Butler vs. St. Johns Prediction and Odds (Red Storm to Keep Raining Buckets)

It won't be at the Mecca of basketball this afternoon, but Carnesecca Arena in Queens, NY will kick off Friday's college basketball action when the St. John's Red Storm host the Butler Bulldogs in Big East play.

St. John's needed a win in the worst way, and got a big upset win on the road at Xavier Wednesday night. Julian Champagnie dropped 27 points as the Red Storm shot 54% from the floor.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are starting to gain some confidence on the offensive side of the ball, dropping 85 and 73 points in wins over Marquette and DePaul in their last two games.

Can Butler win three in a row for the first time since mid-December? Or will St. John's build off their big road win to climb back into contention.

Here are the latest odds over at WynnBET Sportsbook:

Butler vs. St. John's Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

• Butler +8 (-110)
• St. John's -8 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Butler +310
• St. John's -400

Total:

• 141.5 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)

Butler vs. St. John's Prediction and Pick

The line has already moved slightly in Friday afternoon's opener, ticking up from 141 and it wouldn't surprise me if it continues to climb as the day goes on.

St. John's makes no secret about how they like to play up-tempo basketball. They rank fourth in the nation in adjusted tempo and second in average possession length at just 14.7 seconds. Are they the most efficient offense? No, and that can get them into trouble against teams that don't prefer to push the pace. Case and point? Their 63-60 loss on Sunday to Connecticut; their lowest point total since January 22nd.

Butler, however, has the look of a team like Connecticut or Seton Hall, two teams that held St. John's to their lowest point total in Big East play. They rank near the bottom of college basketball in average possession length, and have a top 100 defense.

However, the last two games they've been extremely efficient on the offense side of the ball. Against Marquette, the Bulldogs shot a season high 28 three pointers, making 13 of them for just under 47% in an 85-79 win. Against DePaul, they were extremely efficient inside, shooting 20-31 from inside the line, adjusting well when the threes weren't falling and looking to get inside looks.

Both these teams are going to want to be in rhythm offensively because that's what's working well for them, and I see more offensive production coming today.

The last time these two teams played, Butler lost by just three in a 75-72 loss in Indianapolis. While I expect another somewhat close battle, I feel more comfortable backing the over as both teams look to embrace their recently found confidence on offense.

LEAN: OVER 141.5

Follow all of Ben Heisler's betting picks in real-time HERE!