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Posted at 2:15 PM EST.

6:30 PM EST. This is an interesting time of year for so many teams because the “playoff” format in the NCAA is unlike any other sport. Make no mistake that the goal for all 353 teams is to make it to the Dance. One win at the NCAA’s is more gratifying than a championship at the NIT’s. For Xavier, one of the most well-known mid-major’s in the country, its regular season is over and they will not receive an at-large bid. The Musketeers are just 15-13 overall (7-8 in the conference) thus, the only way for them to make it to this year’s Dance would be via a Conference Championship, therefore their final three games mean squat. Thing is, the Musketeers have won four in a row capped off by Sunday’s 12-point win over #17 Villanova. Combine Xavier’s current hot streak with their pedigree and market presence and we’re convinced that the points are going to look rather enticing. After all, St. John’s hasn’t been to the Dance since 2011 and have a fraction of the recent pedigree that the Musketeers have.

With a 20-8 overall record, the Johnnies are close to receiving an at-large bid. Should they win two of their final three games, the Committee would be hard-pressed to leave them out but trust us when we suggest that the NCAA Committee and every member would love to see the Johnnies participate. What many of you may or may not know is that St. John's is the 7th most winningest program in college basketball history. The basketball team is the most popular collegiate basketball program in New York City and has a world-wide following. Since everything is about money, the Johnnies getting in would attract a huge TV audience in one of the country’s biggest markets. One or two more wins and the Johnnies are likely in so their motivation tonight will be sky high while the Musketeers are in a letdown spot after beating Villanova on Sunday in a nationally televised game. We’re not suggesting for a second that the Johnnies are worthy of this price but when taking all of the above into consideration and the market appeal that the points will have in another “early start” game, our instincts tell us that the Johnnies are the prudent play.

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