Marquette Golden Eagles vs Villanova Wildcats Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 02/21/2025

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Friday, February 21, 2025

Venue:  Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA 

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Marquette -1.5, Villanova +1.5; Over/Under:  142.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Marquette -1.5, Villanova +1.5; Over/Under:  142.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Marquette -1.5, Villanova +1.5; Over/Under:  142.5 points

Marquette Golden Eagles:  20-6 (11-4) (2nd place, Big East)

Villanova Wildcats:  15-12 (8-8) (6th place, Big East)

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Marquette Golden Eagles:  2-3  last 5

Villanova Wildcats:  3-2  last 5

Marquette is entering this game with a 20-6 record overall, an 11-4 record in conference games, and they are 6-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Seton Hall Pirates in their last game. Kameron Jones led the team in points per game in that game with 14 while Chase Ross was next on the team with 11. Kameron Jones and Chase Ross each led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Ben Gold and Zaide Lowery each led the team in rebounds with 6. They were 53.6% from the field, 40.7% from 3-point range, and 69.2% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 77.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.1 PPG against them. Marquette has an ATS record of 12-13-1 this season and their O/U record is 10-14-2.

Villanova is entering this game with a 15-12 record overall, an 8-8 conference record, and they are 12-3 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the UConn Huskies in their last game. Wooga Poplar led the team in points in that game with 19 while Eric Dixon was next on the team with 17. Eric Dixon and Tyler Perkins each led the team in assists with 3 in that game while Tyler Perkins led the team in rebounds with 7. They were 35.2% from the field, 36.4% from 3-point range, and 81.3% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 74.3 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.9 PPG against them. Villanova has an ATS record of 14-13 this season and their O/U record is 16-10-1.

The current betting odds have Marquette listed as a 1.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Marquette has looked really good in their games this season with their 20-6 record overall and their 11-4 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big East. They have been a good road team this year too with their 6-4 road record. Meanwhile, Villanova hasn't looked great in their games this season with their 15-12 record overall and their 8-8 conference record which has them right in the middle of the Big East. They have looked good on their home court this year with their 12-3 home record, but they have been struggling a lot more against the better teams in their conference and that has their NCAA Tournament hopes in jeopardy. They are 3-2 in their last 5 games and they are coming off a loss to UConn in their last one in a game which they had a chance to win but let it go at the end. They managed to beat St John's at home in a tight game last week, but that is their only notable win in the Big East this season. Marquette hasn't looked any better lately as they are only 2-3 in their last 5 games, but all 3 of those losses were against top 4 teams in the Big East as they hit a bit of a slump and lost 3 games in a row during the hardest part of their schedule. Now they are coming off a big home win over Seton Hall in their last one and they have been building some momentum again with 2 wins in a row now. Marquette is starting to turn the corner again after their mini slump and they have a lot more talent than Villanova has, they should win this game easily now that they have been playing better. The best way to place a bet here is on Marquette to cover the spread in this game. 

Marquette Villanova Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Friday, February 21, 2025 (7:00 pm ET start time) is Marquette 81 Villanova 67.

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Marquette Golden Eagles: 11-6 ATS when the line is +3 to -3. 26-19 ATS off a win against a conference rival. 9-4 ATS when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%). 20-12 UNDER in road games. 29-19 UNDER when the total is 140 to 149.5. 24-16 UNDER off a home win.

Villanova Wildcats: 12-20 ATS versus poor foul drawing teams - attempting 18 free throws/game or less. 16-22 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 5-2 UNDER as a home underdog of 6 points or less or pick. 20-13 UNDER after playing a road game. 24-14 UNDER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%).

Marquette Golden Eagles:  A. Amadou (F) Out - Redshirt. S. Jones (G) Out - Redshirt.

Villanova Wildcats:  N. Njoku (F) Out - Knee. M. Thomas (F) Questionable - Knee. M. Hodge (F) Out - Eligibility.

“The time in between games was about us continuing to get connected with what we want out of the season, and then what’s going to be required to go get what we want. Part of being a mature, secure competitor at this level is being able to look hard things in the eye and still go after them.” - Shaka Smart after his team’s win against SHU in their last game. 

"Down the stretch they made plays. We weren't able to make them. A lot of credit goes to those guys for earning the win." - Kyle Neptune after his team’s loss against UConn in their last game. 

B. Gold 

K. Jones 

D. Joplin 

S. Mitchell 

C. Ross

E. Boakye 

J. Brickus 

E. Dixon 

J. Longino 

W. Poplar

PPG: K. Jones (19)

APG: K. Jones (5.8)

Reb/G: D. Joplin (5.3)

PPG: E. Dixon (22.9)

APG: J. Brickus (5.2)

Reb/G: W. Poplar (6.5)

Coaches:

Marquette Golden Eagles: Shaka Smart (4th season)

Villanova Wildcats: Kyle Neptune (3rd season)