GAME: #825 Xavier vs #826 Marquette
TIME: 1/15/2020 – 8:00p EST
SPREAD: Marquette -3.5
TOTAL: 145
SPORTSBOOK: 5Dimes Sportsbook
The Xavier Musketeers (12-5, 1-3) head out for a Big East road game against Marquette Golden Eagles (11-5, 1-3) at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Wednesday at 8 p.m. EST. In their previous games, Xavier fell short in a 77-65 game at home to Creighton while Marquette lost 69-55 at Seton Hall on Saturday. These teams met twice last year with Marquette winning both games by scores of 70-52 at home and 82-87 on the road.
XAVIER MUSKETEERS
The Xavier Musketeers are averaging 72 points per game on 43% field goal shooting. Xavier has added 10 offensive rebounds per game however they’re turning the ball over 14 times on the offensive end. Musketeers are allowing 66 points on 39% field goal shooting while forcing 14.4 turnovers and adding 6.6 steals and three blocks per game on the defensive end. Xavier is led by Naji Marshall with 16.8 points 5.8 rebounds 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game along with Paul Scruggs with 14.9 points per game 2.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game.
MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES
The Marquette Golden Eagles are averaging 76 points per game on 42% field goal shooting while also shooting 40% from three-point land averaging 9.9 3-pointers per game, which is the best in the Big East. Marquette is allowing 68 points per game on 39% field goal shooting while forcing 12.4 turnovers and adding 6.8 steals and 3.4 blocks per game. The Golden Eagles are led by Markus Howard with 26.8 points 3.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game along with Sacar Anim who is adding 12 points 3.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
XAVIER vs MARQUETTE PREDICTION
Both of these teams are not nearly as good as they were last year but both still possess their star talents in Scruggs for Xavier and Howard for Marquette. This will be a battle between these 2 guards and on the Marquette home court, is where Marcus Howard will win this one. Look for Howard to take over this game in one of his 30-40 point shooting performances to beat this struggling Xavier team that has lost 2 in a row and on their way to their third. This line should also come down to 2.5 or 3 as it gets closer to game time if you like Marquette here.
TRENDS(from covers.com)
XAVIER
- Musketeers are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
- Under is 5-1 in Musketeers last 6 overall.
MARQUETTE
- Over is 4-1 in Golden Eagles last 5 home games.
- The Golden Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
- Favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
BETTING ANGLES:
Bookie Analysis: Marquette -3.5 / Over 145
Fade the Public: Xavier +3.5 / no data
Sharp Action: Xavier +3.5 / no data
Xavier vs Marquette Prediction & Analysis – College Basketball