Marquette vs Xavier Picks and Prediction – 3/13/2025

The Marquette Golden Eagles and Xavier Musketeers meet in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden. Marquette enters at 22-9 after a tough 86-84 overtime loss to St. John’s, marking its second straight defeat. Xavier, at 21-10, comes in on a seven-game winning streak, including a 76-68 win over Providence. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

Marquette has hit a rough patch at the worst time, losing three of its last five. The offense remains dangerous, led by Kam Jones, who averages 18.9 points while shooting 48.5% from the field. David Joplin contributes 5.4 rebounds per game, and Jones leads in assists with 6.1 per game. The Golden Eagles average 76.9 points and 14 assists per contest, but recent struggles suggest they need a strong performance to advance.

Defensively, Marquette allows 67.6 points per game, holding opponents to 44.6% shooting. The team’s defensive pressure forces 9.1 steals per game, with Stevie Mitchell leading at 2.3 steals per contest. Joplin provides some rim protection with 1.0 blocks per game, but rebounding remains an issue, averaging only 34.3 per game. The Golden Eagles must tighten up defensively to slow down Xavier’s efficient scoring.

Xavier is surging at the right time, winning seven straight while averaging 77.7 points per game. Zach Freemantle is the go-to scorer at 17.4 points per game on 52.5% shooting while leading in rebounds with 7.1 per contest. Dayvion McKnight runs the offense with 4.3 assists per game. The Musketeers also boast a 46.5% field goal percentage and 17 assists per game, making them a dangerous offensive team.

Defensively, Xavier gives up 70.3 points per game and allows opponents to shoot 46.5% from the field. While the defense isn’t dominant, it has been solid during the win streak. The Musketeers struggle in blocks at 2.7 per game but generate 7.9 steals per contest, led by Dailyn Swain. Rebounding will be crucial, and Xavier’s edge on the boards could be a factor.

Xavier has momentum with a seven-game win streak, while Marquette has struggled recently. The Musketeers’ offensive efficiency and rebounding advantage should be the difference. Marquette’s defense forces turnovers, but Xavier’s ability to control tempo and generate high-percentage shots gives them the edge. Final Score Prediction: Xavier Musketeers wins 74-69.