Marquette's Big East Opponents Revealed With Predictions

With five impact seniors leaving, the Friars will have a tough time against a Marquette team with better incoming players. 

With a comeback victory at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center last year, this year should should provide less fireworks as the Warriors roll. 

PREDICTION: WIN

 

Rutgers

On paper, this game looks like an easy win for the Golden Eagles, but sophomore guard Mike Rosario should make things quite interesting. Just 17.1 points per game leave the team and Rosario will have another year of experience under his belt. 

Still, the Scarlet Knights were 3-10 (0-9) on the road last year, with wins over lowly Princeton, Rider, and Deleware. Rutgers will be better next year, but not good enough. 

PREDICTION: WIN

 

Villanova

Coming off a Final Four appearance, Jay Wright’s squad loses a few players but brings in one of the nation’s best recruiting classes that includes power forward Mouphtaou Yarou and All-Americans Dominic Cheek and Maalik Wayns. 

The Golden Eagles got unlucky drawing a home-and-home against the Big East’s pre-season favorite as this looks to be a huge test for the young Golden Eagles team. 

PREDICTION: LOSS

 

South Florida

The Bulls will bring in four new faces next year to replace the loss of Jesus Verdejo among others, but one player who will return is guard Dominique Jones. South Florida upset Marquette last year and he was a big reason why, scoring 15 points and adding five rebounds and four assists. 

If this game was in Floridathis year they might have had the upper hand, but the Bradley Center will be rocking and Marquette will look for revenge in this one. 

PREDICTION: WIN

 

Away Games

Cincinnati

Should the Bearcats’ decision to roll the dice on troubled but talented Lance Stephenson work out, they might just be a bubble team this year. With returning veteran Deonta Vaughn and youngster Yancy Gates, the three will form a very solid trio for a team that historically has been tough to beat at home. 

PREDICTION: LOSS

 

Providence

As was stated earlier, the Friars put up an excellent battle last year before falling to the Golden Eagles 91-82 at home last year. This year, the Friars will look to rebuild just like the Golden Eagles but will be swept in their home-and-home games. 

PREDICTION: WIN

 

St. John’s

The Red Storm will have four new players in uniform next year when the Golden Eagles travel to Madison Square Garden. Anthony Mason Jr. is a big loss for the Red Storm, as he averaged 14 points per game last year as St. John’s most complete player. 

Always tough to beat in NYC, I expect Marquette to step up in what will probably be a very important game in the Big East standings. 

PREDICTION: WIN

 

Syracuse

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