Marquette Golden Eagles vs Villanova Wildcats Picks and Predictions January 24th 2025

No. 10 Marquette aims to bounce back vs. Villanova

After an impressive road victory, the 10th-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles are set to reassert their home court advantage in a pivotal Big East matchup against the Villanova Wildcats on Friday night in Milwaukee.

Register Here!

Marquette’s Bounce-Back Momentum

Marquette (16-3, 7-1 Big East) rebounded from a narrow 72-70 loss to Xavier with a commanding 76-59 win at Seton Hall. The Golden Eagles are determined to defend their 10-1 home record and maintain their position as a conference powerhouse.

Reflecting on the team’s defensive improvement, coach Shaka Smart emphasized the importance of energy and discipline.
“Our guys set a really good tone defensively in the first half,” Smart said after the Seton Hall game. “We allowed offense to impact our defensive energy last game, and that’s just not who we want to be.”

Marquette showcased its defensive prowess, forcing 24 turnovers (18 via steals) and holding Seton Hall to just 1-of-11 from beyond the arc. The team also found success offensively, sinking 10 of 27 three-point attempts.

Villanova’s Struggles on the Road

Villanova (12-8, 5-4 Big East) enters Friday’s contest after a heartbreaking 64-63 loss to Georgetown, where the Wildcats gave up a nine-point lead in the final minutes. With a 1-4 record in true road games, Villanova faces a tough challenge against a Marquette team that has dominated their recent encounters.

Following the loss to Georgetown, coach Kyle Neptune identified defensive lapses as the primary issue.
“It sounds simple, but we just didn’t get stops when we needed to,” Neptune said. “At the end of the day, that’s what it came down to.”

Turnovers have also plagued the Wildcats, with 16 miscues against Georgetown leading to 16 points for their opponent. Cleaning up their ball-handling will be crucial if Villanova hopes to compete with Marquette’s high-pressure defense.

Key Players to Watch

• Marquette: Kam Jones leads a balanced attack with 19.1 points per game, supported by David Joplin (14.9 PPG, 42 three-pointers) and Chase Ross (10.5 PPG). The Golden Eagles thrive on team-wide contributions, blending perimeter shooting with defensive disruptiveness.
• Villanova: Eric Dixon is a standout performer, leading the nation with 24.9 points per game and adding 64 three-pointers. Complementary players like Wooga Poplar (13.9 PPG, 6.5 rebounds) and Jordan Longino (11.0 PPG) round out the Wildcats’ offense. However, turnovers and late-game execution remain obstacles.

Marquette’s Defensive Dominance

Marquette excels in turnover margin (2nd nationally at +6.9) and steals per game (5th nationally at 10.2). Their ability to disrupt opposing offenses has been a cornerstone of their success, and Villanova will need to protect the ball to avoid falling into the same trap as Seton Hall, which committed 24 turnovers.

Shaka Smart’s emphasis on blending disruptiveness with sound basketball has been a work in progress but is yielding results.
“We’re trying to balance disruptivity with playing sound basketball,” Smart explained. “I believe we can do both and keep getting better at it.”

NCAAB Expert Handicappers

Villanova’s Path to Victory

Despite their struggles, Villanova boasts one of the most reliable free-throw shooting teams in the country, ranking seventh nationally at 79.9%. This efficiency could keep them competitive in a tight game. However, their road record and tendency to falter in high-pressure situations remain significant hurdles.

Historical Edge

Marquette has dominated the series recently, winning seven straight against Villanova, including a clean sweep last season. The Golden Eagles claimed an 87-74 victory in their last meeting in Milwaukee, a trend they aim to continue.

Game Dynamics and Predictions

Marquette will likely focus on leveraging its defensive pressure and home-court advantage to force turnovers and disrupt Villanova’s rhythm. On the other hand, Villanova must prioritize ball security and execute better in late-game scenarios to challenge the Golden Eagles.

Given Marquette’s momentum and Villanova’s road woes, the Golden Eagles are favored to extend their winning streak against the Wildcats. A disciplined defensive effort and balanced scoring should pave the way for another Marquette victory.

Basketball Betting Guide

What’s at Stake

A win would bolster Marquette’s dominance in the Big East, while a Villanova victory could help the Wildcats regain their footing and strengthen their postseason aspirations. Both teams have much to prove, making this matchup one to watch.