Arkansas vs. St. John's Prediction, Pick, Odds: Expect Defensive Battle From Pitino, Calipari in Round of 32
John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks will look to stay hot and pull another upset, this time spoiling a tremendous season from St. John's and Ricki Pitino. Can Arkansas limit the Johnnies in the paint and keep this low scoring and close in Providence today? Jason Radowitz is bearish on the offense from both sides, and gives his best betting pick for Arkansas vs. St. John's in the Round of 32.
Jason Radowitz - March 22, 2025, 11:12 AM EDT
5 minArkansas vs. St. John's Prediction, Pick, Odds: Expect Defensive Battle From Pitino, Calipari in Round of 32
This afternoon, the Arkansas Razorbacks will play the St. John's Red Storm in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Arkansas scraped past Kansas to give John Calipari his first NCAA Tournament win as a head coach of the Razorbacks. Meanwhile, Rick Pitino got his first win in the NCAA Tournament with his new team, the St. John's Red Storm.
St. John's came out a bit flat in the first half against Omaha but turned it up a notch in the second half to earn a 30-point win.
Now, we're set up with an Arkansas-St. John's Round of 32 matchup. Therefore, we're guaranteed to have either John Calipari or Rick Pitino in the Sweet 16. Which team will outlast the other?
Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for today's game between the Arkansas Razorbacks vs. St. John's Red Storm.
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Arkansas vs. St. John's Odds
- Spread: Arkansas +6.5 (+100), St. John's (-120)
- Total: Over 144.5 (-115), Under 144.5 (-105)
- ML: Arkansas +260, St. John's (-320)
Arkansas vs. St. John's Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Saturday, March 22, 2024
- Game Time: 2:40 PM ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
Click here for latest Arkansas vs. St. John's Odds
Arkansas vs. St. John's Prediction
The St. John's Red Storm finally has an identity. They're the best defense in the country, holding teams to a 46% effective field goal percentage. Opponents have added only 29.5% of offensive rebounds and have shot just 31% from deep and 45.6% from inside the arc.
Meanwhile, Arkansas has plenty of scoring ability. The Razorbacks have shot a 52.6% effective field goal percentage and have talent behind Adou Thiero, Zvonimir Ivisic, and Boogie Fland. That said. Arkansas has hit just 33% from downtown and has earned 27.7% of offensive rebounds.
Missed threes likely won't turn into second chances, which will give St. John's the chance to score on the other end.
That said, the Johnnies aren't spectacular on the offensive end. If anything, the Red Storm's offense could keep them out of contention in the NCAA Tournament's Final Four. Ultimately, the Johnnies have shot just a 49.9% effective field goal percentage.
They've knocked down just 30.8% from deep and have added only 69% from the foul line this season. Additionally, St. John's doesn't even get to the foul line often.
All in all, John Calipari's Razorbacks have also been solid defensively. They've held teams to a 48.3% effective field goal percentage and have held teams to 28.4% of offensive rebounds. If Arkansas can keep St. John's off the glass, I'd expect this game to be low-scoring.
Let's rock with the Under 144.5.
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. St. John's Red Storm Pick
- Pick: Under 144.5 (-105) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best price on Arkansas vs. St. John's
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