Butler Bulldogs betting odds line spread pick predictions best bets – Page 2

Big East Tournament: Butler vs. Xavier odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Butler vs. Xavier odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The ninth-seeded Butler Bulldogs (13-18) and eighth-seeded Xavier Musketeers (18-12) battle Wednesday in a Big East Tournament first-round game. Tip-off from Madison Square Garden in New York is slated for 4:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Butler vs. Xavier odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Butler went 6-14 over 20 Big East games. The Bulldogs faced Xavier twice (Jan. 7, Feb. 2) and dropped both games. Slow-tempo BU is solid on defense, especially along the perimeter, but has struggled down the stretch. The Bulldogs are just 2-8 over their last 10 games.

Xavier shot a combined 50.5% over its regular-season victories against Butler. The fast-paced Musketeers are solid at both ends of the floor and usually leverage an advantage in free-throw attempts.

However, XU also scuffled over the final weeks of the regular season as it went 2-7 over its last nine outings. Xavier went 8-11 in Big East play.

See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports

Butler vs. Xavier odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:03 a.m. ET.

Money line: Butler +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Xavier -270 (bet $270 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Butler +5.5 (-120) | Xavier -5.5 (-113)
Over/Under (O/U): 131.5 (O: -113 | U: -120)

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Butler vs. Xavier odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Xavier 70, Butler 60

Money line

Don’t be fooled by the close seeds here — Xavier is the much better team. The second meeting in the regular season saw XU defeat BU 68-66, but Xavier led that game by 15 midway through the second half.

Xavier is the better shooting team and does better in denying good looks at the other end. However, even with slumps in those areas, the Musketeers figure to have an advantage in just about any other key area of comparison. Differences in rebounds, turnovers and free throws add up.

Do they add up to a 75% win expectancy, thereby creating some profit margin on this ML tag? Yes. It’ll take a certain bankroll level to leverage the value, but that value is there. BACK XAVIER (-270).

Against the spread

Butler is 1-3 against Quad 1 opponents; Xavier is 5-9. The Musketeers are the team that is more March-ready.

TAKE XAVIER -5.5 (-113).

Over/Under

STEER CLEAR of a well-made number.

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Villanova at Butler odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Villanova at Butler odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No. 11 Villanova Wildcats (22-7, 15-4 Big East) face the Butler Bulldogs (13-17, 6-13) Saturday in Indianapolis. The contest at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse is slated to tip off at noon ET (FOX). Below, we look at the Villanova vs. Butler odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Villanova was felled by now-No. 19 UConn 71-69 in its last road game (Feb. 22). The Wildcats have played just once since, squeaking out a 76-74 win over No. 8 Providence Tuesday. ‘Nova has gotten to the line 22.1 times per game in going 6-1 over its last seven games. The Wildcats shot 83.2% from the stripe over that span.

Butler was nearly doubled up by Villanova the last time these two met. The Wildcats shot 59.6% from the field to the Bulldogs’ 30.8%, as Villanova prevailed 82-42 in Philadelphia Jan. 16. Butler has struggled offensively in going just 4-10 since that first blowout.

Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Villanova at Butler odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:57 a.m. ET.

Money line: Villanova -475 (bet $475 to win $100) | Butler +340 (bet $100 to win $340)
Against the spread (ATS): Villanova -8.5 (-120) | Butler +8.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 127.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Villanova at Butler odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Villanova 66, Butler 61

Money line

AVOID.

Things went sideways on Butler in the Jan. 16 meeting, but look for a strong effort from the home five in this one.

Villanova will still pick up the road win, but the -475 price is too expensive and risky.

Against the spread

The Bulldogs have been right in some recent games against tough competition. They are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games, including three consecutive covers. Villanova is 1-4-1 ATS in its last six.

Last season, Butler lost at ‘Nova by 19 in the teams’ first meeting (at Villanova) only to come back and beat the Wildcats by 12 two months later at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

TAKE BUTLER +8.5 (-105).

Over/Under

Peg this noon contest for a plodding pace. Villanova’s offense has stumbled in more than a couple Big East games out west. Consider a partial-unit play on the UNDER 127.5 (-112).

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Butler at Seton Hall odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Wednesday’s Butler at Seton Hall odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Butler Bulldogs (13-15, 6-11 Big East) meet the Seton Hall Pirates (16-9, 7-8) Wednesday at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Tip time is slated for 8:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Butler vs. Seton Hall odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Butler gave then-No. 9 Providence a scare Sunday before falling 71-70 in overtime at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs led by 19 early in the second half, but the visiting Friars came back to tie the game in regulation and win by 1 point in the extra session. BU now heads on the road, where it is 1-6 since Jan. 16.

