Creighton (18-7) at St. John’s (21-4)
- When: Feb 16 2025, 3:00 PM
- Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, USA
- Where to watch: Fox Sports 1
Game Preview
Spread: St. John’s -6.5 | Total: 142.0
Two of the Big East’s top teams collide at Madison Square Garden on Sunday as No. 9 St. John’s hosts No. 24 Creighton in a game with major conference implications. Both squads are looking to rebound after suffering setbacks earlier in the week, and with a tight race for the Big East title, every possession will matter.
St. John’s Outlook: Can the Red Storm Regain Defensive Dominance?
The Red Storm (21-4, 12-2 Big East) enter this contest atop the conference standings but need a response after their 10-game winning streak was snapped by Villanova in a 73-71 road loss. Defense has been their calling card all season, ranking second nationally per KenPom, but Villanova exposed some cracks by shooting over 53% from the floor and nearly 46% from beyond the arc.
A major concern for St. John’s is the absence of Deivon Smith, who remains out indefinitely with a neck injury. Smith’s absence weakens their backcourt depth, making it crucial for RJ Luis Jr. (17.4 PPG) and Kadary Richmond (12.3 PPG, 5.2 APG) to step up. Meanwhile, Zuby Ejiofor (13.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG) will be tasked with controlling the paint and winning the rebounding battle.
Expect head coach Rick Pitino to have his team locked in defensively at home. If they can force turnovers and capitalize in transition, St. John’s will be in a strong position to not only win but cover the spread.
Betting Props for St. John’s:
St. John’s Team Total Over 73.5 Points
Zuby Ejiofor Over 9.5 Rebounds
St. John’s -3.5 First Half Spread
Creighton’s Path to an Upset: Can the Bluejays Shoot Their Way to a Win?
Creighton (18-7, 11-3 Big East) had its nine-game winning streak halted by UConn in a frustrating 70-66 home loss. The Bluejays built a 14-point lead late in the first half, but defensive lapses allowed UConn to go on a massive 37-15 run and take control.
The offense revolves around Ryan Kalkbrenner (19.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG), who will need to battle inside against Ejiofor, while Steven Ashworth (16.7 PPG, 6.8 APG) runs the show from the perimeter. Creighton has been elite at defending the three-point line, which could limit one of St. John’s weaknesses—outside shooting. However, their challenge will be matching the Red Storm’s physicality on the boards.
Creighton won the first meeting on Dec. 31 in a narrow 57-56 home victory, but that was a game where St. John’s had a massive rebounding edge (41-30). If the Bluejays can keep it closer on the glass and knock down shots from deep, they’ll have a shot at an upset.
Betting Props for Creighton:
Ryan Kalkbrenner Over 18.5 Points
Creighton Team Total Under 67.5 Points
Total Three-Pointers Over 14.5 Combined
Final Prediction & Best Bets:
With both teams coming off losses, expect a highly competitive battle. St. John’s is at home, where their defense has been suffocating, and their rebounding should be the deciding factor. Creighton will have its moments, but in the end, the Red Storm should take control late and secure the cover.
Best Bet: St. John’s -6.5
Bonus Bet: Under 142.0
Projected Final Score: St. John’s 75, Creighton 65
- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
