Providence Friars vs St. John's Red Storm Picks, Prediction, Odds, and Line Movement for Saturday January 3 2026
The Providence Friars, holding a 7-6 record overall and still searching for their first conference win at 0-2 in Big East play, are on the road to New York City. They'll be squaring off against the St. John’s Red Storm, who are off to a strong start this season with a 9-4 record and a perfect 2-0 mark in conference games. The matchup takes place at the iconic Madison Square Garden, where the Friars hope to secure their first Big East victory of the season and turn things around in conference play. Get involved in the action with our free college basketball picks.
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Providence vs. St. John’s Game Information
- January 3, 2026
- 12:00pm EST
- Madison Square Garden
- FOX
St. John’s Form & Recent Results
St. John’s heads into this game riding the momentum of a two-game winning streak, and they’ve managed to pick up victories in four of their last five contests. Their most recent triumph was an impressive 95-83 win over Georgetown, where Zuby Ejiofor put on a standout performance, racking up 25 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists for the Red Storm. Throughout this season, Ejiofor has been the team’s go-to option on offense, leading St. John’s with an average of 14.6 points per game. Right behind him is Bryce Hopkins, who’s also been a key contributor, averaging 13.5 points per matchup. Ejiofor doesn’t just lead the team in scoring, he’s been their top rebounder as well, pulling down an average of 7.4 boards each game this season. He’s also the team leader in assists, making plays for his teammates with 3.1 assists per game. Over their last five games, St. John’s has been putting up big numbers, averaging 83.2 points. On the road, St. John’s has allowed an average of 105 points, which is something they’ll desperately look to turn around when they head to Madison Square Garden. As they gear up to take on Providence, the Red Storm will aim to keep their winning streak alive, hoping their offensive firepower continues to deliver in the clutch and helps them stay undefeated in conference play.
Providence Form & Recent Results
Providence heads into this game trying to snap a two-game skid, though they've managed to come out on top in three of their last five contests. In their most recent battle, a hard-fought 72-67 defeat against Seton Hall, Tajuan Simpkins put up an impressive 22 points. The team shot a solid 80% from the free throw line, but their 13 turnovers proved costly. Throughout this season, Jason Edwards has been the Friars’ main scoring threat, averaging a team-high 18.5 points per game. Jaylin Sellers isn’t far behind, contributing 16.1 points on average. When it comes to rebounding, Oswin Erhunmwunse leads the way, pulling down about 6.9 boards per game. Edwards is also Providence’s top playmaker this season, dishing out an average of 3.5 assists. Offensively, Providence appears to be finding their rhythm, as they’ve put up an impressive 89.4 points per game over their last five matchups. The Friars are eager to finally notch their first conference win, hoping their recent scoring surge will carry them over the hump.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tony Karpinski | +2,976.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +2,595.00 |
| 3 |  The Insiders Room | +2,320.00 |
| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +1,627.00 |
| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,451.00 |
Key Stats
- Providence this season: 39 rebounds, 16.8 assists, 4.9 blocks, 7.2 steals per game
- St. John’s this season: 38.6 rebounds, 16.5 assists, 5.6 blocks, 8.5 steals per game
Betting Odds & Market Overview:
- SJU -12.5; O/U 169.5
Providence vs. St. John’s Picks and Prediction
St. John’s heads into this game riding a wave of confidence. So far this season, they’ve come out strong in conference play with a 2-0 record, and their offense has looked sharp, especially when playing at home, where they've managed to win seven of their eight games. On the flip side, Providence has struggled to find their footing in away games. They’ve lost both of their first two games on the road, allowing an average of 105 points in those matchups. St. John’s will aim to come out firing right from the opening tip, but they know they can't afford to underestimate Providence despite the Friars’ early road struggles. Final Score Prediction, St. John’s Red Storm win but fail to cover the spread, 84-73.
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