The Pirates have struggled in Big East play after going 9-1 in non-conference games at the outset of the season. However, Seton Hall does boast a solid defense and strong offensive rebounding. SHU has held opposing fives at a 40.2% mark from the floor in going 6-2 over its last eight games.

Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Butler at Seton Hall odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:22 p.m. ET.

Money line: Butler +370 (bet $100 to win $370) | Seton Hall -520 (bet $520 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Butler +9.5 (-112) | Seton Hall -9.5 (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 129.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)

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Butler at Seton Hall odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Seton Hall 73, Butler 64

Money line

PASS.

Against the spread

Seton Hall is just 1-4 ATS over its last five home games.

Save for a clunker at St. John’s two games back, Butler has been quite good this month, although it doesn’t have the wins to show it. The Bulldogs are a relatively young team and could be growing into a better version of themselves before tournament season.

BACK THE BULLDOGS +9.5 (-112).

Over/Under

Butler plays a slow-paced game but is dragged into quicker tempos by superior teams. The Over is 8-1-1 in the Bulldogs’ last 10 games against opponents playing .600-or-better basketball.

Shot analytics and possession efficiency numbers peg the Butler offense as being due for an upswing.

TAKE THE OVER 129.5 (-107).

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Butler at St. John’s odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s Butler at St. John’s odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Butler Bulldogs (13-13, 6-9 Big East) and St. John’s Red Storm (14-11, 5-8) meet Friday in New York. The contest at Carnesecca Arena is slated to tip-off at 5 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Butler vs. St. John’s odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Butler downed DePaul 73-71 Tuesday in Chicago. The slow-tempo Bulldogs have scored 158 points over consecutive wins after averaging just 59.7 points per game in going 2-7 from Jan. 16-Feb. 8. That stretch included a 75-72 home loss to this St. John’s team.

St. John’s, conversely, is a fast-paced team. They’re coming off a 86-73 victory at Xavier but had two low-scoring losses prior. The Red Storm averaged 78.6 PPG over five games from Jan. 24 – Feb. 5, but are just 4-8 over their last dozen games. The Storm hasn’t won in four home games since Jan. 16.

Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Butler at St. John’s odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11 a.m. ET.

Money line: Butler +310 (bet $100 to win $310) | St. John’s -410 (bet $410 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Butler +8.5 (-112) | St. John’s -8.5 (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 141.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Butler at St. John’s odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

St. John’s 75, Butler 68

Money line

STEER CLEAR.

Against the spread

The last three games between St. John’s and Butler have been decided by 8 points or fewer. The Bulldogs have made some modest offensive strides of late: covers against the defensively-solid Xavier and Marquette stand out.

BACK BUTLER +8.5 (-112).

Over/Under

The Over is 9-1-1 in the Bulldogs’ last 11 games as underdogs and is 4-1 in the Red Storm’s last five games as favorites.

The Over snuck by in the first meeting between Butler and SJU. With BU’s offensive gains of late and the Red Storm’s pace, BACK THE OVER 141.5 (-108) Friday.

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Xavier at Butler odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s Xavier Musketeers at Butler Bulldogs odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No. 24 Xavier Musketeers (11-2, 1-1 Big East) visit the Butler Bulldogs (8-5, 1-1) Friday in Indianapolis. Tip-off in the Big East battle at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse is slated for 8:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Xavier vs. Butler odds and lines and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Xavier hasn’t played since a 71-58 loss Dec. 21 at Villanova. The Musketeers are a sharp-shooting team with a 52.1% effective field goal mark but one that still hauls down a lot of offensive rebounds.

The Musketeers have been solid-but-inconsistent from 3-point range, and they’ve connected on just 26.8% of their attempts the last two games combined.

The Bulldogs have played two games since Dec. 21: they defeated DePaul 63-59 Dec. 29 and lost to Seton Hall 71-56 Tuesday. Butler plays the slowest-pace brand of basketball in the Big East and its 60.8 points allowed per game is the top average in the circuit.

Xavier at Butler odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:05 a.m. ET.

Money line: Xavier -270 (bet $270 to win $100) | Butler +210 (bet $100 to win $210)
Against the spread (ATS): Xavier -6.5 (-105) | Butler +6.5 (-120)
Over/Under (O/U): 130.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)

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Xavier at Butler odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Xavier 69, Butler 62

Money line

The Musketeer layoff is a wildcard consideration, but Xavier has the bigger, more talented, deeper roster. XU is a veteran-laden squad and perhaps the layoff would be a bigger deal with a younger team.

