The St. John’s Red Storm will face off against the Providence Friars in Providence, Rhode Island, with the game scheduled to tip off at 1 p.m. ET on TNT. St. John’s enters the matchup as the favorite, boasting an 8-point spread and a moneyline of -425, while the total for the game is set at 168.5 points.
As the Red Storm prepare to take on the Friars, they continue to showcase impressive performance, riding a significant 10-game winning streak. With a current record that reflects their strong play, St. John’s ranks 22nd in KenPom. The team has only experienced two losses since Thanksgiving, a testament to their resilience and skill.
Key to St. John’s success has been the standout play of Zuby Ejiofor, regarded as the frontrunner for the Big East Player of the Year. The talented forward is averaging 16.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, exhibiting impressive shooting efficiency at 54%. His ability to draw fouls and offensive rebounding prowess place him among the top performers in the Big East. Ejiofor’s improved court vision and passing ability have also facilitated open looks for his teammates, contributing to a collective shooting improvement of 36% from beyond the arc in conference play.
Defensively, St. John’s remains a powerhouse, currently ranked 18th nationally in defensive efficiency. The team’s disciplined defensive strategy has made it challenging for opponents, with Dillon Mitchell recognized as one of the best individual defenders in the country. The Red Storm’s approach limits 3-point attempts, allowing only 34% of opponent field goals from beyond the arc, underscoring their defensive tenacity.
On the other hand, Providence has struggled this season, currently holding an 11-14 record with a 4-10 mark in Big East play. Despite their losing record, the Friars have demonstrated their competitiveness, suffering heartbreak in four overtime games and notable losses due to blown leads against rivals UConn and Georgetown.
Providence ranks 64th in KenPom, supported by an offensive capability that ranks 18th nationally. However, the team’s defensive performance has been concerning, placing them 213th in that category. Despite having one of the nation’s top shot blockers in Oswin Erhunmwunse, the Friars have struggled to contain opponents, showcasing both their fast-paced style of play and a lack of defensive cohesion.
Key players for Providence include Jaylin Sellers, a high-scoring guard averaging 17.4 points per game, along with Jason Edwards and emerging talents like Stefan Vaaks and Jamier Jones, who have shown scoring versatility. Their offensive arsenal plateaus, however, when facing stronger defensive teams, often translating to disappointing results.
Looking back to their previous matchup on January 3, Providence pulled off a surprising 77-71 victory at Madison Square Garden, propelled by Vaaks’ late-game heroics. This time, St. John’s will seek to exploit their advantages, particularly with Ejiofor’s dominant performance, where he scored a career-high 33 points and exhibited outstanding rebounding skills.
As both teams prepare for another exciting encounter, the atmosphere at Providence will be electric. Expectations for a high-scoring game are palpable, with analysts favoring the over on points, showing confidence in the offensive capabilities of both teams. Given the fast-paced style of play exhibited by Providence and Ejiofor’s anticipated impact, fans can look forward to what promises to be an exhilarating battle on the court.