Tuesday didn’t go so well (thanks, North Carolina), but we’ll get right back in that saddle and try again. Because really, what else can anyone do?
In the Big East, there’s a teaser you might want to look at. Seton Hall is giving 5.5 points at home to Creighton. And while I like Creighton, it did get beat up pretty good in its last trip east, at Providence. I don’t expect a blowout, but the Hall is starting to look like a Final Four type team. Just saying. So I’ll move the Pirates down to just having to win. And I’ll pair them with Butler, which is also laying 5.5, to do the same against visiting Xavier. X has been playing better lately, after being a disappointment, but Butler is the better team and should be able to at least get the W in Indianapolis.
Along those lines, you could also move Villanova to a win situation at the Pavilion against Marquette. The Wildcats have lost three straight, and are probably overdue to get a W. But they did lose at Marquette last month, and the visitors have won six of their last seven and are coming off a big home win over Butler. So as much as I would lean toward the Cats once again, I might also tread carefully. Just because.
Not sure why, but I think I like Temple laying 3 at Tulane. Owls are coming off a big comeback win at home, but they’re been mostly hard to like this season. And they did lose big to Tulane at home a month ago. But Tulane has lost seven in a row, so that might make actually make this a good spot for the visitors. But I’m not in love with it. More or less a feeling. And hopefully not a homer one. Just trying to be honest.
If you want to try a Big Ten teaser, you could move Ohio State to a just-win at home against Rutgers, which is three games ahead in the standings. But the Knights have one road win, and OSU is 11-2 in Columbus. Then there’s Michigan giving 6 at Northwestern. I’m a little concerned since it’s a road game, and I’d rather tease teams down to win at home. And the Wolves are only 1-5 on the road. So go light. But Northwestern has one conference win for a reason. And that’s all we’re asking for. Still, it might not be easy. Don’t say you weren’t warned. So by all means be careful out there.