Xavier vs St. John's Predictions, College Basketball Expert Picks 2/17/2020

Game: Xavier Musketeers vs St. John's Red Storm

Date: Monday, February 17, 2020

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York, NY

TV: FS1

Odds/Point Spread: St. John's +1.5

Total/Over-Under: 141

The Xavier Musketeers travel to Madison Square Garden to play the St. John's Red Storm on Monday, February 17, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Xavier as 1.5 point favorites.

Xavier heads into this matchup with a mark of 16-9. They currently have a point differential of 4.1 as they are averaging 70.9 points per contest while giving up 66.8 per game. St. John's has an overall record of 14-11. They are averaging 75.2 points per game and surrendering 70.6, good for a point differential of 4.6.

Valuable Xavier Musketeers Betting Trends

The Xavier Musketeers are 9-14-2 against the spread

The Xavier Musketeers are 9-15-1 against the over/under

Important St. John's Red Storm Betting Trends

The St. John's Red Storm are 15-9-1 against the spread

The St. John's Red Storm are 8-17-0 against the over/under

Key Xavier Musketeers Injuries

02/07/20 F Dieonte Miles Knee is out indefinitely
01/09/20 G Dahmir Bishop Left Team is out for season

Key St. John's Red Storm Injuries

02/13/20 F Ian Steere Suspension is out indefinitely
02/11/20 G Mustapha Heron Ankle is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Tyrique Jones averages 13.7 points per game in 27.4 minutes per contest. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 11.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 56% for the year while his free throw percentage is 59%. Naji Marshall comes into this contest averaging 16.2 points per game while playing 34.8 minutes per night. He pulls down 5.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 39% while his free throw percentage is at 70%.

Player Spotlight

Rasheem Dunn averages 12.5 points per game and he sees the court an average of 28.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 3.8 rebounds per contest and 3.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 38% and his free throw percentage is 78%. LJ Figueroa averages 14.9 points per game while playing 28.2 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 2.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is at 68%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Musketeers allow 66.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 113th in Division 1. They also allow a 40% shooting percentage and a 29% average from behind the arc, ranking them 47th and 24th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.3 rebounds a game which ranks 198th, and they give up 11.7 assists per contest which puts them in 108th place in the NCAA. They force 13.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 147th in the nation. Xavier averages 70.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 189th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 4.1 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 209th. Behind the arc they shoot 31% which is good for 294th in D-1. They average 39.5 rebounds per game and 14.4 assists per contest, which ranks them 27th and 77th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 157th with 13.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Red Storm surrender 70.6 points per contest, which ranks them 210th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 40% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 58th and 125th in those defensive statistics. They rank 273rd with 14.0 assists allowed per contest, and 345th with 40.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Red Storm are 335th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 17.2 per game. St. John's is 77th in the country with 75.2 points per game this year. They are 300th in the D-1 in shooting at 41%, while their average scoring margin is 4.6. They shoot 31% from 3-point range, which is good for 295th in the nation. They are 29th in the country in rebounding with 39.4 boards per game and 51st in assists per contest with 14.8. The Red Storm are 282nd in turnovers per game with 12.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Musketeers are 205th in the nation in offensive rating with 100.3. In terms of pace they are 201st in the country with 69 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 247th. As a team they are 272nd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 243rd in Division 1. Xavier is 204th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.2 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

St. John's is 338th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions. The Red Storm have an offensive rating of 100.4, which is ranked 200th. They are 14th in D-1 in pace with 74.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 46% is 322nd. As a unit they are 323rd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 50% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 295th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Xavier/St. John's college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take St. John's +1.5

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