Would Papa Rick Pitino allow his St John's to go flat vs. son Richard and the X? ...

We don't have room to lost all of the reasons we prefer Seattle, but we'll try. Consider the odd dynamics in the AFC this season, wherein many contenders struggled and saw QBs get hurt, and schedule dynamics which all seemed to break in the Patriots' direction. This unique confluence of events helped get New England here but across the line is a different story. Recent Super Bowl underdog success (five straight covers) can be minimized a bit as recent "Supe" spreads have been so thin (1, 2, and 1 point the past three three), almost pick’em situations. Bottom line? The Seahawks have enough offense and definitely enough defense to avenge that grating Super Bowl XLIX loss eleven years ago. Play Seahawks

There have been specific spots when the depleted Pacers have offered some value, but it's never a blanket endorsement for Indiana this term. Recently, a bit more competitive, but still apt to lose, as the Pacers have now done three straight, and l the normal flux on the roster, with recent add ex-Clips C Ivica Zubac not yet due to make his Indiana debut, and Aaron Nesmith making the injury report (elbow, questionable). The playoff-bound Raps have already beaten the Pacers three times this season and were hitting on all cylinders when last seen Thursday night as Brandon ingram scored 33 in a 123-107 cruise past the Bulls at Scotiabank, which Toronto is hoping to turn into a bit more of a fortress. Play Raptors

Tulane has played in some bad luck for Ron Hunter but might have forged a turnaround with the rousing win last Sunday at Memphis. The Wave had lost five straight often-grating decisions before winning at FedEx Forum, though along the way have been able to trust sharpshooter Ryan Brumbaugh, who scored the winner in the final seven seconds vs. the Tigers as the last of his 27 points. Brumbaugh has been one of the American's most-consistent weapons, too, and has led Tulane in scoring seven times in the last nine games. Meanwhile, Wichita might rate a darkhorse in the looming American Tourney but has not been as comfy on the road, where it has lost three of its last four. Play Tulane

The walls might be closing in on Wes Miller, as his Bearcats have slipped beneath .500 (11-12) to the bottom tier of the Big 12. Not what the doctor ordered in a likely win-or-else season at Cincy. The problem in recent games is easy to identify...offense, or lack thereof; the Bearcats were held to 54 points in each of their last two games. Having Houston put on the clamps is one thing, but letting West Virginia do the same is another. Meanwhile, UCF is riding the bubble and will be on high alert after a 1-point escape at home vs. the Bearcats January 11, and happy not to be facing Houston after a heavy midweek loss to the Cougs. Play UCF

Note the Denton connection as the last two North Texas coaches square off for the first time in their new jobs. Ross Hodge of course served as Grant McCasland's top assistant for six years with the Mean Green until taking over UNT in 2023 after McCasland moved to Lubbock. Both preached a patient, defense-oriented approach that got UNT an NIT title just before McCasland moved, and while Texas Tech has been more apt to run with McCasland, the Red Raiders are also comfy playing the sorts of grinders their coach appreciates. As for Hodge, a chip off the old block, as his Mountaineers are playing in the old North Texas style, as recent scorelines indicate (113, 116, 113 in succession). Play Texas Tech-West Virginia Under

Maybe there's something about this matchup that simply doesn't work for American leader Tulsa? That's a question worth asking after the Golden Hurricane lost 93-78 at home to South Florida on January 10. The Bulls led almost wire-to-wire, controlled the boards 41-31, and saw G Wes Enis lead all scorers with 32 points. Tulsa and its 87.5 ppg offense haven't lost for Eric Konkol since, but haven't played South Florida since January 10, either, and the Golden Hurricane has been cutting it pretty close the last two road games at Rice and FAU. With five double-digit scorers, USF has the artillery to cause big problems for Tulsa again and catch the Golden Hurricane at the top of the American table. Play South Florida

By Super Bowl Sunday we usually have a pretty good idea about the direction of the season for college hoop teams, and for Penn State, it's not good. Now bottom of the Big Ten, the Nittany Lions recently broke an 8-game skid only to lose by 41 in their next game at Michigan. They should come closer today vs. USC but the Trojans are viewing this trip to Happy Valley with some importance as a loss would damage Big Dance at-large credentials. Eric Musselman's team, however, has won a couple on the Big Ten trail, plus win the Maui Classic in November, and are starting to see the real Alijah Arenas, who scored a season-high 29 in Tuesday's win over Indiana. Play USC

