New Mexico Lobos vs. Marquette Golden Eagles Prediction, Betting Tips

New Mexico Lobos vs. Marquette Golden Eagles Prediction, Betting Tips

Posted on March 18, 2025 by in Basketball
New Mexico Lobos vs. Marquette Golden Eagles Prediction, Betting Tips
Spread the love

The NCAA Tournament is always an exciting time for college basketball fans, and the first-round matchup between the New Mexico Lobos and the Marquette Golden Eagles promises to be a thrilling contest. With both teams boasting impressive records and a host of talented players, this game is sure to attract plenty of attention from bettors and basketball enthusiasts alike. In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive analysis of the game, including predictions, betting tips, and key statistics to help you make informed decisions.

Game Overview

Date and Time: March 21, 2025, at 7:25 PM ET
Location: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
TV Coverage: TBS

The New Mexico Lobos (26-7) and the Marquette Golden Eagles (23-10) will face off in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Marquette enters the game as the No. 7 seed, while New Mexico is the No. 10 seed. The Golden Eagles are favored by 3.5 points, with the over/under set at 153.5 points.

Team Analysis

New Mexico Lobos

The Lobos have had a stellar season, finishing with a 26-7 record and winning the Mountain West regular-season title. They have notable victories over teams like VCU, UCLA, and USC, showcasing their ability to compete against high-level competition. New Mexico’s success has been driven by their strong defense and the outstanding play of Donovan Dent, the Mountain West Player of the Year.

Key Statistics:

  • Points Per Game (PPG): 80.0
  • Points Allowed Per Game (PAPG): 70.8
  • Field Goal Percentage (FG%): 45.5%
  • Three-Point Percentage (3P%): 34.0%
  • Free Throw Percentage (FT%): 69.7%
  • Rebounds Per Game (RPG): 38.4

Marquette Golden Eagles

Marquette has also had an impressive season, finishing with a 23-10 record. The Golden Eagles have been a consistent force in the Big East, although they have struggled in the latter part of the season, going 5-7 in their last 12 games. Marquette’s offense is led by Kam Jones, who has been a key player for the team throughout the season.

Key Statistics:

  • Points Per Game (PPG): 76.9
  • Points Allowed Per Game (PAPG): 68.5
  • Field Goal Percentage (FG%): 41.9%
  • Three-Point Percentage (3P%): 29.9%
  • Free Throw Percentage (FT%): 73.1%
  • Rebounds Per Game (RPG): 34.7

Betting Tips and Odds

Spread Betting

Marquette is favored by 3.5 points in this matchup. The Golden Eagles have a 14-18-1 record against the spread (ATS) this season, while the Lobos are 15-17-0 ATS. When playing as at least 3.5-point favorites, Marquette has an ATS record of 13-10-1, whereas New Mexico has covered the spread in one of their three games as 3.5-point underdogs.

Moneyline Betting

Marquette has won 81.5% of their games when favored on the moneyline this season (22-5), while New Mexico has a 50% win rate as underdogs (3-3). The Golden Eagles are 21-3 when playing as a moneyline favorite with odds of -175 or shorter.

Over/Under Betting

The over/under for this game is set at 153.5 points. Marquette’s games have hit the over 15 times this season, while New Mexico’s games have gone over 14 times. The combined scoring average of both teams is 158.1 points per game, which is 4.6 points higher than the set total.

Key Players to Watch

New Mexico Lobos

  • Donovan Dent: The Mountain West Player of the Year, Dent is a dynamic scorer and playmaker who will be crucial to New Mexico’s success in this game.
  • Nelly Junior Joseph: A dominant presence in the paint, Joseph averages a double-double and is a force on the offensive glass.

Marquette Golden Eagles

  • Kam Jones: The leading scorer for Marquette, Jones will need to have a big game for the Golden Eagles to advance.
  • David Joplin: A versatile forward who can score from inside and out, Joplin will be a key player for Marquette.

Prediction

This matchup is expected to be a closely contested game, with both teams having the potential to come out on top. Marquette’s recent struggles and New Mexico’s strong defensive play give the Lobos a slight edge in this game. However, Marquette’s experience and talent cannot be overlooked.

Prediction: New Mexico 75, Marquette 74.

Conclusion

The first-round matchup between the New Mexico Lobos and the Marquette Golden Eagles is shaping up to be an exciting game with plenty of betting opportunities. By analyzing the key statistics, betting trends, and player performances, you can make informed decisions when placing your bets. Whether you prefer spread betting, moneyline betting, or over/under betting, this game offers a variety of options to suit your betting style.

Remember to always gamble responsibly and enjoy the excitement of March Madness!

  • Tags :