Omaha Mavericks vs St. John’s Red Storm Pick – 3/20/2025

The NCAA Tournament's first round brings an exciting matchup between the No. 2 seed St. John's Red Storm and the No. 15 seed Omaha Mavericks. The game is scheduled for Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 9:45 p.m. ET at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island. This contest marks Omaha's inaugural appearance in the NCAA Tournament, while St. John's returns to the Big Dance with high expectations.

Omaha Mavericks vs. St. John's Red Storm Game Preview

St. John's enters the tournament with an impressive 30-4 record, having secured both the Big East regular-season and tournament titles. Under the guidance of Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, the Red Storm have demonstrated a strong defensive presence, allowing just 65.9 points per game. Offensively, they average 78.7 points per game, with standout performances from Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis Jr., who contributes 18.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Forward Zuby Ejiofor adds 14.6 points and leads the team with 8.0 rebounds per game, while guard Kadary Richmond provides 12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.

Omaha, boasting a 22-12 record, clinched the Summit League championship to earn their first NCAA Tournament berth. The Mavericks are on a six-game winning streak, averaging 78.1 points per game while allowing 75.0. Summit League Player of the Year Marquel Sutton leads the team with 19.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Guard JJ White adds 13.7 points and 4.0 assists per game, and Tony Osburn contributes 12.2 points per game with a 40.4% success rate from three-point range.

Betting Insights

• Point Spread: St. John's is favored by 18.5 points.
• Moneyline: St. John's -3448, Omaha +1280.
• Over/Under: 147.5 points.

St. John's has been dominant, winning 19 of its last 20 games. Omaha, however, has shown resilience, winning each of its last five night games. Notably, St. John's has lost five of its last six games at Amica Mutual Pavilion against non-AP-ranked opponents, which could be a factor to consider.

Omaha Mavericks vs. St. John's Red Storm Prediction

St. John's enters the game with a strong defensive record and a balanced offensive attack. Their experience and depth make them formidable opponents. Omaha, while on a winning streak and featuring standout players like Sutton and White, faces a significant challenge against a top-tier team like St. John's.

Considering the current form and statistics, St. John's is expected to win the game. However, the 18.5-point spread is substantial. Omaha's recent performances suggest they could keep the game closer than the spread indicates. Therefore, while St. John's is likely to advance, Omaha may cover the spread. Bettors might also consider the over on the 147.5 total points, given both teams' scoring capabilities.

Final Score Prediction: St. John's 83, Omaha 66.