It will be a battle between Big East opponents when the Xavier Musketeers (13-7, 2-5 Big East) welcome the Marquette Golden Eagles (14-6, 4-4 Big East) to the Cintas Center. The game is scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 29, 2020.
Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Xavier Musketeers ATS Prediction
The Golden Eagles are trying to rebound after their 89-85 loss to the No. 13 Butler Bulldogs in their last game. Butler was effective at getting and making free throws. The Bulldogs made 27 of their 31 free throws (87.1 percent), while the Golden Eagles were just 11-16 (68.8 percent). Marquette’s Koby McEwen put together a good game, contributing 13 points and 11 rebounds.
In the Musketeers’ previous game, they were beaten by the Creighton Bluejays, 77-66. Getting to the free throw line was one of Creighton’s largest advantages. They made 26 trips to the line, while Xavier went just 11 times. Xavier’s Tyrique Jones put up 11 points and 13 rebounds in the contest.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, Marquette figures to have a substantial edge. The Golden Eagles defense ranks 31st in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.449), while the Xavier offense is ranked 270th in effective field goal percentage (0.481).
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Markus Howard scored a game-high 35 points and the Golden Eagles defeated the Musketeers 85-65. The Golden Eagles’ 44.1 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over the Musketeers, who had a rate of 26.2.
Marquette Golden Eagles at Xavier Musketeers Betting Pick
Pick: ATS Winner – Xavier, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Marquette averages 40.3 rebounds per game, which ranks 20th in the country. Xavier ranks 175th in rebounds allowed per game (36.0).
The Golden Eagles rank 43rd in three pointers attempted per game (25.9) while the Musketeers rank 160th (21.5).
Marquette ranks 25th in blocks per game (4.9) while Xavier ranks 91st in blocks allowed per game (3.3).
The Musketeers average 14.6 assists per game, which ranks 66th in the country. The Golden Eagles rank 97th in assists allowed per game (12.1).
The Golden Eagles’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.0, down from 8.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Musketeers have scored an average of 66.6 points per game (4.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 75.8 points per game (8.7 above their season average).
