I am riding with the team that has to win this game. St. John's tournament hopes have essentially come and gone, so the Red Storm need to win the conference tournament to make the Big Dance.
Another huge factor here is St John's is down one of their best players in Mustapha Heron (recently lost for the season). Heron scored 11 points in that first meeting, one of only three Red Storm in double-figures. He's their No. 2 scorer for the season and one of their best 3-point threats.


Xavier is sitting squarely on the bubble and cannot afford to lose on Monday night. The Musketeers have been dominant in their series with the Red Storm, winning each of the last 10 meetings. They are also 4-1 ATS in their last five games this season and are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five against St. John's. The Red Storm have struggled during conference play, covering in just two of their last six outings.

I like XAVIER here on Big Monday.