Big East basketball features an interesting contrast. Villanova gets the most favorable Sportsbook reviews but Xavier got the title. Despite the hype it was the Xavier Musketeers taking the regular season conference championship. Both teams will be the heavy favorites in this week’s Big East Tournament. For fans of offensive basketball, the Big Two of the Big East deliver the goods. Most important of all Villanova and Xavier bring top shelf betting value. Few teams were more profitable this season. But can that board value be maintained in a top-heavy tourney?
2018 Big East Tournament
Date and Time: Wednesday, March 7 through Saturday, March 10, 2018
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
NCAA Basketball Odds: (Click Here to See the Lines)
2018 Big East Tournament TV Coverage: FS1 and FOX
The Big East Tournament has always gotten top sportsbook reviews. Despite a vastly different lineup of teams from its founding the conference still commands respect. Action opens on Wednesday with the bottom four teams matching up. Thursday will be action packed with the remaining eight teams on the card. Final Four Big East action takes place Friday night. FOX will broadcast the championship game Saturday night.
Villanova is already getting plenty of action at MyBookie Sportsbook. No other team in the Big East matches their big-time marquee presence. Just two years removed from a national championship Nova is the top scoring team in the country. Junior guard Jalen Brunson led the Wildcats with 19 points and five assists per game. Brunson emerged last year with First Team All-Big East honors. Gamblers loved Nova’s mark of 20 payouts in 31 lined games this season. Board value consistency is a Villanova hallmark. Hence the six covers in their last ten games.
Without the hype of Villanova, the Xavier Musketeers brought equal betting value. They also got the money in 20 of 31 lined games this season. Offensively the Musketeers ranked 11th best in the nation. However, on defense Xavier ranked an alarming 243rd in the country. Trevon Bluiett is the senior guard that quarterbacks the team. Most noteworthy was his team best 19.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
For those looking for a live dog that could spring the upset Creighton comes to mind. The Bluejays scored an 89-83 overtime win over Villanova last month. Most of all they come close to matching the firepower of the Wildcats. Especially relevant is Creighton’s national ranking of eighth for scoring offense. Defensively the Jays are among the wosrt. Also, of concern is Creighton’s recent betting value. With just three payouts in their last ten games the Jays are limping in.
Matchup to Watch
Seems like there is little doubt about an inevitable championship game between Xavier and Villanova. sportsbook reviews on both teams are justifiably strong. Profitability and value are demonstrated traits of the pair. However, in the head to head series the Wildcats own the Musketeers. Ten of the last 11 times they have met Villanova came away with the cash. Especially relevant is Nova’s two blowout payoffs over Xavier this season.
2018 Big East Tournament NCAA Basketball Picks
In conclusion this week’s tournament offers the shot of redemption for Villanova. Few experts doubt that they are the Beast of the Big East. Brunson and the offense are too much for the rest of the league to overcome.
NCAA Basketball Betting Pick: Villanova Wildcats
