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The Delaware Blue Hens (7-5) face the No. 24 St. John’s Red Storm (10-2) Saturday. Tip-off from Carnesecca Arena in Queens, N.Y., is set for 6 p.m. ET (FS1). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Delaware vs. St. John’s odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
The Blue Hens lost 72-64 to the St. Peter’s Peacocks Dec. 20, failing to cover as 2.5-point road underdogs. The Under 142 cashed as the Peacocks grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, converting them into 11 second-chance points. G Niels Lane led Delaware with 20 points, adding 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 assist and 1 steal in a solid performance.
St. John’s extended their winning streak to 5 games Dec. 20, edging Providence 72-70. They didn’t cover as 5.5-point road favorites, and the 142-point total pushed. Four Red Storm starters reached double figures, with F Zuby Ejiofor leading the team with 19 points and 10 rebounds. St. John’s defense was key, forcing 17 turnovers, which resulted in 19 points off those turnovers.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
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Delaware at St. John’s odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds. Lines last updated at 10:40 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board
- Against the spread (ATS): Delaware +25.5 (-115) | St. John’s -25.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 158.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Delaware at St. John’s picks and predictions
Prediction
St. John’s 92, Delaware 62
Moneyline
PASS.
You obviously can’t bet the moneyline because they are not offering a line. You wouldn’t want to bet whatever crazy line they offered anyway. Take your wager to the spread in this one.
Against the spread
BET ST. JOHN’S -25.5 (-105).
St. John’s brings an explosive offense, averaging 84 points per game (PPG), and it has been even more dominant at home with an 8-0 record, covering the last 3 games at Carnesecca Arena. In its most recent home game, the Johnnies defeated an improved DePaul Blue Demons squad by 28 points, holding them to 61 points, while they average 79.8 PPG.
Meanwhile, the Blue Hens have struggled on the road, losing their last 2 games against St. Peter’s and the Duquesne Dukes, averaging only 65 points in those matchups. Neither of those teams would be considered good, with a combined 10-13 record.
The talent disparity between St. John’s and Delaware is clear, but the question remains: can the Red Storm cover such a large spread? After covering a 20 plus point spread against Bryant, I expect St. John’s to do the same again Saturday evening in Queens.
Over/Under
PASS.
I lean toward the Under, but I’m not confident enough to officially back it.
Delaware is 2-2 in their last 4 games against the Under, while St. John’s is 3-2-1 in their last 6. In the Red Storm’s last game with a 20 plus point spread, the total went Over, but Bryant, averaging 82.3 PPG, scored 77 points. Delaware averages 78.2 PPG, but I don’t expect them to reach that against St. John’s, who allows just 67.7 PPG. The Blue Hens and their opponents have combined for over 158.5 points in just 3 of 8 games this season.
I like the Under but am not confident enough to bet on it.
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