Sunday's interested spectator will be Arsenal, as the Gunners, already nine points clear in the Prem, only need worry about Man City catching up, and there's a chance Pep Guardiola's squad won't be any closer after the doings at Anfield. Though we suspect City can still get a result as it did on November 9 at the Etihad when rolling 3-0 behind strikes from Erling Haaland, Nico González, and Jérémy Doku. That was when the Reds were in their notorious autumn slump, and while Liverpool has piled up ten goals across the past two matches, we are effectively dismissing those in relation to the greater challenge of this match. Arne Slot's side just hasn't looked as sharp as last year. Play City on Asian Line

Home court has often meant something in the Big Sky and case in point is Sac State, which earlier only played twice at the new Hornet Pavilion in a two-month span but has won three straight at home for Mike Bibby since last week. That puts the Hornets 5-0 at home in Big Sky action as Bibby has adjusted from the loss of 6-11 Bear Cherry in November, now a perimeter-oriented attack around Gs Prophet Johnson (61 points across last two) and Mikey Williams. Note PSU is setting the pace in the Sky and won handily in the first meeting, but don't see the Vikes dominating the glass as they did or hitting 55% from the floor as last month. Play Sac State

Slowly moving to the safe side of the Big Dance cut-line, the Bruins have won four of five and could easily have five in a row if not for a gnawing OT loss last week vs. Indiana. Mick Cronin's bunch did bounce back smartly earlier this week vs. Rutgers at Pauley Pavilion in arguably one of their better showings of the season, hitting 57% from the floor with 6-11 Xavier Booker playing the game of his career with 24 points on 10-for-11 FG shooting. The Huskies have made a habit of losing close games and UCLA took the Huskies' best shot in Seattle on December 3 when emerging with an 82-80 win, overcoming 29 points by UW's star frosh F Hannes Steinbach. Play UCLA

Steve Alford's Wolf Pack has been growling at home in Mountain West action and expect that to continue tonight vs. beatable Fresno. Nevada will be on alert after a 1-point escape at the Save-Mart Center last month, but has won and covered four straight and five of six in Mountain West play at Lawlor Center. The Pack also has the hottest scorer in the MW in UTEP transfer wing Corey Camper, who has went for 30_ in the last two games (more specifically 33.5 ppg). Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have recovered slightly in recent weeks but have too often gone cold, and not particularly accurate with their 3-balls (barely 32%), while not far removed from an earlier six-game losing streak. Play Nevada

Not often focusing upon Steve Lavin's USD, but upon inspection his Toreros haven't offered bad spread value, actually covering 8 of 12 despite off of back-to-back losses to Oregon State and Saint Mary's. On the WCC trail USD has covered three of five, not great but not bad, and the last two games have featured subpar production from top scorer, Wake Forest transfer G Ty-Laur Johnson (15.3 ppg), held to single digits in the losses to the Beavers and Gaels. At its own level, USD hasn't been outclassed this season, and has put up good fights vs USC and Gonzaga this season. Simply not sure we want to lay points with LMU, which had lost six straight prior to Thursday's win at USF. Play USD

San Jose actually played its best game in a while when making New Mexico work for a 90-80 win at the Event Center last Saturday, but it's been apparent since early this season that Tim Miles was working on shorter rations with this roster. The portal continues to take a bit out of SJSU, though Longwood transfer G Colby Garland (18.2 ppg; 23 vs Lobos) has proven a nice addition. Still, the Spartans have lost contact often, and CSU has had a week to stew over a poor effort at border rival Wyo. Ali Faroukmanesh's Rams also recently got key frontliners Kyle Jorgensen and Rashaan Mbempa back to active duty. Play Colorado State

We suspect the Vivid Seats or Stub Hub ticket prices for this game have dropped considerably with both Steph Curry (knee) and Luka Doncic (hamstring) sitting out tonight. Jimmy Butler was already sidelined for the season for the Warriors, and with Buddy Hield and Jonathan Kuminga both shipped out at the deadline, Steve Kerr might need to suit up himself to give Golden State some offense tonight. Meanwhile, though Luka is in LA's dry-dock tonight, Austin Reaves has returned to active duty this week (and scored 35 in the Thursday win over Philly), and LeBron has saved some big efforts in the past for the Dubs. Play Lakers