Villanova (-4 1/2) over St. John’s: Remember the Red Storm’s overtime loss to Marquette on Saturday? Don’t. It was a mirage. The Johnnies are the team that has lost four straight games and hasn’t figured out how to score in the half-court without D’Angelo Harrison. Meanwhile, the Wildcats could be a real sleeper in the Big East Tournament. Coming off a win over Georgetown, Villanova knows it can beat anyone.
Lafayette (+11) over Bucknell: Look at that line again. Vegas is begging you to take the Leopards. So, do it. Yes, the Bisons are undeniably the best team in the Patriot League, get to play for the league title at home and have one of the game’s most dominant big men, senior Mike Muscala, but they’re going to have to sweat a little bit before going to the dance. The teams split the season series, erasing any intimidation, and Lafayette enters on a seven-game winning streak. The Leopards’ arsenal of outside shooters will keep this game from getting out of hand.
Florida State (-2) Clemson: The Seminoles, the defending ACC champions, aren’t going back-to-back, but handling the 11th-seeded Tigers shouldn’t be much of an issue following wins over two potential NCAA teams — N.C. State and Virginia. Florida State won both meetings this season and alleviate any late-game concerns with the conference’s highest free-throw percentage.
2011-12 Record: 48-26-1
This season: 1-1
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