Things have not gone the way the St. John’s Red Storm planned entering this season. After a successful year under coach Rick Pitino last year, the Red Storm looked to be even better, getting its highest preseason ranking ever
Instead, they have struggled, falling out of the Top 25, and were upset at home by a bad Providence team to open the new year. Now, they’re riding back-to-back wins and may be hitting their stride once again.
My Marquette at St. John's predictions and college basketball picks call for the Red Storm to overwhelm Marquette on Tuesday, January 13.
Marquette vs St. John's prediction
Marquette vs St. John's best bet: St. John's -14 (-110)
In the non-conference season, the St. John’s Red Storm's struggles seemed to be a result of overscheduling. Rick Pitino put together a schedule worthy of a Top-5 team, and the Red Storm suffered four Quad I losses to Alabama, Iowa State, Auburn, and Kentucky. It was frustrating, but no reason to sound an alarm.
Then came Providence. The Friars were 7-6 and winless in the Big East when they came to St. John’s. They then sprung a 77-71 upset, Providence’s only win in five games.
St. John’s couldn’t shoot, hitting just 7 of 31 from three and 13 of 40 from two. The latter is a season-worst.
The Red Storm also couldn’t defend, allowing more than a point per possession, something that’s happened three times in the last four games and in four of six.
However, Pitino said St. John’s back was against the wall, and the team responded, winning back-to-back road Quad I games, over Butler and Creighton, by double digits. After six straight ATS losses, St. John’s has now won three of four, straight up and ATS.
Meanwhile, the Marquette Golden Eagles would be an even more shocking upset candidate than Providence was. At 6-11, the Golden Eagles have already matched last season’s loss total, and they’ve lost seven of the last eight straight up and seven of nine ATS.
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Marquette vs St. John's same-game parlay
Both teams play relatively fast. Marquette is No. 59 in tempo, and St. John’s is 62. The Red Storm go even faster when they're winning.
The Georgetown win had 178 total points; the win over Creighton in the last game finished at 163. Those outings followed a long string of Unders where St. John’s didn’t look good. Marquette can either try to run with the Storm, playing into their hands, or slow things down, which is against the Golden Eagles’ nature.
Watch your step. There’s a trap nearby. Nigel James has scored 15 or more in four of five and has averaged 16 over his last 10. That includes a 31-point night last game that makes the over seem appealing.
However, the freshman is a New York kid who has never played at Madison Square Garden. He spent the days before the game talking about how excited he is at the opportunity. A case of the nerves, combined with bigger guards defending him — all 13 players on St. John’s roster are taller than the 6-foot James — could cause him to have an off night.
Marquette vs St. John's SGP
- St. John's -14
- Over 157.5
- Nigel James Under 14.5 points
Our beyond the arc SGP: The Bryce Isn't Right
Bryce Hopkins hasn’t made multiple 3-pointers in a game since Thanksgiving and hasn’t hit 60% from the field in a game in the last month. He’s had two single-digit scoring nights in the last four games, and, after scoring 15+ five times in the first six games of the season, he’s hit that mark just once in the last 10.
Marquette vs St. John's SGP
- St. John's -14
- Over 157.5
- Nigel James Under 14.5 points
- Bryce Hopkins Under 13.5 points
Marquette vs St. John's odds
- Spread: Marquette +14 (-110) | St. John's -14 (-110)
- Moneyline: Marquette +750 | St. John's -1200
- Over/Under: Over 157.5 (-110) | Under 157.5 (-110)
Marquette vs St. John's betting trend to know
St. John's have covered the Spread in 20 of its last 35 games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Marquette vs. St. John's.
How to watch Marquette vs St. John's
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Tuesday, January 13, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 6:30 p.m. ET |
| TV |
Peacock |
Marquette vs St. John's key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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