When Marquette and St. John’s clash on the court, it’s always a Big East battle worth watching. This preview takes a look at their March 8, 2025, matchup. With both teams hungry for a win, this game promises to be a nail-biter.
This article will break down each team’s strengths and weaknesses and explore the key factors that could decide the game. We’ll dive into team stats, highlight the players to watch, and offer some tactical insights to help you understand what to expect when St John’s and Marquette face off.
Team Overviews and Season Performance
Let’s take a look at how each team has performed so far this season.
Marquette Golden Eagles
- Record and conference standing: 22-8 overall, 13-6 in the Big East.
- KenPom.com ranking: #26.
- The Golden Eagles are known for their offensive efficiency and smart play. They don’t often beat themselves.
St. John’s Red Storm
- Record and conference standing: 26-4 overall, 17-2 in the Big East.
- KenPom.com ranking: #17.
- The Red Storm excel at rebounding and running a fast-paced offense that can overwhelm opponents.
Key Players and Statistical Analysis
Let’s take a look at the players who are most likely to make an impact on the game, and what stats they’re bringing to the court.
Marquette’s Key Contributors
- Kam Jones: This player leads the team in points per game (18.5 ppg) and assists per game (6.0 apg).
- David Joplin: Joplin is the team leader in rebounds, averaging 5.3 rpg.
- Other important players: (Add names and brief descriptions of their roles here.)
St. John’s Impactful Players
- RJ Luis: Luis is the scoring leader for St. John’s, averaging 17.8 ppg.
- Zuby Ejiofor: Ejiofor is the team’s top rebounder, averaging 8.0 rpg. He recently scored 33 points in a single game.
- Kadary Richmond: Richmond dishes out the most assists for St. John’s, with 5.1 apg.
- Other important players: (Add names and brief descriptions of their roles here.)
Head-to-Head Matchup and Tactical Breakdown
These two teams have already faced off once this season, with St. John’s prevailing 70-64. Let’s take a look at what happened in that game and what each team needs to do to win the rematch.
Previous Game Analysis
In their previous contest, St. John’s managed to pull out a victory, but what were the key factors that led to that outcome? Did one team dominate the boards? Did a particular player have a standout performance? Understanding these details is crucial for predicting the upcoming game.
Tactical Considerations
St. John’s is one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the country (top 10!), and they shoot 51% from two-point range. However, their three-point shooting is only 30%.
Marquette will need to limit St. John’s’ second-chance opportunities and win the battle for loose balls. It’s also worth noting that St. John’s has an offensive turnover rate of #77 (KenPom), so Marquette may be able to capitalize on some mistakes.
Game Prediction and Potential Outcomes
Right now, the numbers suggest Marquette has a 57% chance of winning, with a projected final score of 71-69. But, of course, a lot can change that. Individual player performances can swing the game. A good or bad call from the coach can change everything, and even things like the energy in the arena can have an impact.
For example, if Marquette’s offense is on fire, they’ll likely pull ahead. But if St. John’s controls the rebounds, they’ll have a major advantage.
In Summary
In this St. John’s vs. Marquette preview, we looked at key players, team strengths, and potential weaknesses. Rebounding and limiting turnovers will be critical for both teams to gain an edge.
This matchup promises to be exciting, and the outcome could hinge on which team executes its game plan most effectively.