The Red Storm have won seven straight, including an 86-84 OT regular season finale win over Marquette. The Golden Eagles have lost two of three, needing a 53-point second half to overcome Xavier in the quarterfinals. Marquette is a good team, but it's not great. St. John's certainly has the potential to be a great team by season's end, with its dominant defense (second nationally in defensive efficiency) and rebounding (sixth in offensive rebounding).

In what is essentially another home game for the Johnnies, I like Rick Pitino's team to cover the spread and pick up a hat trick of wins against the Golden Eagles this season.