Kansas vs. St. John's Prediction and Odds: Kansas Frontcourt has Edge

Kansas was handed their first loss of the year during Feast Week in a stunning loss to Dayton, but are still amongst the nation's elite, ranked No. 5 by KenPom.

They will travel to Elmont, New York to the brand new UBS Arena to face the local St. John's in a semi neutral site game.

The Red Storm lost a heart breaker at Indiana, but have a stud forward in Julian Champagnie who will look to send this team to their NCAA Tournament since 2019.

Let's breakdown this Friday night matchup with odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

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

Spread:

• St. John's: +6.5 (-110)
• Kansas: -6.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

• St. John's: N/A
• Kansas: N/A

Total: 157 (Over -110/Under -110)

Kansas vs. St. John's Prediction and Pick

St. John's wants to run. The team is sixth in average possession length on offense and is turning opponents at a top 20 rate this season. However, Kansas is 17th in turnover rate, so it may be difficult for the likes of Posh Alexander to swipe the ball from the Jayhawks ball handlers.

Further, KU should dominate on the glass. The team is 60th in offensive rebounding rate and should generate plenty of second chances against a Red Storm team that is 260th in opponent's offensive rebounding rate.

I don't believe that the Johnnies have an answer for David McCormack and the Jayhawks frontcourt, and KU is the right side. At -6.5, that's a bit too rich for my blood in a game I make Kansas -5.5.

I'm going to wait and look for a Kansas live line or second half play, but I believe Bill Self's club gets the job done on Friday night.

LEAN: Kansas -6.5