The NCAA Tournament’s opening round is about to commence, and it’s no secret that the Marquette Golden Eagles and the Vermont Catamounts will be squaring off in an intriguing matchup. Both sides have enjoyed successful seasons, and they will be looking to make a statement in the first round. Here, we take a closer look at this upcoming clash and make our prediction on who will come out on top.
The Golden Eagles have established themselves as one of the top teams in the country, boasting a 10-4 record and a 6-2 mark in Big East Conference play. Led by quarterback Daniel Smith, Marquette has been a consistent force on offense, averaging nearly 30 points per game. The Eagles also have a stout defense, allowing only 19.9 points per contest.
On the other side of the ball, the Catamounts have established themselves as one of the premier teams in the FCS. Led by quarterback Garrett Smith, the Catamounts have been a consistent force on offense, averaging 32.5 points per game. The Catamounts also have a solid defense, giving up just 18.7 points per contest.
It’s clear that both teams have plenty of talent, and it should be a close contest. The key for Marquette will be to contain Smith and limit his big plays. If they can do that, they should be able to control the game and come away with the win.
As for Vermont, they will need to take advantage of any mistakes made by Marquette and capitalize on them. If they can do that and keep Smith from having a big day, they should be able to keep it close and have a chance to pull off the upset.
Overall, this should be an exciting first-round matchup. While Marquette has the edge in terms of talent, Vermont will not be an easy out. In the end, we believe that the Golden Eagles will be too much for the Catamounts and come away with the victory.