Marquette Golden Eagles Face Xavier Musketeers in Big East Quarterfinal Showdown

NEW YORK, NY – The No. 5 seed Marquette Golden Eagles (22-9, 13-7 Big East) are set to clash with the No. 4 seed Xavier Musketeers (21-10, 13-7 Big East) in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament on Thursday, March 13, at 2:30 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden.

Marquette enters the matchup as a 2.5-point favorite following a strong season. Both teams have shown resilience, finishing the regular season with impressive records and aiming for a spot in the semifinals.

The Golden Eagles averaged 76.9 points per game this season, backed by a solid field goal percentage of 44.6%. Marquette’s top scorer, who has been pivotal throughout the season, is expected to lead the offensive charge against Xavier’s defense.

“We’ve battled hard to get to this point,” said Marquette head coach Shaka Smart. “Our players are focused and ready to showcase the best of what we can do.”

Xavier comes into this game with a strong roster of their own, holding a slight edge in rebounding with an average of 35.5 rebounds per game. They have the experience needed for high-stakes tournament play.

“We understand the importance of this game and the opportunity ahead of us,” said Xavier Coach Sean Miller. “Marquette is a formidable opponent, and we’ll need to execute our game plan perfectly.”

The game’s over/under is set at 144.5 points, suggesting a balanced matchup on both sides of the court. The Golden Eagles and Musketeers have faced each other several times during the season, with their last encounter ending in a tightly contested finish.

Fans can expect an electrifying atmosphere at Madison Square Garden, as both schools rally support from their respective fan bases. The winner will advance to the semifinals, with aspirations of reaching the Big East Championship game.