Marquette Golden Eagles vs Xavier Musketeers Picks and Predictions January 18th 2025

Marquette Golden Eagles vs Xavier Musketeers January 18th 2025

Planning on watching today’s Musketeers and Golden Eagles game? Catch the action at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI, as the Golden Eagles hosts this showdown at 2:00 ET on FOX. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 147.5 points, and Marquette is favored by -9.5 to win at home against Xavier.

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Musketeers vs. Golden Eagles Key Information

• Sport: CBB
• Teams: Xavier Musketeers at Marquette Golden Eagles
• Where: Milwaukee at Fiserv Forum
• Date: Saturday, January 18th
• Betting Odds MARQ -9.5, XAV +350 | MARQ -480 O/U 147.5

The Musketeers Can Win If…

Xavier Musketeers Recent Game/Games

Xavier improved to 11-7 on the season with a 69-63 win over Villanova on Tuesday. The Musketeers were favored by three points and covered the spread with the win.

After trailing 32-24 at halftime, Xavier turned things around by scoring 45 points in the second half while holding Villanova to 31. The total points for the game were 132, falling short of the 146.5 O/U line.

In their last game, Xavier put up 69 points, shooting 40.8% from the field. They hit 10 of 25 threes, connecting at a 40% rate, and finished with an effective field goal percentage of 51%. At the free-throw line, they made 19 of 26 attempts, good for 73.1%.

Ryan Conwell led the way with 34 points, hitting 6 of 10 from deep and shooting 61.5% overall. Eric Dixon and Jordan Longino each added 18 points, with both players making 3 of 5 threes. The Musketeers totaled 16 assists and grabbed 7 offensive rebounds in the game.

Even with Xavier’s defense holding their opponent to 63 points, the Musketeers couldn’t capitalize on the offensive end. They allowed the other team to shoot 40% from the field, including 10 made threes on 25 attempts, a 40% clip.

Xavier also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 26 times, where they converted 19 shots for 73%. The Musketeers gave up 7 offensive rebounds in the game.

• When looking at their past five road matchups, Xavier has an ATS record of 3-2 while averaging 73 per game. The team went 1-4 overall in these games.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Xavier has an ATS mark of 3-7 while going 0-10 straight up.
• Over their last three games, the Musketeers have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Golden Eagles Can Win If…

Marquette Golden Eagles Recent Game/Games

Marquette improved to 15-2 on the season with an 85-83 road win over DePaul on Tuesday. The Golden Eagles entered the game as 13-point favorites but didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 168, surpassing the over/under line of 146.5.

After trailing 40-39 at halftime, Marquette tightened up defensively in the second half, allowing just 27 points while scoring 28 of their own to secure the victory.

Marquette put up 85 points in their last game, shooting 42.6% from the field and 35.1% from three-point range, hitting 13 of 37 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 52.9%, and they struggled at the free-throw line, making just 58.3% of their shots.

David Joplin led the way with 30 points, connecting on 7 of 13 threes, while Isaiah Rivera was 6 of 8 from deep, finishing with 20 points in just 16 minutes. Kam Jones added 18 points and 11 assists, despite shooting 1 of 10 from beyond the arc.

Marquette’s defense struggled in their previous game, giving up 83 points on 51% shooting from the field. They allowed their opponent to hit 65% of their two-point attempts, with 21 makes on 32 tries.

From beyond the arc, Marquette’s opponent connected on 12 of 32 three-point attempts, shooting 37%. They also sent them to the free-throw line 8 times, where they made 5, shooting 62%. Marquette gave up 11 offensive rebounds.

• Across the Golden Eagles last five home games, the team averaged 73 points per game while allowing 71. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-4, while going 3-2 straight-up.
• Over the team’s last three games as the favorite, the Golden Eagles struggled vs the spread going just 0-3. However, they still had a straight up mark of 3-0.
• In their last five games, the Golden Eagles have an over/under record of 4-1 and are 1-4 vs. the spread.

The Lean

For a point-spread wager in this Golden Eagles vs. Golden Eagles game, we suggest taking the Golden Eagles at -9.5. Even though our predictions have the Golden Eagles winning 76-70, we see the Musketeers as the better choice on the point-spread.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 147.5, and our model projects the Musketeers and Golden Eagles to reach a combined total of 146 points. Our bet is on taking the under.