Xavier is a likable play minus the points, but X bettors thinking more rust or concerned with a backdoor cover may want to consider the MUSKETEERS (-270).

Against the spread

XU is 9-4 against the spread and 4-1 ATS in its last five games as a favorite. The Bulldogs are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games as an underdog. The road team is 4-1 ATS in the last five series meetings.

Xavier won at Butler 68-55 in January last season, and that was despite being a minus-7 in turnovers and only logging 5 offensive rebounds.

The Bulldogs are solid on defense but expect Xavier’s size and athleticism to open up good looks, second-chance buckets, and a lot of trips to the free-throw line. The Musketeers have averaged a robust 21.5 trips to the line per game.

It’s a Friday night game, and in my view this play is tucked away as a hidden gem on this week’s overall college hoops schedule. On high confidence, BACK XAVIER -6.5 (-105).

Over/Under

Too much of a coin flip: AVOID.

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Butler vs. Xavier odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Wednesday’s Butler Bulldogs vs. Xavier Musketeers odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks, tips and predictions.

The No. 10-seed Butler Bulldogs (9-14, 8-12 Big East) meet the No. 7-seed Xavier Musketeers (13-7, 6-7) in the first round of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Butler-Xavier odds and lines, with NCAA college basketball picks and predictions.

Butler vs. Xavier: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.

Money line: Butler +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Xavier -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Butler +6.5 (-110) | Xavier -6.5 (+110)
Over/Under: 133.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Butler vs. Xavier: Three things to know

Butler was humbled at Creighton Saturday, falling 93-73, in its worst loss of the season. Still, they’re 2-1 SU/ATS across the past three, including a win at home over Villanova. The Bulldogs are 0-5 SU/1-4 ATS across the past five away from home, however.
Xavier is also looking to bounce back after a pair of road losses to Georgetown and Marquette. The last time these teams met in Cincinnati, the Musketeers picked up a 63-51 win against the Bulldogs as 11-point favorites. XU also won 68-55 at Butler on Jan. 30 as two-point underdogs.
The Under is 3-1-1 in Butler’s past five games against teams with a winning overall record, while Xavier is 3-1-1 in its past five overall and 3-1-1 in the past five following a straight-up loss. The Under cashed in both regular-season meetings between these teams, too.

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Butler vs. Xavier: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Xavier 67, Butler 63

Money line (ML)

While Xavier (-300) picked up wins and covers in each of the two regular-season meetings against Butler (+240), the Musketeers have won just twice in the past seven games overall. You cannot risk three times your potential return on a team that is ice-cold, especially in a game that isn’t on their home court. PASS.

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Against the spread (ATS)

BUTLER +6.5 (-110) is worth a looking catching three buckets from skidding Xavier -6.5 (+110) in this neutral-site affair. Butler has covered two of the past three outings, and they’re 5-4 ATS across the past nine. Xavier is 2-7 ATS during the same stretch.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 133.5 (-110) is the best play on the board in this Big East first-round matchup. Neither of these teams are playing with a lot of confidence at the offensive end, and the Under cashed in each of the two regular-season meetings. There are very few reasons to go with the Over.

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Butler at Creighton odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s Butler Bulldogs at Creighton Bluejays odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks, tips and predictions.

The Butler Bulldogs (9-13, 8-11 Big East) travel to meet the No. 12 Creighton Blue Jays (17-7, 13-6) Saturday at the CHI Health Center Omaha for a 5 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Butler-Creighton odds and lines, with NCAA college basketball picks and predictions.

Rankings courtesy of Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Butler at Creighton: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:45 a.m. ET.

Money line: Butler +675 (bet $100 to win $675) | Creighton -1100 (bet $1,100 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Butler +12.5 (-110) | Creighton -12.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 133.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Butler at Creighton: Three things to know

Butler scored a huge 73-61 win over Villanova last time out on Feb. 28, winning outright as an 11.5-point underdog. The victory served notice to the rest of the Big East that the Bulldogs are still a team to be reckoned with, even if they’re having a down season.
The last time these teams met on Jan. 16, Butler scored a 70-66 win in overtime as seven-point underdogs on its home court in Indianapolis. The road has been a different story for the Bulldogs, as they’re just 1-8 SU/3-6 ATS in nine away games this season.
Creighton is licking its wounds after getting smashed 72-60 at Villanova on Wednesday, a second consecutive loss on the road. At home, the Blue Jays have been money, however, going 3-1 SU across the past four at CHI Health Center Omaha. The Under is 4-1-1 in Creighton’s past six games overall, too.

