Texas vs. Marquette Preview

We are now in the third college basketball season since former Texas head coach Shaka Smart left Austin for the same position at Marquette, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that the amicable break-up was a win-win for both parties 🤝

• After six solid seasons with the Longhorns, albeit with no NCAA tournament victories to show for it, Smart’s seat was starting to get a bit toasty….especially after suffering perhaps the most infamous loss in program history 😬

Still, even with his job security looking shaky, his decision to bolt for Marquette was a bit of a shock at the time. But leaving for a smaller, but more basketball-centric school that better fits his coaching style (read more) made plenty of sense…and both programs have since gone on to have some of their most successful seasons ever 📈

• Last year, the Golden Eagles won a school-record 29 games, while also capturing their first ever Big East title. The Longhorns won 29 games themselves, along with a Big 12 title, en route to their first Elite 8 appearance since 2008

This year, Marquette and Texas once again look like two of the most dangerous teams in the country, adding even more intrigue to tonight’s second-ever meeting between the two schools. Shaka has the pleasure of hosting his ex at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee — check out how the lines are shaping up for the Top-12 showdown 👇

#12 Texas vs. #8 Marquette Betting Preview

• Spread: Marquette -8.5

• Moneyline: Marquette -385, Texas +300

• Over/Under: 147.5

• When: 8PM EST on FS1

This year’s Big East–Big 12 Battle has already given us some great highlights (UConn-Kansas last weekend), and this matchup should have its fair share as well. Marquette (+1400) and Texas (+4000) are both teams with legitimate title aspirations, and neither has shied away from testing themselves against the best of the best in the season’s early going 💪

• The Golden Eagles took part in one of the most loaded Maui Invitationals we’ve ever seen, where they beat UCLA and #1 Kansas before falling to #2 Purdue by three in the championship. Their second loss this season came on Saturday against a tough Wisconsin team at an always-hostile Kohl Center ⬇️

The Longhorns have yet to pick up a signature win, but their only loss so far was against the reigning champs, #5 UConn. Tonight, Rodney Terry’s crew has the chance to make a statement, and it helps that electric guard Max Abmas seems to be hitting his stride at the right time 🔥

• You may recognize the name from Oral Roberts’ surprising run to the Sweet 16 a couple years back. One of the most highly-coveted transfers to hit the portal this past offseason, the fifth-year senior is the team’s leading scorer, and he’s put up 24.5 PPG over the last two

But Marquette has an elite guard of their own, the only one to be named a Preseason All-American this year. And while Tyler Kolek’s stats may not jump out at you, don’t get it twisted; he’s been as good as advertised so far 👀

The Kolek-Abmas matchup could very well dictate the outcome of tonight’s game, but this certainly isn’t a one-man show on either side. Texas has five players averaging double-figures, while Marquette has already seen four different players lead their team in scoring. In other words, we’ve got two deep, well-rounded teams all set to battle this evening — sounds like a fun time 🍿

Trivia Question: Which two teams did Max Abmas and 15th-seeded Oral Roberts beat in the 2021 NCAA Tournament?

For My Parlay Gurus

Oddsmakers are backing the Golden Eagles on their home court by a decent margin tonight, which makes sense, but I think the Longhorns at least keep it close. Gimme Texas to cover and the under — check it out 👇

• Texas +8.5 @ Marquette: -110

• Under 147.5 Total Points: -110

$100 on this bet would win you $264 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win an Overtime hoodie*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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Trivia Answer: Abmas scored 29 points as Oral Roberts beat Ohio State in the first round, then 26 in a win over Florida in the second round. He then dropped 25 in their two-point loss to Arkansas

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