Dayton Flyers vs Marquette Golden Eagles Picks and Predictions December 14th 2024

Dayton Flyers vs Marquette Golden Eagles December 14th 2024

Don’t miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Golden Eagles and Flyers. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on CBSS, and it’s hosted by the Flyers at UD Arena in Dayton, OH. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 151 points, with Dayton being favored by -1 over Marquette.

Golden Eagles vs. Flyers Key Information

Marquette improved to 9-1 on the season with an 88-74 win over Wisconsin on Saturday. Playing at home, the Golden Eagles were favored by 6.5 points and covered the spread. The total points for the game reached 162, surpassing the over/under line of 150.

After trailing 39-37 at halftime, Marquette turned things around in the second half, outscoring Wisconsin 51-35.

Marquette’s offense put up 88 points in their last game, shooting 50% from the field. They connected on 63.9% of their two-point attempts, while hitting just 30.8% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 56.5%, and they were strong at the free-throw line, making 85.7% of their attempts.

Kam Jones led the way with 32 points and 6 assists, shooting 57.1% overall and 42.9% from three. Max Klesmit added 22 points, hitting 6 threes at a 54.5% clip, while John Blackwell contributed 17 points on 63.6% shooting.

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Marquette’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 74 points on 50% shooting from the field. The Golden Eagles allowed 63% shooting on two-point attempts, with the opposing team hitting 23 of 36 shots inside the arc.

From beyond the arc, Marquette’s defense held the opposition to 30% shooting, as they made 8 of 26 three-point attempts. The Golden Eagles also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 21 times, where they converted 18 free throws for an 85% success rate.

Dayton improved to 7-2 on the season with an 86-62 win over Lehigh on Saturday. The Flyers were -22.5 point favorites and covered the spread, while the total points of 148 went over the 145.5 O/U line.

Dayton took control early, leading 41-25 at halftime. They added 45 points in the 2nd half while allowing 37 to the Mountain Hawks.

Dayton’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 86 points with a field goal percentage of 57.1%. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 71.4%, thanks to their 14 made threes on 22 attempts, shooting 63.6% from deep.

Nate Santos and Keith Higgins Jr. each scored 24 points, with Santos hitting all 6 of his three-point attempts. Malachi Smith added 17 points and 9 assists, connecting on 3 of 4 from beyond the arc.

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Dayton’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 62 points while allowing the opposing team to shoot 57% from the field. The Flyers couldn’t contain the three-point line, where their opponents hit 14 of 22 attempts, a 63% success rate.

Inside the arc, Dayton allowed 51% shooting, with the other team making 14 of 27 two-point shots. The Flyers also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 23 times, where they converted 16 attempts (69%). Dayton did manage to limit second-chance opportunities, giving up just 1 offensive rebound.

The Flyers is our pick to not only win with a projected score of 77-69. But we also favor them to cover the spread. Our bet is on the Flyers at -1.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 151, and our model projects the Golden Eagles and Flyers to reach a combined total of 146 points. Our bet is on taking the under.

No. 6 Marquette Faces Tough Test on the Road at Dayton

The No. 6 Marquette Golden Eagles will face one of their most challenging nonconference matchups of the season on Saturday night as they visit Dayton. The Flyers, who boast a 23-game home winning streak, have already proven their mettle by toppling then-No. 2 UConn earlier this season.

Marquette Riding High with Kam Jones Leading the Charge

Marquette (9-1) enters the contest fresh off an impressive bounce-back performance. After falling to then-No. 6 Iowa State on Dec. 4, the Golden Eagles defeated in-state rival Wisconsin 88-74 last weekend. Kam Jones led the way with a season-high-tying 32 points, hitting 12 of 21 shots and showcasing why coach Shaka Smart considers him “the best guard in the country.”

Jones has been a standout, averaging 20.3 points per game while shooting an impressive 58.2 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from beyond the arc. He also contributes across the board with 6.6 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game, all career highs.

“When he jumps to shoot it, whether it’s from 3 or in the paint, I feel very good about it,” Smart said. “And, he also is a very, very willing passer. Really, really grateful for him.”

Jones isn’t doing it alone. Teammate Stevie Mitchell has been a consistent contributor, averaging 11.9 points per game. Mitchell stepped up on the road earlier this season, scoring 31 combined points in Marquette’s games at Maryland and Iowa State.

Dayton’s Formidable Homecourt Advantage

Dayton (8-2) has made its home court a fortress, with its last loss at UD Arena coming in February 2023. The Flyers have momentum from three consecutive wins, including an emphatic 85-67 victory over then-No. 2 UConn in the Maui Invitational. They followed up with dominant performances against Western Michigan and Lehigh.

In their most recent game, an 86-62 victory over Lehigh on Dec. 7, Nate Santos was unstoppable, scoring 24 points on a perfect 6-of-6 from 3-point range. Enoch Cheeks and Malachi Smith added a combined 31 points and seven treys, highlighting Dayton’s offensive depth.

“We gotta get more consistent and put together a 40-minute game,” Dayton coach Anthony Grant said. “But overall, to be in the position we’re in, I think the guys have done a good job.”

Santos has been particularly hot lately, averaging 17.8 points over his last six games and shooting 52.6 percent (20-of-38) from 3-point range in that span.

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Key Matchups to Watch

• Kam Jones vs. Dayton’s Perimeter Defense: Jones has proven he can take over games, but Dayton’s ability to defend the 3-point line could be a critical factor. The Flyers held UConn to just 5-of-25 shooting from beyond the arc in their upset victory.
• Nate Santos’ Shooting vs. Marquette’s Defense: Santos has been lights-out recently, and Marquette will need to find a way to disrupt his rhythm to limit Dayton’s offensive firepower.
• The Battle in the Paint: Both teams have skilled post players, and winning the rebounding battle will be key in a game that could come down to second-chance opportunities.

What to Watch For

• Dayton’s Homecourt Energy: With the Flyers’ long-standing home winning streak on the line, expect an electric atmosphere at UD Arena.
• Marquette’s Road Poise: The Golden Eagles are 1-1 in true road games this season, and this will be a major test of their composure against a high-quality opponent.
• Three-Point Shooting: Both teams have capable shooters, but whoever wins the battle beyond the arc could gain a decisive edge.

Outlook

This game has all the makings of a classic. Marquette’s high-powered offense, led by Kam Jones, will be tested by Dayton’s tough defense and homecourt advantage. The Flyers have already shown they can rise to the occasion against elite teams, while the Golden Eagles have demonstrated resilience in bouncing back from adversity.

If Marquette can execute offensively and contain Dayton’s perimeter shooting, they have the tools to come away with a hard-fought win. However, if Dayton’s stars like Santos and Cheeks get hot early, the Flyers could extend their impressive home winning streak.