NCAAB Expert Handicappers

Fresh Off a Scare, No. 7 Marquette Looks to Keep Guard Up Against Xavier

No. 7 Marquette aims to address recent vulnerabilities as it hosts a confident Xavier squad in a pivotal Big East matchup this Saturday in Milwaukee.

Marquette’s Close Call Against DePaul

Marquette fans breathed a collective sigh of relief on Tuesday night after their team narrowly avoided a shocking upset at the hands of DePaul. Down by four with just 54 seconds left in regulation, the Golden Eagles rallied to force overtime and secured an 85-83 victory.

While the win extended their streak to six games and preserved their pristine 6-0 Big East record, head coach Shaka Smart wasn’t entirely satisfied. A glaring issue emerged: Marquette’s second unit contributed zero points.

“For us, hopefully we can gain some humility from this game,” Smart said. “Hopefully, the guys coming off the bench can gain humility from this game and we can be better in our next game.”

Star Performances and Persistent Challenges

David Joplin’s Breakout Game

Marquette’s victory would have been impossible without a career night from David Joplin, who exploded for 30 points, sinking 7-of-13 shots from beyond the arc. His performance showcased the potential depth in Marquette’s roster—if other bench players can follow suit.

Kam Jones’ Shooting Slump

Kam Jones, a preseason All-Big East first-team selection, contributed 18 points and 11 assists against DePaul. However, his struggles from the 3-point line continued, as he managed just 1-for-10 from deep. Over his last six games, Jones has hit only 20% of his attempts from downtown.

Smart remains confident in his star player: “Kam is such a conscientious, awesome guy. I wouldn’t trade him for anyone in the world. But sometimes he holds on so tight, he wants it so much, that it can affect his shooting.”

Xavier Finds Confidence Amid a Tough Schedule

Xavier enters Saturday’s contest on a modest two-game winning streak, including a 69-63 victory over Villanova on Tuesday. The Musketeers are bracing for a tough four-game stretch, featuring three road matchups and a home game against No. 14 UConn.

Head coach Sean Miller believes the team is peaking at the right time. “The DePaul game gave us some confidence, [Tuesday] gave us some confidence. Now we’re ready to go through a very difficult stretch,” Miller said.

Basketball Betting Guide

Ryan Conwell Breaks Through

Much of Xavier’s renewed momentum stems from the resurgence of their leading scorer, Ryan Conwell. After a recent shooting slump, Conwell torched Villanova with 34 points, including 6-of-10 from 3-point range. “Shoutout to my teammates and coaches. They put so much confidence in me to keep shooting,” Conwell said. “I just trust my work and trust in the position the Lord has put me in.”

Complementary Contributions

Alongside Conwell, Zach Freemantle has been a consistent force for the Musketeers, averaging 16.9 points per game. Together, they provide a formidable offensive duo capable of challenging Marquette’s defense.

A Critical Big East Matchup

The two teams last met on Dec. 21, with Marquette scraping out a 72-70 road victory. Saturday’s rematch is shaping up to be just as tightly contested.

Marquette’s Keys to Victory

• Bench Contributions: The Golden Eagles can’t afford another scoreless performance from their reserves.
• Kam Jones’ Shooting: Jones regaining his touch from long range could shift the momentum firmly in Marquette’s favor.
• Home-Court Advantage: Playing in Milwaukee gives Marquette an edge, provided they can maintain focus.

Xavier’s Path to an Upset

• Conwell’s Consistency: Another standout performance from Conwell could be the difference-maker.
• Defensive Intensity: Slowing down Marquette’s offensive rhythm, particularly Joplin and Jones, will be crucial.
• Momentum: Xavier’s recent wins have boosted their confidence, and carrying that energy into Saturday could lead to a statement victory.

Prediction: A Battle to the Finish

Both teams have strong narratives heading into Saturday’s game. Marquette is fighting to solidify its position atop the Big East while addressing lingering weaknesses. Meanwhile, Xavier is looking to build on its recent momentum and prove its mettle against a top-10 opponent. With high stakes and evenly matched talent, fans can expect a thrilling contest.