Vermont vs Marquette Odds, Lines & Picks (March 17)

• No. 15 Vermont looks for a major upset against No. 2 Marquette in East region 1st round action on Friday, March 17th
• At least one number 15 seed has stunned a number 2 seed in each of the last two NCAA tournaments
• See the Vermont vs Marquette odds below, plus our prediction and best bet for this game

Is it possible that a No. 15 seed can notch a victory over a No. 2 seed for the third year in a row at March Madness? The Vermont Catamounts (23-10, 19-12-1 ATS) sure hope so as they get set for a first-round test against the Marquette Golden Eagles (28-6, 21-12-1 ATS).

Tipoff for this first round matchup in the East region is set for 2:45 pm ET on Friday, March 17th from Nationwide Arena. This game will be broadcast on CBS.

Vermont vs Marquette Odds

It’s not often a team riding a 15-game winning streak finds itself as double digit underdogs, but that’s exactly the case for the Vermont Catamounts in their 1st round matchup. Marquette have opened as 10.5 point favorites and haven’t fared too well against the spread when being pegged to win by 10 points or more.

In eight games where they’ve been double digit favorites, Marquette has a 3-5 ATS record, as opposed to an 11-4 ATS record when situated as single digit chalk. This is the biggest spread the Catamounts have had to deal with this campaign, but Marquette will also be their stiffest test this year.

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Catamounts Haven’t Lost in Over Two Months

The last time the Catamounts lost was January 11th when they were defeated by 15 on the road by UMass Lowell, a squad they beat two times since.

With a No. 15 seed upending a 2 seed in two consecutive tournaments, bettors are staring hard at their March Madness bracket and considering which region has the most likely upset in store. Never before has their been three consecutive years where a 15 seed has won. In total, 15 seeds have a 9-135 all-time record against 2’s.

Out of the 2-seed vs. 15-seed matchups, the best chance for an upset goes to #15 @UVMmbb vs. #2 @MarquetteMBB in the East Region. #DataFam pic.twitter.com/0QczKWrtcv

— Samuel Epley (@EpleySamuel) March 13, 2023

Vermont has very strong guard play and a trio of backcourt players that each made at least 55 shots from long distance this season. Lack of size is what might cost them as they don’t have a single player over 6’6 that plays at least 20 minutes per game. Luckily for them, Marquette isn’t a team of giants either.

Marquette Poised to Go on Deep Tournament Run

Currently amongst the top 10 contenders in the Final Four odds, Marquette bring a nine game winning streak of their own into this first round contest.

Surviving a scare from St. John’s, who forced them into overtime in their initial Big East tournament game, the Golden Eagles rebounded to take the title with huge victories over fellow league heavyweights, UConn and Xavier.

St. John’s was this close to upsetting Marquette in the Big East Tournament 👀 pic.twitter.com/1kHPPjkbPH

— SportsBettingDime (@SBD) March 9, 2023

In fact, save for a double dose of two point wins over a St. John’s team that gave them serious trouble, Marquette has won three of their last five by at least 12 points.

Everything for their offense begins with point guard, Tyler Kolek. One of the best distributors in program history, Kolek averages over 8 assists per game with over a 3-to-1 assist to turnover ratio, shooting 49% from the floor and 39% from three point range. He is the reason this team is steady favorites in the college basketball odds.

Vermont vs Marquette Pick and Prediction

The key to Vermont’s success has been their guard play this season, but in this game, they’ll run up against Kolek, who is a consummate leader and floor general. In addition, Marquette are led on the sideline by Shaka Smart, one of the best coaches in college ball.

Vermont vs Marquette Head-to-Head Stats

For those hoping for an upset, don’t look here. If anything, this Marquette team is a squad that looks poised to move up the table in the odds to win the NCAA tournament as the competition rolls along.

According to KenPom, the Golden Eagles rank 11th overall in the nation in adjusted efficiency. The only time this season Vermont played a squad anywhere near that level was when they were demolished 79-53 by Saint Mary’s back in November.

Our prediction is that Smart has his charges ready for battle and focused on the task at hand. Vermont will only stand a chance if the Golden Eagles look past them, but we don’t see that happening here. Take Marquette to advance to the 2nd round with an exclamation point victory.

Pick: Marquette Golden Eagles -10.5 (-117)

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