator and facilitator who can stretch the floor. Fazl Oshodi and DaMariee Jones complement him on the wings, combining for 24 points against Arkansas.
However, the Jaguars’ defense remains a concern. They allowed Arkansas to shoot 58% from the field and were out-rebounded by 17. Against Marquette’s aggressive half-court traps, turnovers could pile up quickly.
For bettors assessing mid-major underdogs, read handicap in betting to understand margin dynamics in large spreads.
Marquette Golden Eagles Outlook
The Golden Eagles’ season debut showcased the hallmarks of a Shaka Smart team: defensive energy, unselfish ball movement, and relentless transition pressure. Marquette tallied 13 “kills” — sequences of three straight defensive stops — the most in Smart’s tenure.
Offensively, Chase Ross and Zaide Lowery led the way, but the Golden Eagles’ balance stood out. Eleven players scored, and the second-half improvement from beyond the arc (5-of-10 after halftime) reflected better rhythm.
Marquette’s offense is driven by pace control and ball security. Their free-throw efficiency (19th nationally) and rebounding advantage (+11 margin vs. Albany) remain crucial strengths. The Golden Eagles are 1-0 against the spread this season, consistent with their trend of covering large home spreads early in nonconference play.
For a breakdown of betting fundamentals, visit what-does-the-spread-mean-in-betting.
Key Matchup / Path to Victory
Southern’s only realistic path to staying competitive lies in perimeter efficiency. The Jaguars need another big shooting night from Jacobs and Oshodi to offset Marquette’s rebounding edge. Transition defense will also be key; they must avoid giving up easy points off turnovers.
Marquette’s focus will be maintaining defensive intensity after limited rest. Smart’s system thrives on disrupting ball handlers and converting steals into transition buckets. If the Golden Eagles force double-digit turnovers early, this could become a runaway by halftime.
For a detailed breakdown of offensive tempo’s betting value, read March Madness bracket betting.
Betting Trends
- Southern is 5-1 ATS in its last six road games vs ranked opponents.
- Marquette is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 nonconference games.
- Southern has gone over in four of its last five.
- Marquette is 4-1 to the under in its last five home contests.
- Southern is 0-6 straight up against Big East teams.
For historical matchup data, check college basketball teams.
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Prediction
Marquette’s athleticism and depth should overwhelm Southern, but the Jaguars’ pace and three-point volume make them a potential cover threat in garbage time. Expect Marquette to dictate tempo early before easing rotations late.
Projected Score: Marquette 85, Southern 70
Best Spread Pick: Southern +23.5 (-110)
Total Lean: Under 149.5 (-110)
For disciplined bankroll strategy and unit tracking, visit what-is-a-unit-in-betting.
Best Handicapper
Top performers on the Handicappers Leaderboard have emphasized value on high-spread underdogs early in nonconference play — especially when tempo favors late-game scoring swings. For futures analysis and national outlooks, see College Basketball Championship odds and John Wooden Award predictions.
Also explore NCAAB picks and the expert betting guide for additional insights before tip-off.
