The St. John’s Red Storm (14-1, 2-1 Big East) travel to Finneran Pavilion to meet the Villanova Wildcats (11-4, 2-0 Big East). The Red Storm will try to continue their 12-game winning streak. Action starts at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.
St. John’s Red Storm at Villanova Wildcats ATS Odds
Both teams thoroughly outplayed their last opponent. The Wildcats defeated the Morgan State Bears 100-77, while the Red Storm beat the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds 76-55.
St. John’s dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a turnover percentage of 20.1 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.500. For those same stats, Loyola Maryland was 29.2 and 0.375, respectively. Villanova, on the other hand, dominated nearly every facet of their game. They had a free throw rate of 0.299 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 44.4. For those same stats, Morgan State put up marks of 0.085 and 25.6, respectively. Villanova rallied around Eric Paschall, who finished with 26 points and seven rebounds. Shamorie Ponds had a solid performance for St. John’s, finishing with 20 points.
This was a highly competitive series last year, as the teams split their two games last season. In the last game, the Red Storm won 79-75. St. John’s did an excellent job of making free throws (19-24; 79.2 percent). Villanova, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (10.0 vs. 13.2). This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.
This has potential to be a mistake-prone game for the offense of Villanova. Villanova ranks 176th in the NCAA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 19.0 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of St. John’s forces the 63rd-most turnovers in the country (22.2 percent). It will also be a showdown of opposite paces as the fast-paced Red Storm rank 56th in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Wildcats rank 324th.
St. John’s Red Storm vs. Villanova Wildcats Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Villanova, ATS Winner – Villanova, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Villanova averages 28.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 18th in the NCAA. St. John’s ranks 200th in three pointers allowed per game (24.8).
- The Red Storm rank 37th in assists per game (16.3) while the Wildcats rank 136th (13.5).
- St. John’s is 20th in the NCAA with 2.3 blocks allowed per game while Villanova is 31st with 2.5 blocks allowed per game.
- The Red Storm rank 11th in steals per game (9.5) while the Wildcats rank 157th (5.7).
- Villanova ranks 43rd in rebounds allowed per game (32.0) while St. John’s ranks 188th (36.9).
Bettings Trends:
- The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.6, up from 8.7 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Red Storm have scored an average of 82.6 points per game (2.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.0 points per game (1.1 above their season average).