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Butler at Creighton: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Creighton 70, Butler 61

Money line (ML)

Creighton (-1100) is going to win this game on its home court, but there is no way to ever justify backing a favorite laying this kind of juice, even in a parlay involving several teams. There is just no value here. PASS.

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Against the spread (ATS)

BUTLER +12.5 (-110) has been an absolute train wreck on the road this season, winning just once in nine true road games in conference, while covering just thrice. However, they do have the confidence of having already beaten Creighton once this season, and they won outright in their last instance as a double-digit ‘dog.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 133.5 (-105) is the lean, but don’t expect it to cash by much. Go lightly, as the Under is 4-1-1 in Creighton’s past six, and 2-1 in the previous three for Butler. The Under also cashed in the first meeting even though the game went to overtime, so there’s that, too.

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Villanova at Butler odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Sunday’s Villanova Wildcats at Butler Bulldogs sports odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks, tips and predictions.

The No. 6 Villanova Wildcats (15-3 overall, 10-2 Big East) face-off with Butler Bulldogs (8-13, 7-11) Sunday in a Big East battle at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The tip-off is set for noon ET. Below, we analyze the Villanova-Butler odds and lines, with NCAA college basketball picks and predictions.

Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Villanova at Butler: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 10:51 p.m. ET.

Money line: Villanova -800 (bet $800 to win $100) | Butler +550 (bet $100 to win $550)
Against the spread/ATS: Villanova -11.5 (-110) | Butler +11.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 128.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Villanova at Butler: Three things to know

The Wildcats avenged one of their conference losses by routing St. John’s 81-58 as 11-point home favorites Tuesday to win their second straight and fourth out of five games (2-2-1 ATS).
Butler snapped a three-game losing skid by upsetting Seton Hall 61-52 as a 7.5-point home favorite and is 2-3 overall (2-3 ATS) in its last five games. The Bulldogs are in the basement of the Big East in several team categories including points per game, rebounds per game and field-goal percentage.
Villanova has won six of its last seven (6-1 ATS) against Butler, including an 85-66 beatdown as a 12.5-point home favorite earlier this season.

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Villanova at Butler: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Villanova 79, Butler 62

Money line (ML)

PASS because Villanova (-800) is the right side, but you’d have to be insane to pay that kind of vig for an outright victory. Just bet the spread instead of risking eight times your return.

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Against the spread (ATS)

Villanova is one of the most efficient offenses (fifth in offensive rating) and best shooting teams in the country (38th in true shooting percentage). The only reason Butler isn’t giving up more points per game is that it uses ultra-slow pace (332nd in pace of play) to hide a weak defense.

It makes sense—fewer possessions for the offense should equal fewer points—and this is all because Butler ranks 218th in defensive rating and 272nd in opponent’s true shooting percentage.

All the basketball edges Villanova has means Butler would need really poor effort and execution by the Wildcats for the Bulldogs to even cover here. TAKE VILLANOVA -11.5 (-110) for 1 unit.

Over/Under (O/U)

As ridiculous as this sounds, it would appear as bookmakers aren’t adjusting the recent results between Villanova-Butler. The Over has cashed in three straight meetings and seven of the past eight contests.

Also, my read is that the Wildcats are motivated to finish their regular season strong after recent conference upsets, so I am expecting Villanova won’t take its foot off the gas. BET OVER 128.5 (-115) for a half-unit.

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St. John’s at Butler odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Tuesday’s St. John’s Red Storm at Butler Bulldogs odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks, tips and predictions.

The Butler Bulldogs (6-10, 5-8 Big East) host the St. John’s Red Storm (13-7, 7-6) in a Big East battle at Hinkle Fieldhouse Tuesday. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the St. John’s-Butler college basketball odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

St. John’s at Butler: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Money line: St. John’s +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Butler -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: St. John’s +1.5 (-110) | Butler -1.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 138.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

St. John’s at Butler: Three things to know

The Johnnies are playing their best basketball in years under second-year head coach Mike Anderson. St. John’s is on a six-game winning streak, including a 70-59 victory over then-No. 3 Villanova as a 9-point home underdog Wednesday. The Johnnies have won four road games against conference opponents during their win streak.
Butler snapped a three-game losing skid by beating and covering 68-58 at home against DePaul Saturday. The Bulldogs are 3-3 straight up and 4-2 ATS in their last six games but have shot below 40% from the field in those games.
St. John’s-Butler was originally scheduled for mid-December but was postponed due to COVID-19 issues. These teams met Jan. 12 and the Johnnies clocked the Bulldogs 69-57 as 1.5-point home favorites.

