@KeepTheJuice21 CBB Best Bets - 3/2

St Johns and Xavier are currently sitting tied in the Big East, Xavier looking likely to get an at large bid in March and St Johns much less likely. St Johns has now dropped two in a row to Creighton and DePaul and it seems like the season is in trouble. They will pick up the intensity come the conference tournament but this is an easy let down spot to drop a third in a row. Xavier will also have something to prove after losing to St Johns at home last week. St Johns has been alright at home but not worth the advantage they’re being given tonight.

Middle Tennessee is firmly in first place in the Conference USA. They’ve dominated the conference with a 13-3 record and earned a place as one of the best covering NCAA teams this year because of it. MTSU is coming off 8 straight wins including a 15 point win over Charlotte. They secured 34 rebounds to Charlottes 22, one of the best indicators that the crowd won’t impact. Even in an away match, Charlotte is outmanned and outsized and a 2 point victory is not a difficult ask. One other factor I love in covering close games: MTSU shoots 76% from the free throw line as a team and has two starters shooting over 87%. That’s a massive help in finishing out close games.