HOW TO WATCH

Time: 6:30 PM ET

TV: FS1

Watch Online: Fox Sports Go

ODDS

(Via Action Network)

Spread: -3.5, Villanova

Moneyline: Villanova at -170 and St. John’s at +145

Another classic Big East matchup is in store Tuesday night, as the St. John’s Red Storm hosts No. 8 ranked Villanova Wildcats at Madison Square Garden. Despite the fact both teams are on opposite ends of the competitive spectrum, it doesn’t mean we can’t witness another down to the last minute, game between these two. Especially when considering their history and the madness that occurs inside MSG.

Tuesday represents the Red Storm’s biggest opportunity of improving their standing in the Big East. After getting off to an 11-2 start, which included defeating No. 16 Arizona last month, the Johnnies have played below .500 ball ever since. Head coach Mike Anderson continues to learn more about his rotation and what it takes to properly develop younger talent, as his senior duo of LJ Figueroa and Mustapha Heron discover what it means to be this team’s two best players.

On the flip side, all appears to be more than well for the Wildcats. Besides having a 6-1 record in conference play right now, this National Championship contender also pulled off a few noticeable wins in recent weeks. First, there was their win over No. 1 Kansas. Then came a string of wins over the likes of No. 13 Butler, UConn, and Georgetown. Even though head coach Jay Wright and his staff get a lot of credit for their preparation and leadership, I don’t believe people are realizing the kind of talent that exists for this year’s Wildcats.

Freshman Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has lived up to all preseason expectations, as he’s averaging a near double-double at 11 & 9. Sophomore Saddiq Bey is an underrated scorer via his 14 PPG average. And as expected with a team of theirs, the Wildcats have a couple of very productive upperclassmen in leading scorer Collin Gillespie (15 PPG) and Jermaine Samuels (11 PPG).

But with that said, you can never count out the Red Storm, especially when they’re playing at MSG. This is the same team that was literally seconds away from upsetting Myles Powell and No. 18 Seton Hall, two weeks ago. Alongside the duo of Figueroa and Heron, is a group of lower/upperclassmen who aren’t afraid of the big moment (Rasheem Dunn, Julian Champagnie, Marcellus Earlington, and Josh Roberts).