Marquette Golden Eagles vs Xavier Musketeers Pick – 3/13/2025

The Marquette Golden Eagles and the Xavier Musketeers are set to face off in the Big East Tournament on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. ET. This quarterfinal matchup at Madison Square Garden promises to be a compelling contest between two closely matched teams.

Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Xavier Musketeers Game Preview

Marquette enters the tournament as the No. 5 seed with a 22-9 overall record and a 13-7 mark in Big East play. The Golden Eagles have demonstrated a balanced approach, averaging 76.9 points per game while allowing 67.6 points defensively. Key contributors include Kam Jones, who leads the team with 18.9 points and 6.0 assists per game, and David Joplin, adding 13.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest.

Xavier, the No. 4 seed, holds a 21-10 overall record, also finishing 13-7 in conference play. The Musketeers have been slightly more prolific offensively, averaging 77.7 points per game, but have a higher defensive concession at 70.3 points per game. Zach Freemantle is a standout performer, contributing 17.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, while Ryan Conwell adds 16.2 points and 2.5 assists per game.

The season series between these teams has been tightly contested. Marquette secured a narrow 72-70 victory on December 21, 2024, while Xavier edged out a 59-57 win on January 18, 2025. Both games were decided by slim margins, highlighting the competitive nature of this rivalry.

Betting Insights

As of March 11, 2025, the betting lines for this matchup are as follows:

• Point Spread: Marquette favored by 2.5 points
• Over/Under: 144.5 points
• Moneyline: Marquette -162, Xavier +136

These odds suggest a closely contested game, with Marquette slightly favored. The over/under indicates expectations of a moderately high-scoring affair.

Key betting trends to consider:

• Marquette has a 14-16-1 record against the spread (ATS) this season.
• Xavier has a 17-14 ATS record.
• Marquette is 13-10-1 ATS when favored by at least 2.5 points.
• Xavier is 4-3 ATS when playing as at least 2.5-point underdogs.

Additionally, the total has gone over 144.5 points in 16 of Marquette's games and 15 of Xavier's games this season, indicating a tendency for higher-scoring outcomes.

Marquette Golden Eagles vs. Xavier Musketeers Prediction

Considering the season series and statistical profiles, this game is poised to be another closely contested battle. Marquette's slight edge in defensive efficiency and their ability to limit turnovers (9.17 per game, ranked 7th nationally) could be pivotal. However, Xavier's offensive firepower, led by Freemantle and Conwell, presents a significant challenge.

Given the narrow margins in previous encounters and the balanced nature of both teams, this game could go either way. Bettors might find value in considering the underdog, especially with the spread at 2.5 points. The over/under at 144.5 points also appears attainable, given both teams' scoring capabilities.

Final Prediction: Marquette 74, Xavier 72

This projection suggests a Marquette victory, but the slim margin underscores the potential for an upset. Bettors should weigh the recent form and injury reports leading up to the game before making their decisions.