NCAAB Odds & Game Analysis: St. John’s vs. Villanova

Written by on February 7, 2018

With the college basketball regular season now in its final weeks, we have finally found some level of stability at the top of the national rankings. While the top teams routinely lost in the earlier part of the season, the Villanova Wildcats have remained strong, holding onto the #1 spot, dominating the NCAAB odds week after week. There are a few teams that are waiting to pounce if the Wildcats slip up but given how well they have been playing in recent weeks, the chances of that happening appearing to be getting slimmer with each passing game. A few days ago, we would have looked at their game against the St. John’s Red Storm as a definite win, but that was a mistake that most of us probably made when the Red Storm went head to head with the Duke Blue Devils in their last game, and we all know how that one turned out. Can Villanova continue to roll, or will the Red Storm deliver another stunning upset at the College Basketball betting lines?

Red Storm vs. Wildcats NCAAB Odds & Game Analysis

  • When: Wednesday, February 7, 7 PM EST
  • Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
  • TV: CBSSN
  • Radio: 970 AM (St. John’s) / 950 AM (Villanova)
  • Streaming Option: CBSSN Live
  • NCAAB Odds: Villanova Wildcats -16 (Over/Under at 151 points)

Team Records

  • All: St. John’s Red Storm 11-13 / Villanova Wildcats 22-1
  • Home: St. John’s Red Storm 8-7 / Villanova Wildcats 13-0
  • Away: St. John’s Red Storm 3-6 / Villanova Wildcats 9-1
  • ATS: St. John’s Red Storm 10-12 / Villanova Wildcats 15-7-1
  • Over/Under: St. John’s Red Storm 8-13 / Villanova Wildcats 15-8

2018 COLLEGE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS TO WIN

Recent Head to Head (Last 10 Games)

  • Record: Villanova Wildcats lead 10-0
  • Score: St. John’s Red Storm 65.10 / Villanova Wildcats 81.50
  • Field Goal Percentage: St. John’s Red Storm 40.95 / Villanova Wildcats 47.42
  • Rebounds: St. John’s Red Storm 28.30 / Villanova Wildcats 40.60
  • 3 Point Shots: St. John’s Red Storm 62-189 / Villanova Wildcats 90-239
  • Steals: St. John’s Red Storm 6.80 / Villanova Wildcats 6.70

Why consider the Red Storm NCAAB Odds?

There have been a lot of surprise results this college football season, but it’s fair to say that they all pale in comparison to the St. John’s Red Storm 81-77 victory over the Duke Blue Devils over the weekend. St. John’s will have had little time to celebrate that upset win, as they are heading right back into Big East play, where they have recorded a 0-11 record to this point. While you may look at a winless team and automatically think of them as being poor, the reality is that the Red Storm have not been as bad as their record would suggest. During their 11-game losing run, they faced 4 ranked opponents, and while they lost them all, they did so by an average of less than 6 PPG. Any team thinking that they are going to have an easy time against St. John’s had better think again, as this is a competitive bunch. The Red Storm are 10-12 ATS and 8-14 O/U this season.

Team Statistics

Offense 
  • Total Score: 72.62
  • Field Goal Percentage: 42.25
  • Three-Point Percentage: 32.06
  • Free Throw Percentage: 73.46
  • Total Rebounds: 34.21
Defense
  • Total Score: 71.17
  • Field Goal Percentage: 41.58
  • Three-Point Percentage: 37.80
  • Free Throw Percentage: 71.94
  • Total Rebounds: 40.00

Why consider the Wildcats NCAAB Odds?

Getting to or near the #1 spot this season has proven to be the kiss of death for many of the top teams in college basketball, as getting there has frequently been followed by an unexpected loss. While Villanova did take a tough loss on the road to Butler earlier in the season, it has been the only slip-up on what has been a very good season. They are now on a 9-game win streak after taking that loss, and they are getting wins by playing an explosive style of offensive basketball, averaging more than 88 PPG, good for 3rd best in the nation. Once again, Villanova is huge favorite at the NCAAB Odds. This will be the second time that these two teams have hooked up this season, and it was the Wildcats who took the first one, winning 78-71 on the road. Given what went down with Duke a few days back, expect Villanova to be ready for the Red Storm. The Wildcats are 16-7 ATS and 15-8 O/U this season.

Team Statistics

Offense 
  • Total Score: 88.43
  • Field Goal Percentage: 51.03
  • Three-Point Percentage: 41.81
  • Free Throw Percentage: 75.53
  • Total Rebounds: 35.43
Defense
  • Total Score: 69.78
  • Field Goal Percentage: 43.50
  • Three-Point Percentage: 32.99
  • Free Throw Percentage: 71.89
  • Total Rebounds: 32.65

Latest Betting Trends for NCAAB

  • Red Storm are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games
  • Red Storm are 1-11 SU in their last 12 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 6 of St. John’s last 8 games on the road
  • Wildcats are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games
  • Wildcats are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 4 of Villanova’s last 5 games

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

If you are coming into this game hoping to see another upset win, I think you may end up disappointed. I think this is one that Villanova will win comfortably. Score: St. John’s Red Storm 67 – Villanova Wildcats 87