Marquette at Xavier 1/26/19 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

Marquette has climbed steadily in the polls while putting together a 17-3 record thus far. The Golden Eagles have won six straight, and that streak started with an 18-point win at home over Xavier. Marquette plays at Xavier Saturday. The Golden Eagles are 3-1 against ranked teams, and the one loss was to Kansas by nine. Marquette has had close calls though, three of the wins in the current streak were by four or fewer points. Xavier is 11-9 and is 2-2 since losing to Marquette earlier. Xavier is 0-3 against ranked teams. Two of the Musketeers last three games have been by one or two points.

A big part of Marquette's success is Markus Howard and the three-pointer. Howard is fifth in the nation in scoring at 24.3 points per game. He has made 72 three-pointers and is shooting 43 percent. He is hitting 42 percent on two-point shots. Sam Hauser is averaging 15.2 and has made 51 threes. The team has made 186 and is shooting 38 percent from that range. Xavier has five players in double figures, and the team has 132 three-pointers. The Musketeers are shooting 32 percent from long range. Naji Marshall is averaging 13.1 points and 7.3 rebounds. Paul Scruggs is averaging 13 points. Quentin Goodin is averaging 12 and two more are at 10 each. Ryan Welage has 39 threes and is averaging eight points.

The Golden Eagles are averaging 79.3 points and giving up 68.9. Xavier is averaging 73.3 and giving up 71.2.