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Big East Basketball: Buy or sell Butler, St. John’s and other bubble teams

By Eddie Herz

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: A general view during the championship game of the Big East basketball tournament between the Villanova Wildcats and the Xavier Musketeers at Madison Square Garden on March 14, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: A general view during the championship game of the Big East basketball tournament between the Villanova Wildcats and the Xavier Musketeers at Madison Square Garden on March 14, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 05: Justin Simon #5 of the St. John’s Red Storm reacts in the second half against the Marquette Golden Eagles at the Fiserv Forum on February 05, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 05: Justin Simon #5 of the St. John’s Red Storm reacts in the second half against the Marquette Golden Eagles at the Fiserv Forum on February 05, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

St. John’s Red Storm – Buy

The Johnnies’ signature victory over Villanova at home last Sunday put the finishing touches on what will be the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in four years under Chris Mullin. The former Red Storm star has done wonders since taking over for Steve Lavin after the 2014-’15 season. St. John’s improved from eight wins under Mullin in his first season to 14, then 16, to a high-scoring 19-7 team right now.

The Johnnies hit a rough patch in which they dropped four of five Big East contests subsequent to a 14-1 first half of the season. Receiving an invite to play in March Madness was never really in doubt in my mind. I assumed Shamorie Ponds and company had much more in the tank to pick up some key victories and that is precisely what they did.

The Red Storm’s 3-1 combined record over Marquette and Nova is the best in the conference, which is all that needs to be said when arguing their case. If St. John’s was to lose-out and fall shy of the 20-win mark, things would certainly get interesting. However, there is no need to worry about that. The Red Storm still play Xavier twice and have winnable road games at Providence and Depaul. The Demons can be dangerous at home, but keep in mind Ponds won’t be on the bench against Leitao’s team this time around (knock on wood St John’s fans).

20-plus victories and a likely finish within the top four of the Big East will result in easy passing of the committee’s eye test. I’m buying the Johnnies and am generally excited to see how far Ponds can take them in March.

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