Xavier (21-10) vs Marquette (22-9)
Game Info: Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 2:30 pm (Madison Square Garden)
Betting Odds: Xavier +2.5 -- Over/Under: 144.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: Peacock
The Marquette Golden Eagles and Xavier Musketeers meet on Thursday in college basketball action at Madison Square Garden. Here’s a Marquette vs Xavier prediction. This article will include a Marquette vs Xavier Pick.
Marquette Golden Eagles Betting Preview
The Marquette Golden Eagles (22-9, 14-17 ATS) are not playing well at the moment. They closed the regular season with six defeats in ten games, including the final two to UConn and St. John's. That was the second time in just a month that the Golden Eagles lost to both UConn and St. John's, while in the meantime, they did beat Providence and Georgetown. Marquette entered the conference tournament as the No. 4 seed.
Marquette averages 76.9 PPG (102nd) and allows 67.6 PPG (57th). The Golden Eagles are 273rd in rebounds (34.3) and 169th in assists (14.0). Kam Jones leads the team with 18.9 PPG, 4.5 RPG, a team-high 6.1 APG, and 1.5 SPG. David Joplin follows him with 13.9 PPG, a team-high 5.4 RPG, 1.1 SPG, and a team-high 1.0 BPG, while Stevie Mitchell chips in 10.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and a team-high 2.3 SPG.
Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview
The Xavier Musketeers (21-10, 17-14 ATS) on the contrary, are enjoying their best basketball of the season. The Musketeers won 12 of the last 15 games and are currently on a seven-game winning streak, their longest of the year. Xavier defeated Providence (twice), Butler (twice), Seton Hall, Creighton, and DePaul to secure the No. 5 seed in the Big East tournament.
Xavier is averaging 77.7 PPG (87th) and is allowing 70.3 PPG (126th). The Musketeers are getting 33.6 RPG (316th) and dish out 17.0 APG (26th). Zach Freemantle is the team’s top performer with 17.4 PPG, a team-high 7.1 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.1 SPG. Ryan Conwell has 16.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.5 APG, and 1.4 SPG, while Dailyn Swain contributes 10.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, and a team-high 1.5 SPG.
Why Xavier will cover
- Xavier has won each of its last seven games against the Big East Conference.
- Marquette has lost each of its last three day games against the Big East Conference.
- Marquette has lost the first half in each of its last five day games at Madison Square Garden.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of Marquette's last eight games against Conference opponents at neutral venues have produced a total of 142 or fewer points.
- Four of Xavier's last five Conference Tournament day games have produced a total of 147+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Xavier ranks 17th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (17.0).
- Xavier ranks 23rd among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game this season (16.8).
- Marquette ranks 19th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (28.8).
- Marquette ranks 20th among Division 1 teams for steals per game this season (9.1).
Marquette vs Xavier Prediction
Marquette won seven of the previous ten H2H encounters and five of the last six. The record is 1-1 this season as each team secured a two-point win on the road. Considering how close those games were, I expect another tight affair that could go either way, while overtime is not excluded as well. Xavier is playing its best basketball of the year and is in better form than Marquette, and I am leaning toward the Musketeers in this one. Xavier has covered the Spread in 19 of its last 34 games, while Marquette has only covered the Spread in 17 of its previous 37 games. Back Xavier to cover.
Oliver’s Pick Xavier +2.5
AUTHOR: Oliver Zivic
