Game Details:
- Date & Time: Friday, March 21, 2025, at 7:25 p.m. ET
- Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, Ohio
- Broadcast: TBS
- Betting Odds:
- Point Spread: Marquette -3.5
- Moneyline: Marquette -175 | New Mexico +145
- Over/Under: 153.5 points
Marquette Golden Eagles Overview (25-9, 14-6 Big East, No. 7 Seed)
Marquette enters the tournament as a No. 7 seed, known for their efficient offense and disciplined defensive sets. The Golden Eagles average 76.9 points per game while allowing 68.5 points per game. They lean heavily on their star guard Kam Jones, who leads the team in scoring.
Key Stats:
- Kam Jones: 19.3 PPG, 48.4% FG, 5.9 APG
- Assists per game: 13.8 (138th nationally)
- Rebounds per game: 34.2
While Marquette has offensive firepower, their interior could be a concern when facing teams that dominate the glass.
New Mexico Lobos Overview (26-9, 11-7 Mountain West, No. 10 Seed)
New Mexico is a dangerous 10-seed, fueled by their up-tempo offense and strong rebounding presence. They average 81.2 points per game (27th nationally) and allow 70.8 points per game. The Lobos excel on the boards, ranking 11th nationally in rebounding.
Key Stats:
- Donovan Dent: 20.6 PPG, 6.4 APG, 49.8% FG
- Nelly Junior Joseph: 14.0 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 55.3% FG
- Rebounds per game: 39.6
- Assists per game: 14.7
Their ability to control the paint and pace makes them a live underdog threat in this matchup.
Key Matchups:
Kam Jones vs. Donovan Dent:
Both teams’ offenses revolve around these dynamic guards. Whoever wins this duel likely tips the outcome in their team’s favor.
Rebounding Edge:
New Mexico’s +5.4 rebounding margin could expose Marquette’s interior and generate extra possessions.
Tempo & Efficiency:
Marquette needs to slow down New Mexico’s fast-paced attack while executing efficiently to stay in control.
Betting Angles & Trends:
- Against the Spread (ATS):
- Marquette: 15-18-0 ATS (45.5%)
- New Mexico: 15-17-0 ATS (46.9%)
- Over/Under Trends:
- Marquette: Over in 14 of 33 games (42.4%)
- New Mexico: Over in 16 of 33 games (48.5%)
With an O/U total set at 153.5 points, expect a fast-paced, high-scoring contest.
Expert Predictions & Picks:
🔥 Best Bet: New Mexico +3.5 (-110) – The Lobos’ athleticism, rebounding, and scoring versatility should keep this game close.
💰 Lean: Over 153.5 (-110) – Both teams play fast and efficiently, making the over appealing.
🎯 Prop Bet: Donovan Dent Over 21.5 Points – As the offensive leader, Dent will be aggressive from the jump.
Final Thoughts: Marquette Golden Eagles vs. New Mexico Lobos Preview
This matchup sets up as one of the more exciting games of the first round. Marquette’s efficient offense versus New Mexico’s rebounding edge and balanced scoring could create a wire-to-wire contest. The Lobos have the tools to pull off an upset if they dominate the boards and control the tempo.
Bettors should eye the spread and total, with value on New Mexico to cover and the game trending toward a shootout.
