Marquette at St. John’s Expert Pick & Analysis 1/3/23

Marquette (11-4 SU 8-7 ATS) vs. St. John’s (11-4 SU 7-8 ATS)
When: Tuesday, January 3rd: 6:30 ET
Where: Carnesecca Arena Queens, NY
TV: FS1
Point Spread: MARQ -3/ STJOHN +3
Total: 156.5
Money Line: Marquette Golden Eagles -156/ St. John’s Red Storm +128

Two 11-4 teams take to the floor of the Carnesecca Arena on Tuesday night when Marquette visits St. John’s. It may all come down to whether the Red Storm can slow down the Golden Eagles, who have averaged 81.5 points per game.

Line Movement

The spread line hit the board at -2.5 and has held there under the early betting action. The total is a different story, climbing to as high as 157.5 after opening at as low as 156 at some betting shops.

Last Game Info

Marquette will be looking for another win, as they most recently defeated Villanova by a score of 68-66. The Golden Eagles also picked up an ATS victory as they were +3 point underdogs. The combined 134 points did not surpass the 144.5 total line.

St. John’s most recently fell to Seton Hall (88-66). Not only did the Red Storm lose straight-up, but they picked up an ATS defeat as +3 point underdogs. The combined 154 points finished above the 145 total line.

Current Form

Marquette
Over their last five games, Marquette has a straight-up record of 4-1 while going 4-1 vs. the spread. Over this stretch, the Golden Eagles’ offense averages 79.4 points per game while hitting 49.3% of their shots from the field. On the defensive end of the floor, they have allowed opponents to shoot 44.5% from the field while allowing 72.0 points per contest.

St. John’s
In their previous five contests St. John’s is 2-3 straight-up and 1-4 vs. the spread. In these five games, they have a scoring average of 73.0 points per game on a shooting percentage of 41.6%. Defensively, they allow teams to hit 45.6% of their shots while giving up 76.0 points per game.

Average Power Rating Of Opponents Played

This season, the combined power rating of Marquette’s opponents comes in at 80.3. On the other side, St. John’s combined opponent power rating sits at 78.1.

How Does Marquette Fare On The Road?

For the season, the Golden Eagles have played five road games and have a record of 2-3. In these contests, Marquette is 3-2 vs. the spread. Offensively, they have averaged 74.0 points per game on a shooting percentage of 45.2%. On defense, the Golden Eagles allow 73.2 points per contest when playing away from home. So far, opposing teams have a field goal percentage of 42.9% in these games.

How Does St. John’s Fare At Home?

In their ten games at home, St. John’s has a 5-5 record vs. the spread while going 9-1 straight-up. On offense, the Red Storm are shooting 47.3% on their home floor, leading to 81.9 points per game. Defensively, opponents are shooting 40.5% in these contests. The St. John’s defense is allowing 67.3 points per game at home.

Offense vs. Defense

For the season, Marquette is averaging 74.4 points per game (102nd) while posting an overall field goal percentage of 45.3%. In today’s game, they will be matched up against a St. John’s defense that has allowed an average of 70.7 points per contest. This year, opponents have hit 42.8% of their shots vs. St. John’s. On the other side, the St. John’s Red Storm are coming into the game averaging 79.6 points per game on a shooting percentage of 45.3%. The Red Storm will be facing a defensive unit allowing an average of 69.9 points per contest. So far, teams have hit 43.2% of their shots vs. the Golden Eagles.

Three-Point Shooting

From beyond the arc, Marquette has a shooting percentage of 34.7% while ranking 211th in attempts per game. The Golden Eagles will be facing a St. John’s defense that has a 3-point field goal shooting percentage allowed of 32.8%. St. John’s enters the game, having hit 33.5% of their looks from deep while averaging 7.25 made 3’s per game. On the other end, Marquette has allowed opponents to hit 33.5% of their shots from beyond the arc.

Injuries Of Note

Marquette

• Zach Wrightsil (Out) Knee
• Emarion Ellis (Out) Knee

St. John’s

• Rafael Pinzon (Questionable) Illness

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Pick Against The Spread

I have to ride the club that gives its all every game. Marquette has lost by 5 to Purdue, 3 to Mississippi State, and in OT to Wisconsin and Providence. St. John’s has lost to every quality team they have faced. Both teams can play offense, but the Golden Eagles have done it against superior competition. Take Marquette.