High stakes in the Big East! St. John's looks to avenge an earlier loss against Creighton. Our betting preview dives deep into the matchups, recent form, and key stats to give you the winning edge.
Creighton Bluejays (18-7 SU, 11-3 Big East) vs. St. John's Red Storm (21-4 SU, 12-2 Big East)
When: Sunday, February 16, 2025, 3:00 PM ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV: FS1
Betting Odds
Point Spread: St. John's -6
Total: 142
Money Line: Creighton +222 / St. John's -275
Notable Injuries
Creighton Bluejays
- Pop Isaacs (G) – Out for season (hip injury) since December 6, 2024.
St. John's Red Storm
- Deivon Smith (G) – Doubtful (neck injury) as of February 9, 2025; expected to miss the remainder of the regular season.
- Brady Dunlap (F) – Out for season (hand injury) since December 17, 2024.
Recent Form
Creighton Bluejays
The Bluejays recently saw their nine-game winning streak halted by a 70-66 home loss to Connecticut on February 11. Despite leading 37-23 late in the first half, Creighton couldn't maintain their advantage and were outscored 5-1 in the final moments. The team held UConn to 39% shooting but managed just 40% themselves. Prior to this, Creighton had impressive wins over ranked opponents, including Marquette and UConn, elevating their season record to 18-7 and positioning them well for an NCAA tournament berth.
St. John's Red Storm
St. John's had a 10-game winning streak snapped with a narrow 73-71 loss at Villanova on February 12. Trailing by 11 points midway through the second half, the Red Storm rallied with a 14-0 run to take the lead but ultimately fell short after a late Villanova three-pointer. The team shot 44% from the field while allowing Villanova to shoot 53%. Despite the loss, St. John's remains atop the Big East standings with a 12-2 conference record and is aiming for its first regular-season title since 1986.
Analysis
Creighton boasts a balanced offense, shooting 48% from the field, 34% from three-point range, and 75% from the free-throw line. Defensively, they limit opponents to 40% shooting and maintain a +3 rebounding margin. Their schedule ranks as the 9th-toughest nationally, showcasing their resilience against strong competition.
St. John's, shooting 45% from the field and 29% from beyond the arc, relies heavily on its defense, which holds opponents to 40% shooting and secures a +6 rebounding advantage. The absence of key guard Deivon Smith, who averages 9.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, could impact their offensive efficiency and depth.
Betting Trends
- Creighton is 6-2-1 ATS in their last nine meetings against St. John's.
- The total has gone UNDER in the last four matchups between these teams.
- St. John's is 14-3 SU in their last 17 home games against Creighton.
Pick and Prediction
While St. John's holds a slight edge playing at Madison Square Garden, the absence of Deivon Smith and Creighton's recent strong performances suggest a competitive matchup. Given the history of close games between these teams and the current 6-point spread favoring St. John's, taking Creighton with the points appears favorable.
Prediction: St. John's 74, Creighton 70