Despite playing a fair amount of its games at Madison Square Garden, St. John's hasn't had much of a home-court advantage during the Big East tournament in recent years. Based on its play in Manhattan this season, that could change.

The fifth-seeded and No. 17 Red Storm look to continue their recent success at MSG when they open tournament play against 13th-seed Rutgers on Wednesday.

Oddsmakers currently have the Red Storm listed as 10½-point favorites versus the Scarlet Knights, while the game's total is sitting at 129½.

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Though St. John's has won 14 of 17 against Rutgers (15-16), the Scarlet Knights proved they can play with the Red Storm and should have plenty of momentum after a 76-70 overtime win over Seton Hall in Tuesday's first round. They covered the 4.5–point spread as underdogs.

Senior forward Jonathan Mitchell scored 25 points as the Scarlet Knights snapped a three-game tournament losing streak.

The only Rutgers player averaging double-figure points at 14.2, Mitchell had 21 against St. John's last month.

St. John's (20-10) finished on a 9-2 stretch to post its first 20-win season since going 21-13 in 2002-03. Though the Red Storm are destined to return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2002, they'd first like to enjoy some success this week.

The Red Storm have not won more than one game in the Big East tournament since claiming the 2000 championship.

After going 44-53 the previous three seasons, St. John's senior-dominated roster under new coach Steve Lavin tied for third with a 12-6 league finish.

St. John's was a 72-56 winner in its last match against South Florida. They covered the 12–point spread as favorites.

Rutgers:
Team record: 15-16 SU, 12-12-2 ATS

When playing on Wednesday are 5-5
After playing Seton Hall are 3-7
After a win are 5-5

St. John's:
Team record: 20-10 SU, 15-14 ATS

is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games when playing Rutgers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Rutgers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 6 games

When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
After playing South Florida are 2-3
After a win are 6-4