St. John's vs Providence: Big East Tournament Showdown

0:00On March 12, St. John's takes on Providence in the second round of the Big E's tournament today at noon Eastern for Madison Square Garden in New York. The Red Storm enter as heavy favorites by 11 and a half points with the over under at 158 and a half. These teams split their regular season matchups with Providence grabbing a 77-71 upset at St. John's back on January 3rd. Then St. John's getting revenge 79-69 at Providence on Valentine's Day that second game got heated after a hard foul sparked a brawl and fans are buzzing for this rematch. St. John's wrapped up the regular season title for the second straight year under coach Rick Patino boasting the 21st ranked net rating. Providence sits at 83 but punched their ticket here with a 91-81 comeback win over Butler yesterday hitting 13 of. 22 from 3 in the second half. Emotions run high after that on court dust up and both sides have reasons to fire up. St. John's Big E's player of the year, Zubi Ejafor dropped 33 in their earlier loss but leads a deep front court.

1:06Providence counters with hot hands like Jalen Sellers averaging nearly 23 points over his last six games and Stefan Box who torched. Butler for 28 yesterday. Injuries could shake things up with St. John's Casper Poto out with a hip issue and Kelvin Odo questionable on the leg while Providence rules out. Four players including Rich Barron with a concussion. Still, expected starters like Bryce Hopkins and Dylan Mitchell for St. John's face. Jalen Sellers and Ryan Mella for the Friars. Model picks lean towards St. John's covering the spread and the game staying under the total setting up a tense battle where regular season champs aim to advance amid the rivalry heat.