It has been 39 years since St. John’s was the No. 1 seed in the Big East Tournament. It has been a quarter century since the Red Storm reached the title game or won the event.
What’s the over/under on viewers who will learn just before tipoff (or now) that they need a Peacock subscription to watch the start of the school’s most anticipated run in decades?
Butler (+12.5) over St. John’s
The Red Storm should roll, but this line is just too high. It is understandable. Because it is a home game. Because of Rick Pitino. Because of Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis Jr. Because of the relentless defense. Because of the enthusiasm that produced the unthinkable visual of the Red Storm singing on “The Tonight Show.” But St. John’s isn’t a juggernaut — earning 12 of its 18 conference wins by 10 points or less — and both matchups with Butler were decided by single digits. The Bulldogs were held below 40 percent field goal shooting in each contest, but an offense that shoots better than 37 percent from 3 is a threat to hang around or bust through the back door.
Xavier (+2.5) over Marquette
Analytics are still fond of the Golden Eagles. Humans have actually watched them play recently. Marquette enters the Big East Tournament with three losses in its past five games, having dropped its past six games against top six teams in the conference. Meanwhile, Sean Miller’s Musketeers are on the cusp of an NCAA Tournament invitation, winning their past seven games. Xavier senior Zach Freemantle should take advantage against a weak frontcourt, averaging 24 points and 7.3 rebounds in his past three games.
Indiana (+2.5) over Oregon
The Ducks are due to drop one in the final minutes, compiling a seven-game win streak — following a five-game losing streak — that has featured two overtime wins and another two-point victory. Last week, the Ducks defeated the Hoosiers after trailing in the final two minutes, benefitting from 14 more free-throw attempts in the game at Oregon. The rematch comes in front of a red-clad crowd in Indianapolis, while morning commutes conclude out west. Without a win, Mike Woodson’s final season could end in the NIT.
Betting on College Basketball?
Byu (+2.5) over Iowa State
The Cougars have hit their stride under first-year head coach Kevin Young, winning eight straight games — including a double-overtime contest at Iowa State last week — on the strength of an offense which ranks fifth in the nation in effective field goal percentage. The Cougars should control the Cyclones on the glass again, while severely cutting down on the 29 turnovers in the previous matchup, especially after Iowa State starting guards Keshon Gilbert and Tamin Lipsey suffered injuries yesterday.
This season (entering Wednesday night): 1-0
2011-24 record: 378-340-12