College basketball tournament predictions, picks, odds Friday: St. John’s vs. Marquette, Duke vs. North Carolina

Ill never forget where I was when Ray Allen hit his off-balance leaner over Allen Iverson (the den of my childhood home), when Kemba Walker hit his step-back jumper against Pitt (a JFK Airport bar, having just explained to my new girlfriend the future Mrs.

Hoops that Id be writing a new college basketball gambling column on our first vacation together) or when Sterling Gibbs stunned top-seeded Villanova with no time left (working courtside).

I can safely say Ill also always remember where I was when Xaviers Ryan Conwell banked in a buzzer-beater just inside half-court for the backdoor cover Thursday.

The roar inside the Garden made it clear Im not alone.

St.

Johns (-4.5) over Marquette The Golden Eagles have stood toe-to-toe with the Big East champs losing by six, before the heartbreak of last weeks overtime buzzer-beater but the Red Storm still have another gear, as they displayed in their blowout win over Butler.

As poor as St.

Johns perimeter shooting has been this season, it should only improve upon the 8-of-39 performances in the two wins over Marquette, while maintaining its dominance on the offensive glass.

Shaka Smart cant prepare his team for the Garden crowd, 40 minutes from watching the Red Storm advance to their first Big East Tournament title game in 25 years.

Ucla (+1) over Wisconsin The Badgers havent won back-to-back games in nearly a month thanks to the inconsistent shooting of their only double-digit scorers (John Tonje, John Blackwell) and lost their lone matchup against the Bruins despite hitting 15 of 30 3s against a top-15 defense.

UCLAs Mick Cronin has lost his opening conference tournament game just once since 2016 while winning two conference championships and making three other title game appearances in that span.

North Carolina (+7.5) over Duke Neither side has beaten its rival three times in a single season since 2002.

It would have been difficult to do so even with Cooper Flagg, facing a desperate, talented team that likely needs a win to secure an NCAA Tournament berth.

But with the next No.

1 pick expected to sit after leaving Thursdays game with an ankle injury, the Tar Heels have far more reason to believe the outright upset is in play.

Betting on College Basketball? This season: 5-3 2011-24 record: 378-340-12 Why Trust New York Post Betting Howie Kussoy has long been the New York Posts main handicapper in college basketball (since 2011) and college football (since 2013)..

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