Villanova (12-8) at Marquette (16-3)
- When: Jan 24 2025, 7:00 PM
- Where: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Where to watch: Fox Sports 1
Marquette enters Friday night’s Big East showdown against Villanova as a 9.5-point favorite, with the total set at 142.5. The 10th-ranked Golden Eagles will aim to continue their dominance at home, where they’ve posted a stellar 10-1 record. Meanwhile, Villanova will look to shake off a heartbreaking 64-63 home loss to Georgetown earlier this week, where they let a nine-point lead slip away late.
Why Bet on Marquette?
Marquette (16-3, 7-1 Big East) rebounded from a tough two-point loss to Xavier with an emphatic 76-59 victory at Seton Hall. Their defense shined, forcing 24 turnovers, including an impressive 18 steals. Head coach Shaka Smart emphasized the team’s defensive focus, saying, “We’re trying to balance disruptiveness with sound basketball.” Marquette leads the nation in turnover margin (+6.9) and ranks fifth in steals per game (10.2).
Offensively, Kam Jones leads the way with 19.1 points per game, while David Joplin provides solid support with 14.9 points and 5.3 rebounds, along with a team-high 42 3-pointers. The Golden Eagles are not just winning games—they’ve also covered seven straight spreads against Villanova, showcasing their ability to dominate this matchup.
Why Bet on Villanova?
Villanova (12-8, 5-4 Big East) is coming off a tough stretch, having dropped three of its last four games. The Wildcats’ recent loss to Georgetown highlighted their struggles with turnovers, as they committed 16 turnovers that led to 16 points for the Hoyas. Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune noted, “We just didn’t get stops when we needed to.”
Despite their struggles, Villanova has a weapon in Eric Dixon, who leads the nation in scoring at 24.9 points per game while hitting a team-high 64 3-pointers. The Wildcats are also excellent at the charity stripe, shooting 79.9% from the line, ranking seventh nationally. If they can protect the ball and execute offensively, Villanova could make this game competitive.
The Betting Prediction
Marquette’s defense, especially at home, will likely cause problems for a Villanova squad that has been turnover-prone. The Wildcats’ reliance on Eric Dixon’s scoring may not be enough to keep pace with Marquette’s balanced attack, led by Kam Jones and David Joplin.
While Villanova ranks among the nation’s best in free-throw shooting, their 1-4 record in true road games and recent late-game struggles suggest they may not have the firepower to pull off the upset.
Prediction: Marquette covers the -9.5 spread with a final score around 76-64, hitting just under the total of 142.5. Villanova’s offensive inconsistencies and Marquette’s defensive disruptiveness should give the Golden Eagles the edge to cover at home.
- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
