The No. 19-ranked UConn Huskies host the No. 12 St. John's Red Storm in NCAA action on Friday night.
The Huskies are coming off a big win thanks to sharp-shooting guard Solo Ball, and my St. John’s vs. UConn predictions are betting on him to rain threes again.
Here are my best free college basketball picks for this Big East showdown on February 7.
St. John’s vs UConn prediction
My best bet
Solo Ball Over 2.5 made threes (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
The UConn Huskies are coming off an upset win on the road against No. 9 Marquette last Saturday. It was a much-needed victory for a team desperate for positivity after going 3-3 straight-up and 1-5 against the spread in its previous six games.
The Huskies turned the ball over 25 times against Marquette and allowed 17 offensive rebounds but shot a sizzling 63% from deep to get the win. The hero of that game was Solo Ball, who dropped 25 points while shooting 7-for-9 from deep.
While that sort of accuracy is obviously unsustainable long-term, but Ball has been consistent with his perimeter shooting this season and he won't need to be that accurate to eclipse 2.5 made threes today. Since the start of December, Ball has knocked down more than 2.5 triples in 10 of 14 games and he's shooting a scorching 45.6% from deep over that span.
The St. John's Red Storm are fourth in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency per KenPom but they play at a blazing-fast pace and struggle to defend the arc. The Johnnies are 181st in the country in opponent 3-point percentage (33.7%) and they sit outside the Top-300 at allowing high quality threes per ShotQualityBets.
Ball's confidence should be at an all-time high after his heroic performance on the weekend and I'm expecting him to let it fly from deep. It won't take many attempts for him to cash his 3-pointers made bet tonight.
St. John’s vs UConn same-game parlay (SGP)
Solo Ball Over 2.5 made threes
St. John's alt. spread +5.5
Over 141.5
Early money has come in on the Huskies, shifting their line from -2.5 to -3.5. However, I expect the Johnnies to keep things within two possessions. This is a St. John's squad that has won nine games in a row and is 6-2-1 ATS during that span.
The Johnnies are 21st in the country in opponent turnover rate (21.2%) and 14th in offensive rebounding rate (35.7%) so they can take advantage of those areas where UConn was exposed against Marquette.
While the Huskies are expected to get back star freshman Liam McNeeley (13.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 43/38/85 shooting splits) after an eight-game absence, he'll be on a minutes restriction. With the Johnnies struggling to defend UConn at the arc and the Huskies giving up too many second-chances on the defensive glass, I'm leaning towards both offenses to have success.
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St. John’s vs UConn odds
St. John’s vs UConn live odds
St. John’s vs UConn opening odds
- Spread: St. John’s +115 | UConn -135
- Moneyline: St. John’s +2.5 | UConn -2.5
- Over/Under: Over 141 | Under 141
Odds courtesy of bet365
St. John’s vs UConn betting trend to know
The Huskies are 0-5 ATS in their last five games at home. Find more college basketball betting trends for St. John’s vs. UConn.
How to watch St. John’s vs UConn
| Location | Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, CT |
| Date | Friday, 2-7-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
St. John’s vs UConn key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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