St. John’s vs Seton Hall Prediction 3/6/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Seton Hall Pirates and the St. John’s Red Storm will meet on Friday night in a Big East Conference matchup at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Seton Hall Pirates Betting Preview

The Seton Hall Pirates enter Friday’s contest with a 20–10 overall record, including a 10–9 mark in conference play and an 12-4 record at home. The Pirates have compiled wins over Rutgers, Providence, Fairfield, Wagner and the Washington State Cougars, while dropping games to the USC Trojans and the Villanova Wildcats.

Earlier this season, in the Seton Hall Pirates 72-67 victory over the Providence Friars, Seton Hall guard Tajuan Simpkins amassed 22 points (6 of 9 shooting from the field), 1 rebound and 1 steal.

The Seton Hall Pirates average 70.5 points on 43.8 percent shooting from the field and 31 percent shooting from behind the arc per game. On the defensive side of the basketball the Pirates are allowing opponents just 64.8 points per game which ranks 8th in the country.  

Senior guard AJ Staton-McCray leads the Seton Hall Pirates averaging 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Junior guard Tajuan Simpkins contributes 10.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per contest. Senior forward Stephon Payne adds front court stability averaging 6.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1 steal per game.

St. John’s Red Storm Betting Preview

The St. John’s Red Storm enter Friday’s contest with a 24–6 record, including a 17-2 mark in conference play and an 8–1 record on the road. The Red Storm have compiled wins over DePaul, Iona and Mississippi, while dropping games to Auburn, Iowa State and the Kentucky Wildcats.

The St. John’s Red Storm average 82.2 points (40th in nation) on 45.1 percent shooting from the field and 33.8 percent shooting from three-point range per game. Defensively, the St. John’s Red Storm are allowing opponents 70.7 points per contest.

Senior forward Brady Hopkins leads the St. John’s Red Storm averaging 13.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.1 steals on 44.1 percent shooting from the field per game. Senior forward Zuby Ejiofor contributes 15.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 blocks per contest providing the Red Storm with a quality interior presence. Sophomore guard Ian Jackson provides the Red Storm with further backcourt stability averaging 10.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1 steal per game.

Why the Seton Hall Pirates will win

•            Quality defensive play. The Seton Hall Pirates are allowing opponents just 64.8 points per game which ranks 8th in the country.  

•            Backcourt play. AJ Staton-McCray and Tajuan Simpkins combine for over 24 points per game. Senior forward Stephon Payne adds front court stability averaging 7.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.

•            Home court edge. The Seton Hall Pirates have amassed a 12-4 record at home this season.

Why the St. John’s Red Storm will win

•             Elite conference performance. The St. John’s Red Storm have compiled a 17–2 record in conference play this season.

•             Balanced roster. Ejiofor leads a deep rotation that scores efficiently and rebounds well.

•             Offensive advantage. The St. John’s Red Storm average 82.2 points (40th in nation) on 45.1 percent shooting from the field and 33.8 percent shooting from three-point range per game.

St. John’s Red Storm vs. Seton Hall Pirates Prediction

This matchup features St. John’s explosive offense and elite conference win-loss record against a Seton Hall team that has been outstanding at home and thrives on defense, rebounding, and overall physicality. Seton Hall has the tools to disrupt tempo and make this competitive, but St. John’s efficiency, scoring depth, and overall form give the Red Storm the cleaner path to victory. With that said, I like Seton Hall’s chances of staying inside the number (4.5) here. I am backing the Seton Hall Pirates plus the 4.5 points.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Seton Hall +4.5