The St. John’s Red Storm and Kansas Jayhawks meet Sunday in the college basketball NCAA Tournament at the Viejas Arena. Here’s a Kansas vs. St. John’s Prediction. This article will include a Kansas vs. St. John’s Pick.
St. John’s Red Storm Betting Preview
The St. John’s Red Storm beat Northern Iowa and UConn. St. John’s has won 7 straight games.
The St. John’s Red Storm are averaging 81.6 points on 45.4 percent shooting and allowing 70 points on 42.1 percent shooting. Zuby Ejiofor is averaging 16.3 points and 7.3 rebounds, while Bryce Hopkins is averaging 13.5 points and 1.9 assists. Oziyah Sellers is the third double-digit scorer, and Ian Jackson is dishing 1.3 assists. The St. John’s Red Storm are shooting 33.2 percent from beyond the arc and 72.7 percent from the free throw line. The St. John’s Red Storm are allowing 31.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.7 rebounds per game.
Kansas Jayhawks Betting Preview
The Kansas Jayhawks lost to Houston and beat Cal Baptist. Kansas has split its last 10 games.
The Kansas Jayhawks are averaging 75.7 points on 45.3 percent shooting and allowing 69.4 points on 38.8 percent shooting. Darryn Peterson is averaging 20.1 points and 4.2 rebounds, while Tre White is averaging 13.8 points and 6.7 rebounds. Flory Bidunga is the third double-digit scorer and Melvin Council Jr. is dishing 5.1 assists. The Kansas Jayhawks are shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc and 76.7 percent from the free throw line. The Kansas Jayhawks are allowing 30.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 35.9 rebounds per game.
Why the Kansas Jayhawks will win
- Kansas has won each of its last seven day games against non-Conference opponents.
- St. John’s has lost each of its last five games against AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
- Kansas has won the first half in six of its last seven day games against non-Conference opponents.
Why the St. John’s Red Storm will win
- St. John’s has won 20 of its last 21 games.
- Kansas has lost each of its last six March games as an AP-ranked team against an AP-ranked team.
- St. John’s has won the first half in each of its last 10 games against non-Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of St. John’s last seven day games against AP-ranked opponents has produced a total of 146+ points.
- Each of Kansas’ last six games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue has produced a total of 144 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Kansas ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal percentage this season (38.7%).
- Kansas ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for blocks per game this season (5.9).
- St. John’s ranks T11th among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game this season (26.2).
- St. John’s ranks T16th among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game this season (19.0).
Kansas vs St. John’s Prediction
Kansas is probably the more talented team and that makes this an attractive option as an underdog. The problem is Kansas has been inconsistent all season and you never know which team is going to show up. Also, St. John’s has been fantastic defensively as of late, allowing fewer than 70 points in 7 of its last 9 games and covering 7 of those games as well. We’ve seen Kansas get stuck in the mud at times and rely heavily on Peterson to bail them out.
This feels like a game where St. John’s can frustrate Kansas, set the tone physically, grind out a win and cover the reasonable number. I just don’t know which Kansas team I’m getting nightly. I’ll lay the points with St. John’s.