The Marquette Golden Eagles take on the Xavier Musketeers in the Big East Tournament. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. ET on Peacock.
Marquette is favored by 2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -142. The total is set at 144.5 points.
Here are my Marquette vs. Xavier predictions and college basketball picks for March 13, 2025.
Marquette vs Xavier Prediction
My Pick: Marquette -1.5 (Play to -2.5)
My Marquette vs Xavier best bet is on the Golden Eagles spread, with the best odds currently available at BetMGM. For all of your college basketball bets, find the best lines using our live NCAAB odds page.
Marquette vs Xavier Odds
| Marquette Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -102 | 144.5 -105o / -115u | -142 |
| Xavier Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -118 | 144.5 -105o / -115u | +120 |
- Marquette vs Xavier spread: Marquette -2.5
- Marquette vs Xavier over/under: 144.5 points
- Marquette vs Xavier moneyline: Marquette -142, Xavier +120
- Marquette vs Xavier Best Bet: Marquette -1.5 (Play to -2.5)
Spread
I'm going with Marquette to cover the spread and defeat Xavier.
Moneyline
I don't have a pick for the moneyline.
Over/Under
I don't have a pick on the over/under.
My Pick: Marquette -1.5 (Play to -2.5)
Marquette vs Xavier College Basketball Betting Preview
No. 25 Marquette (22-9, 13-7) matches up with Xavier (21-10, 13-7) in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament. This should be another competitive contest between the teams, with higher stakes this time.
Marquette and Xavier split their two regular season matchups, each decided by just two points. Marquette edged Xavier 72-70 on Dec. 21, while Xavier beat Marquette 59-57 on Jan. 18.
Xavier is 2-1 all-time vs. Marquette in the Big East Tournament.
Marquette enters the conference tournament on a two-game slide after single-digit losses to UConn and St. John's.
Meanwhile, Xavier is riding a seven-game winning streak after defeating visiting Providence in its regular-season finale.
Marquette has to shoot much better at the free throw line to eliminate Xavier. Marquette went just 12-of-22 on free throws in its overtime loss to St. John's to close out the season.
Also, Marquette has to keep its composure when leading.
Marquette hung on in the first game vs. Xavier but had a 15-point lead cut to one down the stretch. Marquette had an eight-point lead vs. St. John's in the first half before the game became a back-and-forth affair.
Marquette will need to keep junior guard Ryan Conwell in check. Conwell has scored 20-plus points in his last four games while making four-plus 3-pointers in each.
However, Marquette can potentially contain Conwell because they're first in the Big East in 3-point percentage allowed (31.6%).
Xavier will place much of its defensive focus on Marquette senior guard Kam Jones. Jones erupted for 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists vs. St. John's. Jones has to have a similar output for Marquette to move on.
Marquette is 13-10-1 against the spread as a favorite of at least 2.5 points. Xavier is 4-3 this season against the spread when cast as a 2.5-point or more underdog.
Marquette will cover the spread and get the victory to advance in the Big East Tournament.
