Betsided

St. John's vs. Villanova Prediction and Odds for Big East Tournament Quarterfinal (Expect Plenty of Points)

By Ben Heisler

The Villanova Wildcats are a 6.5-point favorite this evening vs. the St. John's Red Storm in the Big East Tournament from Madison Square Garden.
The Villanova Wildcats are a 6.5-point favorite this evening vs. the St. John's Red Storm in the Big East Tournament from Madison Square Garden. / Drew Hallowell/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

After cruising past No. 10 DePaul in their opening round of the 2022 Big East Tournament, No. 7 St. John's tips off this evening against the No. 2 seeded Villanova in the second round from Madison Square Garden.

Despite the second seed, the Wildcats are favorites to cut down the nets in New York, but will have to take on a club that plays many of their home games in this very building.

St John's kept it close the last time these two teams played, falling 75-69 at Nova's home floor. Can they keep it close and possibly upset the Wildcats?

Here are the latest odds over at WynnBET Sportsbook:

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

Spread:

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

Moneyline:

  • St. John's +230
  • Villanova -290

Total:

  • 148 (OVER -115 | UNDER -105)

St. John's vs. Villanova Prediction and Pick

The last time these two teams played, Villanova was outstanding at limiting the Red Storm's opportunities both inside and out. St. John's shot just 35.7% from inside the arc, and 9-33 from behind the 3-point line.

I'm not quite sure if they can do it again, and that's what leads me to the over.

Neither team has played much defense in their last five games. Via CBB Analytics, the Wildcats rank in the 17th percentile in defensive rating (107.7). St. John's has actually been slightly better than the Cats, but also down from their season average; coming in the 29th percentile (105.6).

Offensively, however, Villanova has been lights out both in their current form, as well as throughout the season. They rank in the 98th percentile for offensive rating, true shooting percentage, and 94th percentile in effective field goal percentage. They have the sixth-best KenPom adjusted offensive efficiency in the country and are the top free-throw shooting team in the nation as well; shooting 82.5% all season.

St. John's is going to take a ton of shots and push pace. They're the second-fastest paced team in the country, yet don't seem to turn the ball over. Points will be scored on both sides. Period.

Personally, if I'm Jay Wright, I'm happy to let my team run after St. John's played the night before. While it may suit the Red Storm's style of play more-so than Villanova, the Cats can score with the best of them, and potentially run them out of the gym in the process.

LEAN: OVER 148 (-115)

Follow all of Ben Heisler's betting plays in real-time HERE.

Home/College Basketball Predictions and Picks