**Syracuse vs. Cincinnati**
Madison Square Garden, New York City, N.Y.

--Most sports books are listing Cincinnati (19-11 straight up, 9-16 against the spread) as a 2 1/2-point favorite with a total of 142. The Orangemen are plus 135 on the money line.

--Syracuse (19-11 SU, 10-17 ATS) has lost three consecutive games both SU and ATS. Not only that, but the Orangemen have lost all three games by double digits, including a complete no-show in a 108-69 defeat Thursday at Depaul. They finished the regular season Sunday by dropping a 92-82 decision to Villanova as 3 1/2-point home underdogs.

--Andy Kennedy's squad wrapped up the regular season Sunday with a 78-75 win over West Virginia, but most Cincy backers had to settle for a push as a three-point favorite. Eric Hicks produced a workmanlike performance, scoring 18 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Freshman guard Devan Downey finished with 16 points, 10 assists and five rebounds, while James White added 15 points and six boards.

--Both teams have seen the 'over' go 5-2 in their last seven games.

--These schools split a pair of regular-season meetings with each dealing out woodshed treatment on the road. Back on Jan. 14, the 'Cuse went to Cincy and emerged with a 77-58 win, while the Bearcats returned the favor Feb. 15 at the Carrier Dome by capturing an 82-65 triumph.

--The 'over' went 15-13 for the 'Cuse, 16-11 for Cincy.

--ESPN will have television coverage at noon Eastern.

**Notre Dame vs. Georgetown**

--Most spots have installed Georgetown (19-8 SU, 12-11 ATS) as a 2 1/2-point favorite with a 131 1/2-point tally. The Irish are plus 130 on the money line.

--Notre Dame (15-12 SU, 15-10 ATS) has won five of its last seven games, including back-to-back wins that qualified the Irish for the Big East Tournament. They are off a 66-61 win against Depaul as 8 1/2-point home favorites.

--John Thompson III's squad finished its regular season with a disappointing 63-56 loss at South Florida, which was previously winless in Big East play. The Hoyas have lost four of their last six games both SU and ATS.

--Notre Dame has covered the spread as an underdog in nine straight games. The Irish are 9-1 ATS as 'dogs this season.

--When these schools met on Jan. 24, the Hoyas won an 85-82 decision at Notre Dame in double overtime. They won outright as one-point underdogs thanks to 18 points and 13 rebounds from Roy Hibbert. Chris Quinn had 26 points and 10 assists for the Irish in the losing effort.

--The 'over' is 16-8 for Mike Brey's squad.

--The 'under' is 8-2 in Georgetown's last 10 games.

--The 'over' is 7-2 in the last nine head-to-head meetings between these teams.

--The winner will face Marquette at 2:00 p.m. Eastern on Thursday.

--ESPN will have the telecast around 2:30 p.m. Eastern, approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of Syracuse-Cincy.


**Rutgers vs. Seton Hall**

--Most spots have tabbed the Pirates as two-point favorites with a total of 129.

--Seton Hall (18-10 SU, 14-11 ATS) has covered the spread in seven straight games against the Scarlet Knights. The Pirates finished the regular season with two impressive wins -- Cincy at home and at Pitt -- to most likely lock up an at-large invitation to the NCAA Tournament. A win in this spot would remove all doubt.

--Louis Orr's squad finished the regular season with a 65-61 win at Pittsburgh as an 11 1/2-point underdog. The Pirates won outright as double-digit 'dogs for the third time this season. They also pulled the trick at North Carolina State and at Syracuse.

--Although Gary Waters resigned last week, Rutgers (17-12 SU, 13-12 ATS) has won four of its last six games, including Saturday's 82-70 win at St. John's as a three-point underdog.

--Rutgers power forward J.R. Inman (8.8 points, 5.2 rebounds per game) has missed seven consecutive games since breaking his fibula. Inman is

--Both teams have seen the 'over' go 14-10 this year.

--ESPN will provide television coverage at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

**Louisville vs. Pittsburgh**

--Most spots have tabbed Pittsburgh (21-6 SU, 12-9 ATS) as a 4 1/2-point favorite with a 132-point total. The Cardinals are plus 170 on the money line.

--Louisville (18-11 SU, 9-16 ATS) has been a go-against team all year long, but it has covered the spread in four straight games. The Cardinals are off an 84-80 loss at UConn as 14 1/2-point underdogs.

--Rick Pitino's team is 3-5 ATS in eight games as an underdog.

--These teams met at Freedom Hall back on Jan. 15 with Pitt collecting a 61-57 win as a three-point underdog. The 118 combined points fell 'under' the 135 1/2-point total.

--The 'under' was a serious money maker for the Cardinals this year, cashing tickets at a 16-7 clip. On the flip side, Pitt watched the 'over' go 14-8.