Thursday’s Big East Predictions
The 2018 Big East Tournament continues on Thursday, March 8, 2018 with the quarterfinals. Here’s our predictions for the four games.
693 St. John’s -4.5 vs. 694 Xavier, Noon ET (FS1)
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, top-seeded Xavier is a 6.5-point favorite against St. John’s. Xavier won both meetings with St. John’s, but only beat the Red Storm by a combined 11 points over the two games. St. John’s picked up an 88-77 win over Georgetown yesterday and the Storm have covered in three straight. After a really poor season, St. John’s has managed to finally start finding its stride. While Xavier is the top seed, the Musketeers are just 1-3 against the spread in their last four. I think St. John’s manages to keep this game competitive once again. BIG EAST PREDICTIONS: 693 ST. JOHN’S +6.5
Bet on Big East for Thursday, March 8, 2018
695 Providence +4 vs. 696 Creighton, 2:30PM ET (FS1)
Oddsmakers have Creighton as a 4-point favorite in this battle of 4 and 5 seeds. Providence won the lone meeting this season, 85-71, back on Jan. 20 at home. Neither team comes in with much momentum, as both have lost three of their last five games heading into the tournament. I think defense will be the story in this game. Both teams have managed to shoot the ball pretty well on a neutral floor, but Creighton is allowing 77 points per game on a neutral site while Providence is giving up just 67 per game. I think the Friars are able to get more stops when they need them today and earn the cover. BIG EAST PREDICTIONS: 695 PROVIDENCE +4
Matchup Histories for Thursday, March 8, 2018
697 Marquette +10.5 vs. 698 Villanova, 7PM ET (FS1)
Oddsmakers are listing second-seeded Villanova as a 10.5-point favorite against Marquette. Nova won both meetings this season, but the Golden Eagles covered each time. The Wildcats haven’t defeated Marquette by 11 points yet. Marquette is coming off a close game with DePaul, but I think they will keep this game interesting tonight. Marquette has covered in four of its last six. Both failed covers were with DePaul, who seems to just be a matchup problem. I think the Eagles are a matchup problem for Nova and will cover the lofty spread. BIG EAST PREDICTIONS: 697 MARQUETTE +10.5
Who is the public betting on tonight?
699 Butler -1 vs. 700 Seton Hall, 9:30PM ET (FS1)
Oddsmakers have this as a near even pick, as Butler is giving up just 1 point to Seton Hall. The Bulldogs are the favorite as the 6 seed against No. 3 Seton Hall, but the Pirates have owned this series. Seton Hall has won and covered in three straight against Butler, including both meetings this season. The Pirates also come in hot, having won four of their last five, with the lone loss in OT against Villanova. Butler is just 2-8 against the spread away from home this season, so I will gladly take Seton Hall with a point. BIG EAST PREDICTIONS: 700 SETON HALL +1