Xavier vs. Marquette Prediction & Odds
Number fifteen Xavier and #6 Marquette face each other at 6:30 PM ET Saturday night on FOX for the Big East Tournament title. Can the Golden Eagles cover the 1.5-point spread as neutral-site favorites?
Xavier is 25-8 on the year with their best wins coming over UConn and Creighton. Their worst losses came against Depaul and Butler. The Musketeers are 18-14-1 against the spread this season.
Marquette is 27-6 this season with their best wins coming over Baylor and UConn. Their worst losses came against Mississippi State and Wisconsin. The Golden Eagles are 20-12-1 against the spread this year.
Game Matchup and Betting Odds
627 Xavier Musketeers (+1.5) vs. 628 Marquette Golden Eagles (-1.5); O/U 153.5
6:30 PM ET, Saturday, March 11, 2023
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Xavier vs. Marquette Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that the public favors the Musketeers in this contest. Our public betting data illustrates that 53% of public bets are on Xavier +1.5. Do note that these numbers are subject to change and could be different once tipoff rolls around, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Xavier Game Notes
Xavier big man Zach Freemantle has been out since the end of January with a foot injury and he’ll miss the rest of the season. Freemantle had been averaging 15.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game for the Musketeers this year.
One of the Musketeers’ most important players is junior guard Colby Jones. The 6’6” Birmingham, Alabama native is second on the team in scoring with 15.5 points per game, third in rebounding with 5.3 boards per game, second in assists with 4.3 dimes per game, and first in steals with 1.4 swipes per game. Jones had 14 points in Xavier’s win over Creighton on Friday night and they may need similar production from him if they’re going to win Saturday.
Marquette Game Notes
Marquette sophomore guard Tyler Kolek was recently named the Big East Player of the Year. His stats back it up. Kolek is second in the nation with 7.9 assists per game and he’s leading a Marquette offense that ranks in the top 15 nationally among 363 Division I schools in offensive efficiency. Kolek can also shoot (38.7% from deep), score (13.1 points per game), and defend (a team-high 1.8 steals per game). Tyler Kolek is the engine that makes Marquette go and if they win and cover Saturday night, it will likely be because of his performance.
Xavier vs. Marquette CBB Betting Trends
Xavier is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following an ATS win.
Marquette is 2-1-1 ATS in neutral site games this season.
Marquette is 5-3 ATS against ranked opponents this season.
Marquette is 16-10-1 ATS after a win this season.
Xavier vs. Marquette CBB Prediction:
Marquette has been dancing on the razor’s edge all season. The Golden Eagles have 8 wins this season by 6 points or less including both games they’ve already won in the Big East Tournament.
Both Xavier and Marquette rank in the top 15 in offensive efficiency, but they both rank outside the top 100 in defensive efficiency. This game figures to be a high-scoring affair and I think that slightly favors Marquette because they’re the deeper team. Marquette already won the Big East regular season title outright, and I think they double up and win the conference tournament as well.
CBB BETTING PREDICTION: MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES -1.5
