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Winthrop Eagles Favored to Beat Queens Royals in Opener

11/3/2025

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Summary

Winthrop Hosts Royals

Winthrop Eagles will open the 2025-26 season by hosting the Queens Royals on November 3, 2025, at 8 a.m. ET in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Both teams finished last season with 20 wins.
Winthrop is favored by 5.5 points.
Queens is ranked 302nd in defensive efficiency by KenPom.
SportsLine's model projects an 86-78 Winthrop victory with a 65% win probability.

Summary

Marquette Basketball Hosts

Marquette University women's basketball will host Winthrop on November 3 at 11 a.m. CT, marking their first matchup.
Marquette returns all players from last season and aims for a ninth consecutive postseason trip after finishing fourth in the BIG EAST.
The Golden Eagles were picked second in the preseason poll, a jump from tenth last season.
Three players earned All-BIG EAST preseason honors, including Skylar Forbes and Lee Volker.

History

Historical Context

The NCAA basketball season opening in 2025 continues a tradition of competitive collegiate sports, building on the 1982 NCAA Championship when North Carolina triumphed over Georgetown. The tournament's expansion to 48 teams highlighted college basketball's rising popularity, while recent matchups, such as Winthrop versus Marquette, underscore the ongoing evolution of the sport, impacting recruitment and funding for participating schools.

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Winthrop Hosts Royals

Winthrop Eagles will open the 2025-26 season by hosting the Queens Royals on November 3, 2025, at 8 a.m. ET in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Both teams finished last season with 20 wins.
Winthrop is favored by 5.5 points.
Queens is ranked 302nd in defensive efficiency by KenPom.
SportsLine's model projects an 86-78 Winthrop victory with a 65% win probability.

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