The No. 16 Arizona State Sun Devils (7-0) go head-to-head against the St. John’s Red Storm (8-1) at Staples Center. The game will air on Pac-12 Network at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 8, 2017.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 159.5 points with Arizona State set as a 4.5-point favorite.
St. John’s Red Storm vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Betting Prediction
The Red Storm come in on a high note after beating the Grand Canyon Antelopes in their last game, 68-60. The Red Storm knocked down 20 of their 27 free throws (74.1 percent) and held the Antelopes to an effective field goal percentage of 0.364 (below their season average of 0.500). With 28 points on 10-for-21 shooting, Shamorie Ponds was the game’s high scorer.
The last time the Sun Devils played, they easily got past the San Francisco Dons, 75-57. The Sun Devils had a ridiculous free throw rate of 0.500 (above their season average of 0.386) and held the Dons to an effective field goal percentage of 0.373 (below their season average of 0.479). Romello White led Arizona State in scoring with 16 points on 4-for-5 shooting.
Ball security could play a key role in this battle. Dating back to the 2016-17 season, Arizona State has committed the fifth-fewest miscues in the nation (turnover percentage of 14.7 percent), while the disruptive defense of St. John’s has forced the 31st-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 22.4 percent).
St. John’s comes into the contest with records of 8-1 straight up (SU) and 4-3 against the spread (ATS). Red Storm games tend to finish under the total (60.0 percent).
Meanwhile, Arizona State owns records of 7-0 SU and 6-0-1 ATS. Unlike St. John’s, Sun Devils games tend to go over the total (85.7 percent).
St. John’s Red Storm vs. Arizona State Sun Devils ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Arizona State, ATS Winner – Arizona State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
St. John’s averages 22.9 three pointers per game, which ranks 104th in the NCAA. Arizona State ranks 292nd in three pointers allowed per game (25.6).
The Red Storm rank sixth in blocks per game (6.0) while the Sun Devils rank 176th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
St. John’s ranks 175th in assists per game (13.4) while Arizona State ranks 304th in assists allowed per game (18.3).
The Red Storm rank 44th in steals per game (7.5) while the Sun Devils rank 158th (6.1).
St. John’s ranks 197th in rebounds per game (35.2) while Arizona State ranks 280th in rebounds allowed per game (38.5).