ES 
NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Prediction 
Odds 
Last Recap 
Game Picks 
Top Handicapper 
Marquette vs. Villanova: Big East Battle Heats Up
No. 16 Marquette (20-6, 11-4 Big East) appears to have regained momentum after a rocky start to February. The Golden Eagles, fresh off two dominant wins, travel to face Villanova (15-12, 8-8 Big East) on Friday night, looking to extend their eight-game winning streak over the Wildcats.
For Villanova, it’s a must-win situation. With their NCAA Tournament hopes on the line, the Wildcats need to snap their recent two-game skid and prove they can compete against one of the Big East’s best.
Marquette Finding Its Groove Again
After three straight losses to UConn, St. John’s, and Creighton, Marquette has bounced back in a big way, securing double-digit victories over DePaul (86-73) and Seton Hall (80-56).
In their latest win against Seton Hall, the Golden Eagles showcased their balanced offense and suffocating defense:
- Shot 53.6% from the field and 40.7% from three
- Outrebounded Seton Hall 37-22
- Held the Pirates to 36.8% shooting
Guard Kam Jones (14 PPG) led the way, while Marquette’s bench contributed 36 points and 18 rebounds, showcasing the team’s depth.
“I thought the guys that came off the bench had a good spirit about them,” coach Shaka Smart said. “They had great energy and a willingness to make the next play.”
However, Marquette’s last two wins came against the bottom teams in the Big East, and Villanova will pose a tougher challenge.
“Obviously, the competition goes up for us on Friday,” Smart added.
Villanova Searching for Consistency After Blown Lead at UConn
Villanova earned its biggest win of the season last week, upsetting then-No. 9 St. John’s (73-71). But the Wildcats couldn’t maintain momentum, suffering back-to-back road losses at Providence (75-62) and UConn (78-70).
The UConn loss was particularly painful—Villanova blew a 14-point lead with under 12 minutes to play, as the Huskies closed the game on a 27-6 run.
“They came after us,” coach Kyle Neptune said. “They were physical. They pressed, which made it hard for us to get the ball where we wanted.”
Villanova’s offensive struggles have been a recurring issue:
- Eric Dixon (22.9 PPG), one of the top scorers in the country, has shot under 40% in five of his last six games.
- Against UConn, Dixon shot just 3-for-13, while Wooga Poplar (19 points) needed 21 shots to get there.
If Dixon and Poplar don’t step up, Villanova could be in trouble again.
Key Matchups to Watch
| Matchup | Key Players |
|---|---|
| Marquette’s Guard Play vs. Villanova’s Perimeter Defense | Kam Jones & Chase Ross vs. Wooga Poplar & Mark Armstrong |
| Villanova’s Eric Dixon vs. Marquette’s Frontcourt Defense | Dixon vs. Oso Ighodaro & Ben Gold |
| Battle of the Benches | Marquette’s depth vs. Villanova’s secondary scoring options |
Top College Basketball Insights !
Handicapping Membership
Can Villanova Finally Break Marquette’s Streak?
Marquette has dominated this matchup in recent years, winning eight straight against Villanova, including an 87-74 win in January. The Wildcats will need Dixon and Poplar to be more efficient and control the tempo to avoid another loss.
But Marquette’s defensive pressure and depth could be too much for Villanova to handle.
