C. Michigan Chippewas vs Marquette Golden Eagles Point Spread Picks

Central Michigan has a frontcourt force to throw at Marquette in 7-foot senior center Nathan Claerbaut (11.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg). He had 14 rebounds in their last road game, when they covered as a +5.5 underdog in a 66-64 loss at South Alabama. Central Michigan is on an 8-5-1 ATS run as a dog. Marquette has lost three of four, with the defense allowing an average of 78.75 points per game. They were favored by 8.5 and 6.5 points in the last two, but lost to Maryland (89-82) and Dayton (77-71). Marquette is on a 10-23 ATS run. These teams met last season, with Marquette winning 70-62 as a 26.5-point favorite. Play Central Michigan. 

Central Michigan comes off a 7-23 campaign struggling offensively, third-worst in the MAC in scoring (65.9 ppg) and last in field goal shooting (.409). Much of the same crew returns and they haven't had a lot of time to get in sync offensively, playing just one exhibition match against Division 2 Northwood University. Marquette has a coach that preaches terrific defense in Shaka Smart. Last season, they allowed .412 shooting by opponents and were fifth in the Big East at defending beyond the arc (.320). Smart is 58-38 UNDER the total as a double-digit favorite while Marquette is 35-20 UNDER at home when the total is 150 to 159.5. Take Central Michigan/Marquette UNDER the total.