St. John’s vs UConn Odds, Lines, and Spread (Jan. 12)

• UConn is an 11.5-point favorite over St. John’s on Wednesday (Jan. 12th) at 8:30 pm ET in Big East play
• Both programs rank top-18 in the nation in points per game
• Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction

If you like fast paced, high scoring basketball then you won’t want to miss Wednesday’s Big East tilt between St. John’s and UConn.

The conference foes boast two of the more potent offenses in the country, something that wasn’t lost on oddsmakers.

St. John’s vs UConn Odds

Odds as of Jan. 11th at FanDuel.

The Huskies opened up as 11.5-point favorites, in a game that features a hefty 150.5-point total. Tip-off is set for 8:30 pm ET, with FS1 providing the broadcast coverage.

St. John’s Red Storm Betting Analysis

The Red Storm (9-4, 1-1 Big East) enter play fresh off an 83-73 loss to #23 Providence, in what was just their second contest since December 18th. They had four games postponed thanks to a COVID outbreak within their program, and have posted a 1-1 record since returning to action.

A look back at our @BIGEASTMBB opener 💯 pic.twitter.com/fGhcd3BMoM

— St. John's Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) January 6, 2022

Dylan Addae-Wusu led St. John’s with 20 points against the Friars, while leading scorer Julian Champagnie had 11. The Red Storm shot a disappointing 41.1% from the field, including a dismal 5-for-22 from beyond the arc. They dominated on the offensive glass, pulling down 17 offensive rebounds, but were atrocious from the line, converting only 47.1% of their 17 free throws.

Defensively, they allowed Providence to shoot 51% from the field, but stayed in the game by forcing 18 turnovers.

DENIED 🚫🚫

@_AaronWheeler_ meets Minaya at the rim for @StJohnsBBall pic.twitter.com/F7z26Fuj1Y

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 8, 2022

Offense is St. John’s bread and butter. They average 82.4 points per game, which ranks 11th in the nation. They have an impressive 53.4% effective field goal percentage, while ranking second in assists per game, and 62nd in offensive rebounds.

They need to score so frequently due to an underwhelming defense. The Red Storm rank 253rd in scoring defense, and are 245th at the defending the three-point line. The one bright spot defensively has been their ability to generate turnovers. They force 17.8 per outing, which is the 12th highest mark in the country.

UConn Huskies Betting Analysis

Like St. John’s, the Huskies (10-4, 1-2 Big East) are also fresh off a COVID pause. They had two games postponed after Christmas due to nine positive player tests, and returned to action last Saturday versus #20 Seton Hall.

A battle until the end. #ThisIsUConn | #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/7VeFr4d4Ro

— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) January 8, 2022

UConn fell 90-87 in overtime to the Pirates, despite a fantastic shooting performance. They drained 47% of their looks from the field, and 61% of their triples. They finished plus-8 in the assist department, and plus-15 on the glass, but got to the free throw line half as frequently as Seton Hall.

Rj with the dime👀…. Adama with the hammer🔨 #ThisIsUConn | #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/Gj6Fd0HUWU

— UConn Men's Basketball (@UConnMBB) January 8, 2022

Defensively, the Huskies yielded a 54.2% field goal percentage, which is uncommon for this group. They rank 53rd in scoring defense, and 21st in opponent effective field goal percentage.

Similar to the Red Storm, UConn is an elite scoring team. They rank 18th in points per game, but get there not on efficiency, but pure volume. They rank 154th in effective field goal percentage, but get off the 26th most shot attempts in the nation. A big reason for that is their offensive rebounding. They rank second in all of college hops on the offensive glass, giving themselves plenty of second chance opportunities.

St. John’s vs UConn Pick

It should come as no surprise that the over has been a profitable wager in both program’s games so far. Six of UConn’s past eight contests have flown over the total, while the over is 9-4 in St. John’s outings. The Red Storm love to push the pace, and try to speed up the game no matter who their opponent is.

That's how you start the half!

42-35 #SJUBB pic.twitter.com/HiLlDaUvMu

— St. John's Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) January 8, 2022

They rank fourth in adjusted tempo per KenPom, second in average possession length, and 45th in opponent average possession length.

ATS wise, St. John’s has been miserable against the number. They’ve failed to cover in nine of their past 10 contests. The Huskies on the other hand, are 3-1 ATS in their past four contests.

Pick: Over 150.5 (-110)