Marquette basketball season preview 2024-25: Biggest games, key players to watch, predictions and more

Marquette steps into the 2024-25 NCAA men's basketball tournament with a chip on its shoulder after making the Sweet 16 for the first time in 11 years.

Coached by Shaka Smart, the Golden Eagles have pushed the right buttons during the offseason by getting quality players that would help boost their almost intact lineup in a mission to oust back-to-back champion UConn out of its lofty perch in the Big East.

They are also looking to finally capture the program's second national championship, after winning their first title in 1977. With a formidable lineup, the 48-year title drought could finally be over this coming season.

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Marquette men's basketball 2024-25 season preview: Biggest games, key players to watch and more

Marquette's biggest games in the 2024-25 season

Marquette's readiness to compete with the best this season will be tested with a loaded schedule beginning with last year's runners-up Purdue.

The Golden Eagles will meet the Boilermakers on Nov. 19 at the Fiserv Forum as part of the home-and-home series between the two teams. The second part of the series will be played at the Mackey Arena during the 2025-26 season.

Two weeks after the Purdue game, Marquette will travel to Ames, Iowa to face Iowa State in the Big East/Big 12 Battle on December 4. The Cyclones made the Sweet 16 just like the Golden Eagles and are looking to exceed that this season.

They will conclude their non-conference game with an away game against Dayton on December 14. The Flyers made the second round of last year's men's basketball tournament.

The tough schedule at the start of the 2024-25 season prepares the Golden Eagles for the tough grind of the Big East regular season competition where they will meet the defending back-to-back champions UConn. The schedule of the much-awaited encounter will be announced in December, as per Marquette's website.

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Key Marquette players to watch out for in the 2024-25 season

Kam Jones led Marquette's offense last season, averaging 17.2 points per game. (Image Source: IMAGN)

Marquette looks to resume its ascent to the top of the NCAA men's basketball ladder by parading an almost intact lineup from last season with the addition of quality high school standouts and a Division III superstar who wants to stamp his class in Division I hoops.

Last season's leading scorer Kam Jones is back to finish some unfinished business and he got some quality backup to help him in the team's quest to win its first title in over four decades.

Two of last season's starters — David Joplin and Stevie Mitchell — are back plus key bench players — Ben Gold and Chase Ross.

Shaka Smart also strengthened Marquette's frontline by getting seven-foot-one center Joshua Clark, six-foot-nine slotman Caedin Hamilton and six-foot-eight power forward Royce Parham from the high school ranks.

However, their key addition is Division III star Jack Anderson, who torched the hoops when he was with Keystone College. Anderson shot 40.8% from the 3-point line and averaged 19.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 76 appearances with the Pennsylvania-based college basketball program. He sizzled for 49 points in a game during the 2022-23 season.

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Marquette predictions for the 2024-25 season

Marquette will contend for the Big East title as they collide with UConn in the regular season and the conference tournament. A 25-win season is a humble estimate, considering the talent the Golden Eagles have at their disposal.

They will make the NCAA Tournament and break the spell of not getting into the Elite Eight this year. Expect Marquette to barge into the Final Four at the very least with their most talented lineup ever assembled in years.