Saint John’s vs Kansas +3.5 O/U 144.5
🔥 Game Preview: Kansas vs. St. John’s
Round of 32 – NCAA Tournament Date: Sunday, March 22 Time: 5:15 PM ET Location: Viejas Arena, San Diego TV: CBS
📈 Team Momentum & Recent Form
St. John’s Red Storm (29–6)
- 20–1 in their last 21 games, including a dominant Big East Tournament run.
- Blew out Northern Iowa 79–53 in Round 1.
- Elite at rebounding, interior scoring, and defensive pressure.
- Rick Pitino has them playing fast, physical, and confident.
Kansas Jayhawks (24–10)
- Survived Cal Baptist 68–60 in Round 1.
- Inconsistent season overall, but the talent ceiling is extremely high.
- Darryn Peterson (potential No. 1 NBA pick) is heating up at the perfect time—28 points in Round 1.
🧩 Key Matchups & Storylines
⭐ Darryn Peterson vs. St. John’s Defense
Peterson is the best player on the floor—explosive, dynamic, and capable of taking over. St. John’s will try to disrupt him with length and physicality, but few teams have succeeded when he’s locked in.
🏀 Rebounding Battle
St. John’s is elite on the boards, but Kansas counters with size:
- Flory Bidunga
- Bryson Tiller
- Paul Mbiya All 6’10″+. This matchup could decide the game.
🎯 Three‑Point Shooting & Free Throws
Kansas shoots the 3 better and is 35th nationally in FT%, a major edge in a physical game. St. John’s perimeter shooting is streaky.
📊 Betting & Odds Snapshot
- Spread: St. John’s -2.5
- Moneyline: Kansas +140 / St. John’s -166
- Total: 142.5
Experts are split:
- Some models lean St. John’s by a bucket.
- Others see Kansas’ talent and shooting as the difference.
Prediction:
- This one is a kind of a no brainer to me. Both of these teams hit cold streaks quite often on offense. Saint John’s only ranks 189th in effective FG%. Kansas is right there ranking 182nd in effective FG%
- Kansas also struggles rebounding the ball only ranking 225th in offensive rebound percentage.
- What both teams do well is defend. Kansas ranks 9th in defensive efficiency while the Johnnies rank 10th.
- Kansas is 11-23 to the under at 67.7% while Saint John’s is 12-22 which is 64.7%. Take the under.
Under 144.5 – 2.5 stars
Utah State vs Arizona -11.5 O/U 153.5
🔥 Utah State vs. Arizona — Game Preview
Date: Sunday, March 22 Time: 7:50 PM ET Location: Viejas Arena, San Diego TV: truTV
📈 Team Profiles
🐺 Arizona Wildcats (33–2, No. 1 Seed)
- Absolutely rolled LIU 92–58 in Round 1.
- One of the best teams in the country:
- No. 1 in adjusted defensive efficiency and Top‑5 in offense.
- 86.3 PPG, shooting 50.3% from the field.
- Elite size and rebounding:
- Outrebounded LIU 52–31.
- Frontcourt features Koa Peat, Toby Awaka, Ivan Kharchenkov, and Motiejus Krivas—all strong rebounders.
- 10–0 in their last 10 games, winning by an average of 13+ points.
🔵 Utah State Aggies (29–6, No. 9 Seed)
- Beat Villanova 86–76 behind physical defense and efficient scoring.
- One of the most efficient offenses in the country:
- 82+ PPG, 14th nationally in FG%.
- Guards MJ Collins Jr. and Mason Falslev combine for nearly 34 PPG.
- Strong defensive metrics: opponents shoot just 42% from the field.
- 7–3 in their last 10, averaging 77.5 PPG.
🧩 Key Matchups & Storylines
⭐ Arizona’s Size vs. Utah State’s Efficiency
Utah State is efficient, but Arizona’s frontcourt is overwhelming. The Aggies’ top rebounder is a 6’3″ guard, which could be a major problem against Arizona’s elite bigs.
🎯 Three‑Point Battle
- Utah State hits 8.4 threes per game, slightly above what Arizona typically allows.
- Arizona doesn’t rely on threes—its attack is built on pace, transition, and interior scoring.
🏀 Tempo & Turnovers
Arizona wants to run, but Utah State’s system is built on discipline and ball movement. Tommy Lloyd emphasized rebounding and ball security as keys to pushing pace.
📊 Betting Snapshot
- Spread: Arizona -11.5
- Total: 154.5
- Moneyline: Utah State +550 / Arizona -800
Arizona has covered big numbers all season, but Utah State’s offense gives them upset‑spoiler potential.
Prediction:
- It was fun to see the Aggies take out Villanova in the first round, but let’s be real, the Cats shot only three pointers the whole game and did not really attempt to go inside.
- This different Wildcat team is the must complete team in college basketball with an offense ranking 4th in efficiency and a defense ranking 3rd. Arizona will be able to score from anywhere on the court against Utah State.
- The Aggies are not used to playing an offense of this caliber being stuck in the Mountain West. When they stepped up against South Florida in the non-conference, they were beat 74-61. VCU and Villanova was their best competition with neither of those teams ranked in the top 30 in Kenpom.
- Lay the points.
Arizona -11.5 – 2 stars
