On January 3, 2025, the Marquette Golden Eagles are set to face off against the Creighton Bluejays at Fiserv Forum, marking the teams' first Big East match of the year. The Golden Eagles, holding an impressive 12-2 record and currently standing at 3-0 within the Conference, are eager to secure their fourth consecutive victory. They last achieved this feat back during the 2012-13 season.
Marquette has not lost at home, boasting an unbeaten record of 8-0 on their own court this season. Their dominance at Fiserv Forum is evident from their ability to crush opponents by considerable margins. Last year, their losses at home came only against top-tier teams, including Creighton and UConn. Meanwhile, the Bluejays enter the contest with a 9-5 record and 2-1 standing within the Big East, hoping to pull off a surprise on the road.
The two teams are coming off recent victories, with Marquette demolishing Providence 78-50 and Creighton narrowly securing a 57-56 win against St. John's. Marquette has displayed offensive mastery, averaging 80.5 points per game, showcasing talents like Kam Jones, who is averaging 20.1 points and 6.6 assists, and Stevie Mitchell contributing significantly on both ends of the court.
Creighton's roster has faced challenges this year, particularly due to the loss of dynamic guard Pop Isaacs to injury. Despite this setback, the team has shown resilience. Star center Ryan Kalkbrenner remains the focal point of Creighton's strategy, contributing 17.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. He has established himself as one of the Conference's premier players and will be pivotal if Creighton hopes to compete effectively against Marquette.
"Kalkbrenner’s supremacy is reflected in Creighton’s dominance at the rim on both ends of the floor," remarked analysts about his impact on the game. Marquette will aim to exploit Creighton’s vulnerabilities on the perimeter, pressuring the ball handlers and attempting to limit Kalkbrenner's scoring opportunities.
Betting lines are currently favoring Marquette by just under ten points, with predictions focusing on their current form and home-court advantage. "The match-up tilts to Marquette, and it's going to be fascinating to see how they deal with Creighton’s resilience," noted analysts prior to the game.
Fans can expect to see intense action, particularly as Marquette thrives on creating turnovers and scoring off those opportunities. The Golden Eagles rank third nationally for their steal rate, which has been key to their transition game. Their backcourt strength, featuring Mitchell and Jones, has proven effective against opponents this season.
The halftime report reflects Marquette’s 39-35 lead, demonstrating the competitive back-and-forth nature of the match. With only one half remaining, the stakes are higher than ever: will Marquette continue their winning streak and solidify their position, or will Creighton rally for redemption?
All eyes are set on the hardwood at Fiserv Forum as the game progresses, leading up to its pivotal conclusion. Tune in at 9 p.m. ET on FS1 to catch all the action.