Marquette Golden Eagles vs Xavier Musketeers 12/18/2021 Picks Predictions Previews
The Marquette Golden Eagles of the Big East Conference will meet with the #22 Xavier Musketeers of the Big East Conference in NCAAB action in Cintas Center, Cincinnati, OH, on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at 4:00 PM (EST).
Shaka Smart, the Golden Eagles’ first-year head coach, wasted little time in instituting his defensive mentality. They are already in the top 100 in adjusted defensive performance and are on their way to the top 50.
They are limiting opponents to less than 70 points per game and generating turnovers on about 20% of their opponents’ possessions. The Golden Eagles are returning from a 67-56 home defeat to #4 UCLA. After trailing 35-21 at the half, UCLA was able to hold the Golden Eagles at arm’s length for the remainder of the game.
The Golden Eagles were excellent on defense, restricting the Bruins to 67 points on 36.4 percent shooting. The offense, on the other hand, labored throughout. They shot 33.3 percent on 19-57 attempts as a team.
Greg Elliot, a junior guard, scored a shocking 22 points off the bench, but their starters collaborated for just 28 points. They will need to improve their offensive performance against a Xavier club that will try to limit them to a season-low.
- The Marquette Golden Eagles are 2-4 ATS in their previous 6 games.
- Marquette is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 matches against Xavier.
- The Golden Eagles are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 matches in the Big East Conference.
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Marquette Golden Eagles vs Xavier Musketeers Predictions 12/18/2021
This Xavier squad is a pleasant surprise thus far this season. Most expected them to make a run at the top of the Big East, but no one expected the amount of defense that they did, save perhaps head coach Travis Steele.
Xavier is allowing slightly over 60 points per game and is 22nd in the country in opponents’ average field goal percentage at 37.54 percent. They are not just powerful defensively but also intelligent.
In terms of opponents’ free throw attempts per field goal attempt, they rank 12th in the USA. This squad closes out perfectly on defense the bulk of the time, contesting shots but without fouling.
Most recently, the Musketeers defeated Morehead State 86-63 at home. It was not their best performance, as they permitted Morehead State to score almost 41% from the field, but they maintained their effectiveness in limiting opponents from going to the foul line.
Morehead only made six free throws throughout the match out of 66 tries. Jack Nunge scored 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots. In the triumph, Jerome Hunter topped the club with 15 points.
- The University of Xavier Musketeers is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 matches.
- The total went OVER in 4 of Xavier’s last 5 matches against Marquette.
- Xavier is 1-4 SU in their last 5 matches in the Big East Conference.
Marquette Golden Eagles vs #22 Xavier Musketeers. The NCAAB pick for this game is the #22 Xavier Musketeers. I feel Xavier’s defense will be too strong for the Golden Eagles. Xavier will push Marquette to shoot shots from further out in their offense than they are accustomed to, resulting in a poor shooting % day.
Xavier will like the opportunity to run with the Golden Eagles, who want to get shots up fast and head in the transition of their defense. I believe Paul Scruggs, Xavier’s super senior, will have a strong game since he has the most Big East experience. The #22 Xavier Musketeers will win to a predicted score of 81-69.
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Marquette Golden Eagles vs Xavier Musketeers 12/18/2021 Picks Predictions Previews
NCAAB Starting Time: 4:00 PM (EDT)
Location: Cintas Center, Cincinnati, OH
Date: Saturday, December 18, 2021
TV: FS1
NCAAB Odds: #22 Xavier Musketeers -10.5
NCAAB Totals: 148.5