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St. John’s at Butler: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

St. John’s 72, Butler 60

Money line (ML)

Butler plays at one of the slowest tempos in the nation and its assist percentage is mediocre, which tells me there isn’t a lot of ball movement for the offense. A slow-paced, methodical offense isn’t a good fit against the Johnnies’ aggressive on-the-ball defense that includes full-court presses.

In their first matchup, the Bulldogs lost the turnover battle 16-8 and connected on just 25% of their 3-point attempts compared to the Johnnies’ 35% 3-point percentage. These aren’t random occurrences as much as it’s how St. John’s has played recently.

Over their six-game winning streak, the Johnnies are forcing 15.3 turnovers per game and opponents are shooting just 30.5% from 3-point range. St. John’s freshman PG Posh Alexander leads the Big East in steals per game (2.6) and has been on a tear lately, menacing the opposing team’s point guards.

Each team is going in a different direction and I’m heading toward the Red Storm Tuesday. TAKE ST. JOHN’S (+105) for 1.5 units.

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Against the spread (ATS)

PASS ON THE SPREAD unless it gets up to St. John’s +2.5.

Over/Under (O/U)

St. John’s games were going Over regularly but over the past 10 games, the Johnnies are 4-5-1 O/U. A lot of it has to do with St. John’s defense but its half-court offense is starting to gel.

The market is hammering the Under currently and I’d rather follow the money than fade it. Butler’s offense cannot take advantage of an aggressive St. John’s defense and the Johnnies’ offense goes missing for stretches.

It’s only a lean but, I’d BET UNDER 138.5 (-110) for a tiny wager if any on the total.

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Butler at St. John’s odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Tuesday’s Butler Bulldogs at St. John’s Red Storm sports betting odds and lines, with college basketball betting picks, tips and predictions.

The St. John’s Red Storm (6-6, 1-5 Big East) host the Butler Bulldogs (3-6, 2-4) Tuesday at Carnesecca Arena for a Big East battle. The tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Butler-St. John’s college basketball betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Butler at St. John’s: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Money line: Butler +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | St. John’s -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Butler +1.5 (-110) | St. John’s -1.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 142.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Butler at St. John’s: Three things to know

Butler has lost three of four including a 72-60 loss at home to UConn its last time out Jan. 9. The Bulldogs have an anemic offense that ranks 312th in points per game and 254th in field-goal percentage despite being an above-average 3-point shooting team (89th in 3-point percentage).
St. John’s has lost four of its last five games with the previous two coming on the road, and the latest was a 97-79 beatdown by Creighton this past Saturday. The Johnnies have Swiss cheese defense: 326th in opponent’s points per game, 334th opponent’s field-goal shooting and 318th opponent’s 3-point shooting.
The Bulldogs beat the Johnnies in both St. John’s-Butler games last season (1-1 ATS)—a 77-55 win at home in March 2020 and a 60-58 win at St. John’s in Dec. 2019—and have won five of their last seven meetings (4-3 ATS).

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Butler at St. John’s: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

St. John’s 79, Butler 71

Money line (ML)

St. John’s has one of the worst defenses in the country, however, Butler doesn’t have an offense that can take advantage of that.

The Bulldogs have the worst effective field-goal percentage in the Big East, the 270th ranked true shooting percentage (which takes into account free throw shooting), the 244th-highest offensive rating and their defensive rating is even worse.

When you look under the Johnnies’ hood it’s not much prettier but, St. John’s is a perfect 5-0 at home and Butler is 0-3 in road games. That’s enough for me to BACK ST. JOHN’S (-125) for 1 unit to win outright.

Against the spread (ATS)

PASS ON THE SPREAD. I’d rather spend extra for a straight-up St. John’s win than fuss with them covering any number.

Two readily available ATS trends I’ve seen can give us confidence backing St. John’s: The home team has covered 10 of the last 11 Butler-St. John’s meetings, and the favorite is 8-3 ATS in those games (Covers.com).

Over/Under (O/U)

PASS ON THE TOTAL with a lean on the OVER 142.5 (-110). The O/U trends point in opposite directions for both teams with Butler games trending Under and St. John’s games trending Over.

Furthermore, these teams play at completely different paces: Butler plays at the 335th-fastest pace while St. John’s pace ranks at 12th. Since I’m on St. John’s to win outright, I figure the game will be played at the Johnnies’ tempo but, I don’t have a strong enough feel to put cash on it.

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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