The set-up: These teams are tied for third at 8-9 with five other schools. This is a big game, as the winner could potentially earn the No. 3 seed in the upcoming tournament. I don't think that the home court advantage can be overlooked as a very real deciding factor here. The Red Storm have zero momentum after losing three of their last four, most recently getting smoked 92-83 at DePaul Sunday. St. John's is 3-5 on the road in conference play, allowing 79 PPG. St. John's has lost seven straight in this series and it's just 1-4 at Xavier since the Big East reconfigured in 2013. Xavier is on the bubble as well and it'll be out to bounce back on Seniors Night after a 71-66 loss at Butler on Tuesday.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Xavier is 6-2 ATS in its last eight home game svs. a team with an above .500 road record, while St. John's is just 3-4 ATS in its last seven as a road underdog of six points or less or pick. Lay the short points.

9* play