St. John’s vs Villanova Prediction 1/17/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The St. John’s Red Storm and Villanova Wildcats meet Saturday in the college basketball action at the Xfinity Mobile Arena. Here’s a St. John’s vs Villanova Prediction. This article will include a St. John’s vs Villanova Pick.

St. John’s Red Storm Betting Preview

The St. John’s Red Storm beat Creighton and Marquette, and they play Seton Hall next. St. John’s has won 5 of its last 6 games.

The St. John’s Red Storm are averaging 86 points on 46.6 percent shooting and allowing 72.4 points on 42.3 percent shooting. Zuby Ejiofor is averaging 16.2 points and 7.5 rebounds, while Bryce Hopkins is averaging 13.2 points and 2.4 assists. Oziyah Sellers is the third double-digit scorer and Ian Jackson is dishing 1.2 assists. The St. John’s Red Storm are shooting 35.8 percent from beyond the arc and 74.1 percent from the free throw line. The St. John’s Red Storm are allowing 31.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 35.1 rebounds per game.

Villanova Wildcats Betting Preview

The Villanova Wildcats beat Marquette and Providence, and they play Georgetown next. Villanova has won 7 of its last 8 games.

The Villanova Wildcats are averaging 78.6 points on 47 percent shooting and allowing 68.7 points on 44.3 percent shooting. Bryce Lindsay is averaging 15.2 points and 2.6 rebounds, while Acaden Lewis is averaging 12.6 points and 3.5 rebounds. Duke Brennan is the third double-digit scorer and Tyler Perkins is dishing 1.7 assists. The Villanova Wildcats are shooting 36.1 percent from beyond the arc and 70.3 percent from the free throw line. The Villanova Wildcats are allowing 35 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.9 rebounds per game.

Why the Villanova Wildcats will win

• Villanova has won 16 of its last 17 night games at Xfinity Mobile Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the St. John’s Red Storm will win

• St. John’s has won each of its last 13 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Villanova has lost each of its last five Saturday night games against the Big East Conference.
• Villanova has lost the first half in each of its last five Saturday night games against Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Villanova’s last 13 games against the Big East Conference Conference at Xfinity Mobile Arena have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.
• Each of St. John’s’ last four road games against the Big East Conference have produced a total of 154+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Villanova ranks 15th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (67.2%).
• Villanova ranks T18th among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (2.4).
• St. John’s ranks 16th among Division 1 teams for blocks per game this season (5.4).
• St. John’s ranks 22nd among Division 1 teams for opponent assist to turnover ratio this season (0.77).

St. John’s vs Villanova Prediction

St. John’s is still winning games, is solid offensively and has three road wins this season. However, this isn’t the same St. John’s team from a year ago, so I’m not just blindly laying numbers. Also, Villanova keeps getting disrespected in the betting market with these soft lines and underdog spots. We saw it in its last effort against Providence. Villanova isn’t a star-studded team from past years, but this is a fundamentally sound squad that defends, scores timely buckets and is 11-6 ATS on the season. Villanova can win this game outright. Give me the bucket.

Randy Chambers's Pick: Villanova +2.5