St. John’s vs Providence Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/20/24

In this article, we will formulate a St. John’s vs Providence prediction for this College Basketball game on Friday, December 20th at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

St. John’s Red Storm Betting Preview

The St. John’s Red Storm are 9-2 (1-0) this year after they defeated DePaul by a score of 89-61 in their last game. St. John’s led 40-29 at halftime and scored 49 points in the second half in the blowout win. The Red Storm shot 55.2% from the field, 30% on three-pointers, and 57.1% on free throws in the game. RJ Luis Jr. led St. John’s with 19 points and five rebounds in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Red Storm won three games in a row against Bryant, Kansas State, and Harvard. St. John’s has scored 84.8 points per game and they have allowed 67.5 points per game, while also averaging 42.3 rebounds and 17 assists per game this season. RJ Luis Jr. is averaging 17.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, while St. John’s is shooting 48.1% from the field, 70% on free throws, and 32.8% on three-pointers this year. St. John’s will face Delaware following this one.

Providence Friars Betting Preview

The Providence Friars are 7-5 (1-0) this season after they lost to St. Bonaventure by a score of 74-70 in their last game. Providence trailed 35-26 at halftime, but they did score 44 points in the second half in the loss. The Friars shot 35.7% from the field, 31.3% on three-pointers, and 83.3% on free throws in the game. Wesley Cardet Jr. led Providence with 13 points and three rebounds in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Friars defeated DePaul by a score of 70-63 but did lose to Rhode Island by a score of 69-63 before that. Providence has scored 70.5 points per game and they have allowed 64.6 points per game, while also averaging 39.8 rebounds and 12.9 assists per game this season. Bryce Hopkins (questionable) is averaging 17.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, while Providence is shooting 43% from the field, 67.8% on free throws, and 33.6% on three-pointers this year. 

Why St. John’s will beat Providence

• St. John’s has won 14 of its last 15 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Providence has lost seven of its last eight Friday night games.
• Providence has lost the first half in each of its la st seven Friday night games against the Big East Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Eight of the last nine games between St. John’s and Providence have produced a total of 147+ points.
• Seven of St. John’s’ last eight games against the Big East Conference have produced a total of 146+ points.

St. John’s vs Providence Prediction 

St. John’s comes into this game looking for their fifth win in a row and they have scored 88+ points in their last three games. The Red Storm are shooting over 48% from the field and they are scoring nearly 85 points per game this year. Providence has alternated wins and losses over their last five games and they have lost five of their last seven. The Friars are shooting just 43% from the field, but they do play pretty well on the defensive end of the court. I don’t have much faith in this Providence team and with Hopkins’ status up in the air, I have to go with St. John’s on the road. 

David Racey's Pick: St. John's -6.5