Marquette Golden Eagles vs Xavier Musketeers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/21/24
Betting on today’s Golden Eagles and Musketeers game? Catch the action at Cintas Center in Cincinnati, OH, as the Musketeers hosts this showdown at 12:00 ET on FOX. Marquette is favored by -5.5 in this Big East conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 153.5 points.
MARQUETTE GOLDEN EAGLES VS XAVIER MUSKETEERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Xavier Musketeers +5.5
This game will be played at Cintas Center at 12:00 ET on Saturday, December 21st.
WHY BET THE XAVIER MUSKETEERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-69 in favor of the Musketeers.
- Not only will Xavier pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +5.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 153.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 145 points.
Taking a Look at the Golden Eagles Chances in Cincinnati
Marquette Golden Eagles Recent Game/Games
Marquette improved to 10-2 on the season with an 80-70 home win over Butler on Wednesday, December 18th. Despite being -14 favorites, the Golden Eagles didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game ended at 150, just over the 148.5 O/U line.
After trailing 35-32 at halftime, Marquette turned things around in the 2nd half, scoring 48 points while holding Butler to 35.
Marquette’s offense put up 80 points in their last game, shooting 42.7% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 46.7%, with a strong 57.8% shooting inside the arc. However, they struggled from three-point range, hitting just 6 of 30 attempts for 20%.
Kam Jones led the way with 23 points, though he shot just 1 of 7 from deep. Jahmyl Telfort and Kolby King each added 16 points, with Telfort grabbing 10 rebounds. Stevie Mitchell was perfect from the field, going 6 for 6, and Marquette grabbed 20 offensive rebounds as a team.
Marquette’s defense gave up 70 points, allowing their opponent to shoot 42% from the field on 32 of 75 attempts. Inside the arc, they struggled, with the opponent hitting 57% of their two-point shots, going 26/45.
From three-point range, Marquette held their opponent to just 6/30 shooting, a 20% success rate. They also sent the opponent to the free-throw line 12 times, where they converted 10, shooting 83%. Marquette allowed 20 offensive rebounds.
Do the Musketeers Stand a Chance at Home?
Xavier Musketeers Recent Game/Games
The Musketeers dropped to 8-4 on the season after a 94-89 loss to UConn on Wednesday. Xavier, who entered the game as +13.5 point underdogs, kept it closer than expected.
After leading 30-29 at halftime, Xavier scored 48 points in the 2nd half but allowed 49. The game’s total points of 183 went well over the pre-game O/U line of 146.5.
Xavier’s offense put up 89 points in their last game, shooting 50% from the field and 54.2% from three-point range, hitting 13 of 24 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 62.1%, and they connected on 85.7% of their free throws, going 18 for 21 from the line.
Ryan Conwell led the way with 23 points, shooting 69.2% overall and 60% from deep. Solo Ball and Dante Maddox Jr. each contributed 22 points, with Maddox hitting 5 threes at a 55.6% clip. Hassan Diarra dished out 11 assists, while Tarris Reed Jr. grabbed 13 rebounds and added 20 points.
Despite Xavier’s defensive struggles, allowing 94 points on 47% shooting, the Musketeers couldn’t slow down their opponent’s two-point attack, which hit 55% of its shots (25/45).
Xavier also sent the other team to the free-throw line 21 times, where they converted 95% of their attempts. The Musketeers gave up 14 offensive rebounds in the game.