College Basketball Predictions: Providence vs. St. John’s 12/28/17

Providence vs. St. John's Pick

Which team will pick up a win in their Big East opener when St. John’s plays host to Providence tonight at 7PM ET?

According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, St. John’s is the favorite in this game, as the Red Storm are getting odds of -6 points against Providence. The over/under total for the game is listed at 141 points. Tonight’s game takes place from Carnesecca Arena in Queens, New York.

Providence has alternated wins and losses in its last six games. The Friars are 9-4 on the season but have struggled at the betting window. Providence is 2-9 against the spread, failing to cover in six straight. The Friars are putting up 75.6 points per game on offense while allowing 70.2 per game. Rodney Bullock is leading the team with 16.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Alpha Diallo and Kyron Cartwright, who combine for nearly 20 points per game, are both questionable to play tonight due to ankle injuries.

St. John’s is coming off a 77-73 win over St. Joe’s for its second straight victory and fifth win in six games. The Red Storm are now 10-2 on the season while posting a 5-5 record against the spread. St. John’s is averaging 74.5 points per game this season while giving up 64.6 per contest. At home, the Red Storm are giving up only 57.2 per game. Shamorie Ponds is averaging 20.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game to lead this season. Marcus LoVett, who averages 14.9 points per game, is questionable to play tonight due to a knee injury.

Bet on Providence vs. St. John’s

Providence has won and covered in four of the last five meetings in this series, but the Friars are short-handed and not playing good basketball for the most part. They have not been able to cover with any consistency and now face a team that has been able to lockdown on defense. The public betting is strongly behind St. John’s tonight and I think the Storm stay tough on defense and grind out the cover.

 

CBB DAILY PREDICTION: ST. JOHN’S -6