St. John’s (5-1) at Seton Hall (3-3)
Series
One of the great original Big East rivalries takes the stage even faster because the Red Storm was supposed to play Butler and the Pirates were to take on UConn, but the Bulldogs and Huskies were on pause because of COVID-19 protocols. The Red Storm leads this series, 66-44, but it has been a series overwhelmingly in favor of the home teams as St. John’s boasts a 38-12 record at home while the Pirates’ home mark is 27-12 with SJU leading 9-3 on neutral courts.
Vs. The Spread
The total gone over in five of the Johnnies’ six games and they are 4-1 ATS in their last five Big East games. SJU is 1-11 SU in the last 12 road affairs. The OVER is the play with the Pirates as well as the number has gone over in 9 of the last 13 Seton Hall outings and the Hall is 6-0 SU in their last six home games vs. the Red Storm. The total is OVER in five of the Pirates’ last seven vs. a Big East opponent.
| Teams | Spread | Money Line | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. John’s | +4.5 (-110) | +180 | O 153 (-110) |
| Seton Hall | -4.5 (-110) | -210 | U 153 (-110) |
Last Time Out
Vince Cole scored 12 points in the last 2:45 on Tuesday night to help the Red Storm subdue the Rider Broncos, 82-79 in Carnesecca Arena. Cole finished with a game-high 26 points as the Red Storm erased an 11-point second half deficit.
Seton Hall blasted Wagner, 78-45, as junior Ike Obiagu scored a career-high 20 points while blocking eight shots. Jared Rhoden accrued his second double-double of the season with 22 points and 11 rebounds as the Pirates held the Seahawks to 27.4 percent from the field.
Red Rage
Freshman point guard Posh Alexander is already turning heads in the New York area and in the Big East as he is averaging 6.3 assists and 2.8 steals per game over the first six. Alexander, who chose the Johnnies over Seton Hall and Dayton, and Greg Williams, who leads the Big East with 3.2 steals per contest, are at the head of Mike Anderson’s pressure defense which forces opponents to turn the ball over 20.5 times per game. The Pirates average 13.8 turnovers, so Seton Hall guards Shavar Reynolds and Myles Cale will be put on notice with decision making from the outset.
From the Plank
The Pirates have been tested with five games in nine days and in four different states. Coming from 19 down to nip Penn State in overtime was a confidence builder, especially on the road. Sandro Mamukelashvili is an imposing force at 6-11, 245, in averaging 18.5 points and 7.2 boards per game and taking nearly 25 percent of the Pirates’ shots. His matchup with SJU big man Julian Champaigne, who nets 22 points per game, will be a major storyline. Champaigne has struggled with an ankle injury so far this season and will need to be at his peak as he has played in only four the the Red Storms’ six games.
Winner: Seton Hall (-4.5) 83, St. John’s 77
Over-Under: Take OVER 153
