DePaul Blue Demons vs. South Florida Bulls (-6.5)
The betting market has been underestimating the Bulls (18-8 ATS) all season. They enter the Big East Tournament riding a three-game win streak, which includes a 63-59 victory at DePaul on March 2. South Florida overcame a five-point halftime deficit and dominated the backboards to pull out the game, which was close the entire way.
The Blue Demons went 1-17 in conference play and have lost 12 straight games, a streak that includes blowing a 20-point lead in a triple-overtime loss to St. John’s on Friday.
But, since firing coach Jerry Wainwright on Jan. 10, DePaul has gone 10-6 against the spread.
DePaul has been out-rebounded by a stunning eight rebounds per game in conference play. In comparison, Marquette, the second-worst rebounding team in Big East play, got out-rebound by just 3.9 per game.
Prediction: South Florida 67, DePaul 60
St. John’s Red Storm vs. UConn Huskies (-3.5)
How will UConn’s up-and-down season end? Picked to challenge for the Big East title, the Huskies, instead, suffered through a tumultuous year that included coach Jim Calhoun taking a medical leave.
UConn’s at-large hopes were shredded by Saturday’s loss to South Florida. Now, the Huskies must likely win the tournament or miss the Dance.
St. John’s is in the same boat. The difference is the Huskies have the talent to pull it off. The Red Storm don’t.
In the teams’ only meeting of the season, UConn pulled away from St. John’s in the second half and posted a 75-59 victory on Jan. 20.
Prediction: UConn 70, St. John’s 62
Providence Friars vs. Seton Hall Pirates (-5.5)
Providence shot just 34.6 percent in a 92-80 home loss to the Pirates on Saturday. It was the Friars’ 10th straight loss. They surrendered more than 90 points in five of those 10.
The smallish Pirates are comfortable playing the up-tempo game. They scored 134 points in a December win over VMI and averaged 75 points per game in Big East play.
In what’s expected to be another fast-paced game, point guard play will be key. Advantage Seton Hall: Sophomore Jordan Theodore led the Pirates with 21 points and a season-high eight assists. In his last four games, he’s shooting 50 percent from the field with a 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Seton Hall is clinging to hope for an NCAA bid, but the Pirates will need a Big East run, not just a win over Providence.
Prediction: Seton Hall 95, Providence 84
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (-7.5)
Cincinnati is not a great basketball team by any means. The Bearcats (16-14) shot a conference-low 62.5 percent from the free-throw line and a measly 29.6 percent from 3-point range against Big East competition.
Yet, the Bearcats are the clear-cut favourite over a Rutgers team that played its worst game of the conference season in Saturday’s 29-point loss at Pittsburgh.
“This was my worst nightmare come true, but you’ve got to let it go and move on,” coach Fred Hill told reporters. “Mentally, got to get ready for the Big East tournament and just throw this one out.”
In their only meeting of the season, the Bearcats overcame a five-point halftime deficit to win at Rutgers, 65-58, on Jan. 2. Cincinnati dominated the glass, outrebounding Rutgers by 12.
Prediction: Cincinnati 63, Rutgers 59