Providence Fiar vs Marquette Golden Eagles Picks and Predictions December 31st 2024

No. 8 Marquette Heads to Providence Looking to Stay Hot in Big East Play

The Marquette Golden Eagles are flying high, sitting at 11-2 and undefeated in Big East play. Now, they’re gearing up for a tough test against the Providence Friars on Tuesday. Both teams are coming off a holiday break, but their recent vibes couldn’t be more different.

Marquette’s Momentum Is Real

Marquette is on a roll, plain and simple. They edged out Xavier 72-70 right before the holiday, marking their second Big East win this season. Kam Jones, the team’s go-to scorer, dropped 20 points in that game, but Coach Shaka Smart isn’t handing out gold stars just yet.

“I’m hard on him,” Smart said. “Kam’s great, but he’s got more in him. He can be stronger with the ball and more efficient.”

Fair point, but Jones’ ability to hit big free throws and dish out eight assists shows just how important he is to this team. Let’s not forget David Joplin, who poured in 19 points, including 15 in the second half. Oh, and he hit a career milestone, passing 1,000 points.

Marquette hasn’t started 3-0 in Big East play since 2012-13, so there’s a little history on the line. But here’s the catch—they haven’t won at Providence in their last five trips.

Providence Wants Redemption

The Friars are still stinging from a gut-wrenching 72-70 loss to St. John’s, where they let a double-digit halftime lead slip away. Giving up 18 offensive rebounds and a 23-4 deficit in second-chance points? Yeah, that’s a recipe for disaster.

Providence was missing a key piece in Bryce Hopkins, who’s been nursing a knee injury. Without him, the Friars had to get creative with their lineup, leaning on guys like Miami transfer Bensley Joseph, who stepped up with 17 points and eight rebounds.

“Bryce is getting better every day,” English said. “We’re not rushing him back.”

The Friars are 6-1 at home this season, but their first Big East home game didn’t go as planned. This matchup with Marquette is a big chance to bounce back.

What to Watch For

For Marquette:

• Kam Jones’ Leadership: Can he play a cleaner, more efficient game while staying aggressive?
• Breaking the Rhode Island Curse: Five straight losses in Providence means they’ve got a mental hurdle to clear.
• Supporting Cast: Guys like Joplin and the bench need to step up to match Providence’s energy.

For Providence:

• Rebounding Like Their Lives Depend On It: Those 18 offensive boards they gave up last game? That can’t happen again.
• Hopkins Watch: If he’s back, even in limited minutes, his presence could make a huge difference.
• Defending the Dunk: Providence’s defense will need to be sharp to contain Marquette’s versatile offense.

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Why This Game Matters

This isn’t just another mid-season matchup. For Marquette, it’s about staying undefeated in Big East play and proving they’re a legit top-10 team. For Providence, it’s a shot at redemption and a chance to protect their home court against a powerhouse opponent.

It’s youth versus experience, hunger versus momentum, and it’s all going down Tuesday night.

Mark your calendars—this one’s gonna be good.