It will be a battle between Big East opponents when the St. John’s Red Storm (10-2) welcome the Providence Friars (9-4) to Carnesecca Arena. The game begins at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 28, 2017.
St. John’s opened as a 6-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 142 points.
Providence Friars at St. John’s Red Storm Free Prediction
The last time the Friars played, they defeated the Sacred Heart Pioneers, 89-75. The Friars had a much better free throw rate (0.239 vs. 0.138) and had a turnover percentage of 10.3 (better than their season average of 17.6). With 31 points on 12-for-24 shooting, Rodney Bullock was the top scorer from either team.
The Red Storm defeated the Saint Joseph’s Hawks in their last matchup, 77-73. The Red Storm had a great free throw rate of 0.310 (above their season average of 0.257), while the Hawks had a turnover percentage of 20.3 (above their season average of 10.6). Shamorie Ponds was the top scorer from either team with 28 points on 9-for-15 shooting.
When considering effective field goal percentage, St. John’s figures to have a substantial edge. The Red Storm defense ranks 18th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.440), while the Providence offense is ranked 138th in effective field goal percentage (0.526).
Providence has a solid 9-4 straight up (SU) record, but they struggle covering the spread (2-9 against the spread (ATS)). Of the Friars’ 11 games that accepted bets, eight have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, St. John’s is 10-2 SU and 4-5-1 ATS. Contrary to Providence, games involving the Red Storm have typically gone under the projected point total (62.5 percent).
Bullock and Jalen Lindsey have played at a high level over the last five games for Providence. Bullock has averaged 16.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Not to be outdone, Lindsey has put up 8.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals a game during that span.
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent matchup, the Friars won 86-75. Providence had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.561 vs. 0.403). St. John’s, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (13.8 vs. 16.0).
Providence Friars vs. St. John’s Red Storm ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Providence, ATS Winner – Providence, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Providence is 1-4 ATS on the road with 3 overs and 2 unders.
At home, St. John’s is 3-0-1 ATS with 2 unders and 0 overs.
St. John’s averages 9.2 steals per game, which ranks 14th in the nation. Providence ranks 136th in steals allowed per game (7.2).
The Friars average 36.0 rebounds per game, which ranks 137th in the nation. The Red Storm rank 237th in rebounds allowed per game (39.4).
St. John’s ranks 162nd in three pointers attempted per game (21.4) while Providence ranks 241st (17.9).
The Red Storm average 6.7 blocks per game, which ranks fourth in the nation. The Friars rank 81st in blocks allowed per game (3.3).
St. John’s ranks 33rd in assists allowed per game (11.0) while Providence ranks 50th (11.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Providence is 0-4 ATS with 2 overs and 2 unders.
St. John’s is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Friars’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.2, down from 5.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Red Storm have scored an average of 74.8 points per game (0.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 65.8 points per game (3.0 above their season average).
