The Xavier Musketeers will look to continue a hot streak that has seen them win seven straight games as they take on the Marquette Golden Eagles in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament.
While both teams are capable of winning this game, the Musketeers have been the better team down the stretch, and I’m taking them to win outright in my Marquette vs. Xavier predictions below.
Let’s take a closer look at this fascinating Big East matchup in my free college basketball picks for Thursday, March 13.
Who will win Marquette vs Xavier?
These teams split their regular season matchups, and both came down to the wire as 2-point contests. But Xavier comes in on a seven-game winning streak, while Marquette has lost two in a row entering today’s game. We also can’t underestimate the fact that the Musketeers will be hungry for a big win to improve their NCAA Tournament chances. I like Xavier to win this one.
Marquette vs Xavier prediction
My best bet: Xavier moneyline (+115 at bet365)
The Xavier Musketeers come into this game having won seven in a row, but they still haven’t secured an NCAA Tournament bid, while the Marquette Golden Eagles appear to be safely in the March Madness field. But while the Golden Eagles may have the stronger resume overall, the Musketeers look like the team to beat in this matchup.
It’s not just the winning streak that has me backing the Musketeers on Thursday. It’s also the quality of those wins, including a dominant 83-61 victory over the Creighton Bluejays on March 1. Xavier may not have the Quad 1 wins the committee loves — they are 1-8 in such games — but the Creighton victory coming so late in the season may offset that somewhat.
It’s also important to note how different this Xavier team looks with Zach Freemantle (17.4 ppg) in the lineup. The Musketeers are 20-8 when the senior forward plays, but were just 1-2 in the three games he missed — including the Dec. 21 loss to Marquette at home. A fully healthy Xavier team is a much tougher opponent, as it proved by beating the Golden Eagles in Marquette as a 10-point underdog.
Marquette is also struggling a bit down the stretch. That shouldn’t be overstated — a 2-point loss to the St. John’s Red Storm is a credible result, and the road loss to the Connecticut Huskies wasn’t embarrassing by any stretch — but the Golden Eagles have now lost five of their last nine overall. They have only covered in three of their last 10 games, a sign of a team that isn’t quite living up to expectations as of late.
With two relatively evenly-matched teams, I’m not afraid to look at recent form as a decider. And beyond that, the intangibles of a Xavier team knowing this win likely puts them in the NCAA Tournament field against a potentially complacent Marquette team also serves to push me in the direction of the Musketeers. I’m taking Xavier to win outright on Thursday afternoon.
Marquette vs Xavier same-game parlay (SGP)
Xavier moneyline
Under 144.5
Zach Freemantle Over 6.5 rebounds
Along with taking Xavier to win this one outright, I’m also interested in playing the Under in this game. These teams hit the Under in each of their meetings this season, with the last meeting — a 59-57 victory for Xavier — going more than 25 points below tonight’s total. This should be a tightly played game that stays Under the 144.5 total.
I’m also taking Zach Freemantle to hit the Over on his rebounding prop. The number is set at 6.5, which is already slightly low for the senior, who is averaging 7.1 rebounds per game this year. However, Freemantle has also gone for 7+ rebounds in five of his last seven games, and grabbed 10 boards when he faced off against the Golden Eagles on January 18.
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Marquette vs Xavier odds
Marquette vs Xavier live odds
Marquette vs Xavier opening odds
- Spread: Marquette -2.5 | Xavier +2.5
- Moneyline: Marquette -134 | Xavier +115
- Over/Under: Over 145.5 | Under 145.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Marquette vs Xavier betting trend to know
Xavier has won eight of its last nine games outright. Find more college basketball betting trends for Marquette vs. Xavier.
How to watch Marquette vs Xavier
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Thursday, 3-13-2025 |
| Tip-off | 2:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Peacock |
Marquette vs Xavier key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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