The No. 15 Villanova Wildcats (17-6, 10-3 Big East) visit the St. John’s Red Storm (13-9, 5-6) Tuesday for an 8:30 p.m. ET tip-off (on FS1). Below, we look at the Villanova vs. St. John’s odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Led by star G Julian Champagnie, who is averages 18.9 points per game (PPG), the Red Storm have covered 4 of their last 5 games. They’re just 6-5 against the spread (ATS) in conference play though.
The Red Storm struggle defensively, allowing 74.3 PPG, but they rank 21st in the nation in offensive points per game at 79.7. They scored just 62 the last time these two teams met (Jan. 29), but covered as 13.5-point underdogs in an 11-point road loss.
The Wildcats are 13-10 ATS on the season. They’re 6-4 ATS in their last 10, failing to cover 3 of the last 4 as double-digit favorites. Villanova is led by G Collin Gillespie, who is averaging 17.2 points per game. The Wildcats’ strength comes in their 23rd-ranked defense, which allows just 61.7 PPG.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Villanova 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 2:39 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Villanova -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | St. John’s +155 (bet $100 to win $155)
- Against the spread: Villanova +3.5 (-120) | St. John’s -3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 142.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Villanova at St. John’s odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Villanova 72, St. John’s 69
Money line
PASS.
I like St. John’s to keep this competitive and cover the spread, but I’m not sold on the Red Storm to win this Big East showdown, primarily because their 10-4 home record.
Villanova at -190 on the road is unplayable. The Wildcats are just 5-4 on the road in a non-neutral environment.
Against the spread
LEAN to ST. JOHN’S +3.5 (-105).
It is not easy to win on the road, let alone cover a 3.5-point spread.
The Wildcats have learned that as they’ve been the worst ATS road team in the conference. They are just 3-6 ATS in road games this season and 2-4 ATS as road favorites.
St. John’s is riding a 2-game winning streak, both on the road against Big East opponents. In the last battle between these two, ‘Nova shot 47.8% (11-for-23) from deep compared to St. John’s 19% (4-for-21).
Assuming we see the Red Storm improve to their mean, we should see a close battle which is respective to most Big East conference games.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 142.5 (-112).
While Villanova’s defense is solid, it’s been more its pace that allows for fewer points. Villanova ranks 342nd in possessions per game. St. John’s ranks 5th.
Gillespie, who is in his fifth season with the Wildcats (thanks to the exempted COVID-19 season), understands how to play the game and typically slows the pace. That’s one reason the Wildcats are 11-12 O/U.
Both teams have had the Under hit in 5 of their last 10 outings.
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