Kansas Jayhawks vs. St. John’s Red Storm Picks, Predictions, Odds

Dec. 3, 2021
Dave Schwab
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

USB Arena in Elmont, New York will feature a Big 12 vs. Big East Battle this Friday night between the No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks and the St. John’s Red Storm. Tip-off on FS1 is set for 7 p.m. ET for the first ever college basketball game at the new home of the NHL’s New York Islanders.

Score Prediction

Kansas 87, St. John’s 82

Best Bets

Over 157 (-110) at DraftKings

Kansas Jayhawks vs. St. John's Red Storm Predictions

Kansas lost some ground in the national rankings with a stunning loss to Dayton as a heavy favorite. However, the Jayhawks have proven themselves to be a legitimate contender for a national title this season. Friday night’s matchup should be a good test against a solid team.

The Red Storm will be making history on Friday night in the first college basketball game played at the brand new USB Arena out on Long Island. The added motivation and momentum should be able to keep this game interesting until late in the second half.

The main thing I am looking for in this matchup is a high scoring affair. Kansas gets the slight edge in shooting percentage but St. John’s is the higher scoring team. This combination should be able to take this game OVER the current total line with relative ease.

Kansas Jayhawks vs. St. John's Red Storm Betting Odds

Odds Provided by DraftKings - Subject to Change

  • Kansas -7 (-110)
  • St. John's -7 (-110)
  • Over 157 (-110)
  • Under 157 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

Kansas Jayhawks vs. St. John's Red Storm Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Big 12 vs. Big East
  • Date: Friday, December 3, 2021
  • Venue: UBS Arena
  • Location: Elmont, New York
  • TV-Time: FS1 - 7:00 p.m. ET

Kansas Jayhawks Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 5-1
  • ATS: 2-4
  • O/U: 5-0-1

The Jayhawks started the season with a solid 87-74 victory against Michigan State as 4.5-point favorites. Heavily favored in their next five games, the loss to Dayton has them 5-1 straight-up while going 2-4 against the spread. The important betting trend is the total going OVER in five of those games and ending as a PUSH in the other outing.

Kansas is averaging 83.8 points per game led by a trio of players averaging at least 12 points a game. Guard Ochai Agbaji is at the top of that list with a 22.5-point scoring average while shooting 55.3% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range.

Guard Christian Braun is next on that list with 13.8 PPG. He also leads the team in rebounds with 7.2 a game. As another hot shooter, he has connected on 61.4% of his shots from the field. This trio is rounded out by guard Remy Martin with 12 PPG.

The Jayhawks have been one of the best shooting teams early in the season at 52.1%. This drops to 36.6% from three-point range with a less than stellar 66.1% conversion rate from the free throw line. Kansas is averaging 34.2 rebound a game.

St. John's Red Storm Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 5-1
  • ATS: 3-3
  • O/U: 4-2

St. John’s will be playing its seventh game of the season after going 5-1 SU in its first six matchups. The lone loss came against Indiana in a tight 76-74 setback as a 4.5-point underdog.

As heavy favorites in the other five games, the Red Storm are an even 3-3 ATS after failing to cover in their last three outings. The total has gone OVER in four of their first six games.

With four different players scoring in double figures, St. John’s has been able to average 87.3 points a game. Guard Julian Champagnie has had the hottest hand with 21.3 PPG while shooting 45.7% from the field. He also leads the team in rebounds with 6.8 a game.

Guard Posh Alexander is another big part of the Red Storm offense with 14.6 PPG. He is also one of the team’s best shooters with a 52.1 field goal percentage. He has converted on 35% of his 20 attempts from beyond the three-point line.

St. John’s matches up well against Kansas shooting the ball at 50.7% from the field. The team’s shooting percentage from three-point range stands at 34.0. With 38.5 rebounds a game, you could give the Red Storm the slight edge under the boards.


Kansas has gone OVER the point total in five of its last six games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Kansas Jayhawks

  • Record: 6-1
  • VI Ranking: 18
  • PS/G: 83.8 (18th)
  • PA/G: 68.5 (180th)
  • ORtg: 118.1 (11th)
  • DRtg: 96.5 (181st)

Inside the Stats - St. John's Red Storm

  • Record: 5-1
  • VI Ranking: 47
  • PS/G: 87.3 (8th)
  • PA/G: 69.8 (212th)
  • ORtg: 112.7 (42nd)
  • DRtg: 90.1 (84th)

Key Players to Watch

  • KU: Ochai Agbaji - G (22.5 ppg)
  • KU: Christian Braun - G (13.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg)
  • STJ: Julian Champagnie - G (21.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg)
  • STJ: Posh Alexander - G (14.6 ppg, 6.6 apg)

Kansas Jayhawks vs. St. John's Red Storm Betting Conclusion

It has been more than 20 years since these two teams faced one another and that was the only meeting ever. Kansas is definitely the more flashy team this time around. However, the Red Storm are more than capable of making the Jayhawks work for this win.

In the end, I have Kansas coming out on top. Yet, I would not be stunned if St. John’s pulled off the SU upset. My top play for Friday night’s Big 12- Big East Battle is the OVER on the total line. Kansas is 15-5 SU in its last 20 games with a 10-9-1 record ATS. The total has gone OVER or ended as a PUSH in 13 of those games. St. John’s has gone 14-6 SU and 10-10 ATS over its last 20 outings. The total is an even 10-10.

Kansas Jayhawks vs. St. John's Red Storm Betting Trends

  • Kansas has failed to cover the spread in four of its last six games.
  • Kansas has failed to cover the spread in four of its last six games when playing as the favorite.
  • Kansas has gone OVER the point total in five of its last six games.
  • St. John's has gone OVER the point total in four of its last six games.