In Friday’s shortened nine-game college basketball slate, the schedule features one top-25 matchup between the No. 3 UConn Huskies (22-1) and No. 22 St. John’s Red Storm (17-5).
The Red Storm are 10-1 in Big East play and could draw closer to the Huskies’ 12-0 record in the conference standings. Head-to-head matchups between the two conference leaders could decide the Big East champion, adding weight to Friday’s meeting at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
Let’ break down PrizePicks' UConn vs. St. John’s prediction, spread, and college basketball picks.
{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
UConn vs. St. John’s Prediction, Spread, College Basketball Picks
UConn is red-hot on a 18-game winning streak, and St. John’s has found momentum in conference play by winning eight straight. According to PrizePicks TeamPicks, the Huskies are the favorite to win the Big East (1.07x), while the Red Storm feature the second-shortest payout (4.54x).
Connecticut is 6-4 over the last 10 matchups, but St. John’s won both of last season’s clashes and is 8-2 against the spread (ATS) in the past 10 collisions.
Despite the Huskies’ hot streak, they are just 3-7 ATS in the last 10 games. The Red Storm are on the opposite end of the spectrum with a 7-3 ATS mark in the same split. The over is 5-2 over the last seven games for both teams.
UConn vs. St. John’s Over/Under, Spread
The Huskies are 7-0 on the road while the Red Storm are 10-2 at home, likely leading to UConn being favored by 1.5 points on Friday. Despite the over trend, the total sits at only 144.5.
- Spread: UConn Huskies -1.5
- Over/Under: 144.5
- Gamer Winner Payout: UConn 1.56x | St. John’s 2.27x
Team picks data is live as of publishing and is subject to change.
UConn vs. St. John’s Prediction for Total
A few factors are keeping tonight’s total low at 144.5, beginning with UConn ranking 304th in adjusted tempo, per Bart Torvik. Plus, both teams feature low 3-point volume, with the Huskies shooting 22.8 triples per game (50th percentile) compared to the Red Storm’s 21.5 (36th percentile).
According to Torvik, Connecticut sports a 9.6% dunk shot distribution (82nd percentile). St. John’s has a mediocre interior defense, ceding a 6.5% dunk shot distribution (52nd percentile) and a 42.7% close twos shot distribution (19th percentile).
On the other side of the court, the Huskies allow a 40.4% close twos shot distribution (36th percentile). The Red Storm are equipped to expose this weakness with a 45.2% close twos shot distribution (91st).
Furthermore, UConn averages 79.6 (PPG) points per game (77th percentile) and has posted 81.0 PPG over the last 10 games. St. John’s racks up 84.6 PPG (93rd percentile) and has remained around that total with 83.1 PPG over its previous 10 matchups.
The total could boil down to the Huskies’ snail-like pace, but the Red Storm bring a contrast in style by ranking 62nd in adjusted tempo. Connecticut posts a healthy 59.4 shots per game (64th percentile) and gives up only 54.4 field goal attempts per contest (92nd percentile).
St. John’s, meanwhile, records 62.2 shots (90th percentile), and its elite 35.6% offensive rebounding rate (95th percentile) could lead to more shots against the stingy Husky defense.
If the Red Storm are getting enough shots — which is elevated from their offensive rebounding — the over trend could continue on Friday night.
UConn vs. St. John’s Picks for PrizePicks: Friday, February 6
Interior scorers could be the theme for player projection on PrizePicks. UConn G Silas Demary and St. John’s F Zuby Ejiofor are potential targets.
UConn G Silas Demary vs. St. John’s Projection: 10.5 Points
- The Red Storm’s backcourt is full of mediocre defenders, as St. John’s G Joson Sanon (0.58), G Oziyah Sellers (1.21), and Ian Jackson (1.42) have the three lowest Defensive Bayesian Performance Ratings (DBPR) in the rotation, via EvanMiya.
- Demary is quietly one of the nation’s most efficient players, ranked seventh in EvanMiya’s BPR.
- The Georgia transfer takes most of his shots around the rim, attempting 5.1 2-point looks per game compared to 2.2 attempted triples per contest. He carries a solid matchup against St. John’s close twos shot distribution allowed (19th percentile).
- The 6’4” guard has averaged 13.8 PPG over the last five games and reached 15 points in three consecutive appearances.
St. John’s F Zuby Ejiofor vs. UConn Projection: 15 Points
- Ejiofor could take advantage of UConn’s vulnerable interior defense, attempting only 1.5 3-point shots compared to 8.0 2-point attempts per game.
- The senior forward sports trustworthy volume thanks to a team-high 26.5% usage rate.
- He’s averaged 18.0 PPG over his last 10 games, surpassing his season average of 15.7 PPG.
- The Huskies have a 23.5% foul rate (26th percentile), and Ejiofor leads the Red Storm with 7.6 free throw attempts per game.
{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Make UConn vs. St. John’s CBB Picks on PrizePicks
Which Big East squad will gain the upper hand in their first head-to-head matchup of the season? Demary and Ejiofor could feast around the rim, contributing to a potential over.
Make your UConn vs. St. John’s picks at PrizePicks, where you can earn real-money rewards for your predictions if you’re right. Just choose players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and follow the hoops action to see if your picks hit. You can make picks on winners, spreads, and over/unders on Team Picks, now available in 30 states.
Keep tabs on the Playbook for continued College Basketball predictions, picks, and news.
