A huge weekend of hoops for the Big East all leading up to a grudge match between St. John’s and Creighton. Here are our predictions for the “under cards.” We started off our predictions each going 3 and 1 on Monday and Tuesday. Let’s see where we go from here!
Records: Zurg 3-1, Buzz 3-1
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7:
Seton Hall at Villanova, 7pm Fox Sports 1
Zurg: Seton Hall is starting to turn heads in the conference – and has 6 days to prepare for this one after winning at Xavier. Nova is on a mission, though, and will not overlook the Pirates. The nation’s 8th best offense gets it done at home. Villanova 85, Seton Hall 69
Buzz: I want to pick Seton Hall in this game, I do. But Villanova hasn’t lost at the Pavilion since February 3rd of last year, and the Pirates aren’t the team to stop that streak. Villanova. Big. Villanova 90, Seton Hall 65
DePaul at Creighton, 9pm Fox Sports 1
Zurg: DePaul has the worst defense and 3rd worst offense in the Big East. Creighton ranks first in both offense and defense in its first year in the conference. The Bluejays also have not lost at home since February 9th of last year. Creighton 88, DePaul 62
Buzz: Creighton may be overlooking DePaul for the rematch with St. John’s at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. Still though, DePaul fooled me with the Georgetown game and I’m not going to let it happen again. The Blue Demons cover the spread, but McDermott gets it done. Creighton 74, DePaul 62
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8:
Butler at Georgetown, 1pm CBS
Zurg: Georgetown gets the Big East’s two worst rated offenses back-to-back this week. Coming off an impressive win at MSG over Michigan State, it might be time the Hoyas get something rolling. Georgetown 68, Butler 60
Buzz: Butler beat themselves against Marquette, and Brandon Miller won’t let that happen again. Still though, Georgetown knows they have to keep winning to impress the selection committee. Georgetown survives. Georgetown 62, Butler 61.
Providence at Xavier, 3pm Fox Sports 1
Zurg: An interesting game for Big East NCAA Tournament bid expectations. Providence beat Xavier at the Dunkin Donuts Center. Xavier will return the favor on its home floor. Xavier 74, Providence 65
Buzz: About a week ago both of these teams were sitting pretty for NCAA bids. Now Providence has lost 2 of 3, and Xavier has lost 3 in a row. Both need this game to right the ship and the loser will be putting some serious pressure on themselves. I think Ed Cooley and Bryce Cotton manage to steal this one and cement their place in people’s brackets. Providence 58, Xavier 56
Big East and Beyond 