St. John's vs. Kansas Odds, Time, March Madness Predictions: 2026 NCAA Tournament Picks from Proven Model The fifth-seeded St. John's Red Storm will face the fourth-seeded Kansas Jayhawks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament East Region on Sunday. St. John's defeated Northern Iowa 79-53 in the first round, while Kansas outlasted California Baptist 68-60. The Red Storm, who won the Big East at 18-2 and earned the conference tournament title, have won seven games in a row. The Jayhawks, who tied for third in the Big 12 at 12-6, have won three of their last four games. The game will tip off from Viejas Arena in San Diego at 5:15 p.m. ET. Kansas holds the edge in the all-time series with a 9-5 record, including a 95-75 victory in 2021. St. John's is listed as a 3.5-point favorite in the latest odds, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 144.5. The Red Storm is at -175 on the money line, meaning a bettor would need to risk $175 to win $100, while Kansas is listed as the +145 underdogs, meaning a $100 bet would yield $145 in profit. Before making any picks, fans are encouraged to check the predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model. The model has simulated every college basketball game 10,000 times and has entered the 2026 NCAA Tournament on a strong 11-1 run on its top-rated over/under picks dating back to last season. It is also on a 28-22 run on top-rated CBB side picks. In its latest simulation of St. John's vs. Kansas, the model has revealed its college basketball picks and predictions. The model is going Under on the total points scored, with the Under hitting in nine of the last 10 games for St. John's and in seven of the last 10 for Kansas. St. John's is 7-3 against the spread in its last 10 games, while Kansas is 4-6 ATS in its last 10.#ncaa_tournament #sportsline #st_johns #kansas_jayhawks #viejas_arena
NCAA Tournament Player Props: Picks for Zuby Ejiofor, Braden Smith & Tarris Reed for Friday On the first full day of NCAA Tournament action, several standout performances emerged, with players like Tyler Tanner, Terence Hill Jr., and Morez Johnson leading the way. For Friday’s games, the focus shifts to a pair of Big East big men who have been dominant throughout the season, along with Braden Smith, whose potential for a historic night may still result in an underperforming stat line. Here’s a breakdown of the key player props for Friday’s first-round matchups. Zuby Ejiofor is set to face Northern Iowa in a matchup that favors his offensive skills. Ejiofor, a First-Team All-Big East selection and recipient of the Big East Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards, has been a consistent scorer, averaging 16.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. His recent form has been exceptional, with 18 points in each of his past five games and an average of 20.6 points over that stretch. St. John’s, which has won 19 of its last 20 games, enters the tournament with a strong offensive identity. While the team is not known for its three-point shooting, head coach Rick Pitino may prioritize inside scoring, which should benefit Ejiofor. Northern Iowa’s defense ranks third nationally in three-point shooting allowed but struggles against two-pointers, making this a favorable matchup for Ejiofor. The pick leans toward him exceeding 17.5 points. Braden Smith, a consensus First-Team All-American, is poised to make history by becoming the NCAA’s all-time assist leader. However, his prop line for Friday’s game against Queens NC may be too high. Smith averages nine assists per game but has stayed under 10.5 assists in 71% of his games this season.#st_johns #zuby_ejiofor #braden_smith #northern_university #tarris_reed
St. John's NCAA Tournament Schedule and First-Round Matchup The 2026 NCAA Tournament kicks off on Thursday, March 19, with 16 first-round games spread across the country. St. John's, seeded No. 5 in the East Region, will face No. 12 Northern Iowa in their opening matchup. The game is scheduled for Friday, March 20, and will be streamed via the NCAA March Madness Live app or Fubo. St. John's enters the tournament as a strong contender after securing a second consecutive Big East title. The Red Storm dominated the conference championship, defeating UConn 72-52 at Madison Square Garden last Saturday. However, their 2025 tournament run ended early with a second-round upset loss to Arkansas. This year, the team aims to build on their recent success and advance further in the postseason. The first-round schedule features a mix of high-profile matchups and underdog battles. Notable games include No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Siena, No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 16 Howard, and No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No. 14 Kennesaw State. Odds for St. John's game against Northern Iowa, as of March 19, show them as slight favorites with a spread of -9.5 points. The over/under total is set at 131.5 points, while the moneyline odds favor St. John's at -550, with Northern Iowa listed at +400. Other first-round games include No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 TCU, No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 13 Troy, and No. 6 Louisville vs. No. 11 South Florida. Streaming options for these matchups vary, with platforms like Sling TV and Fubo offering live coverage. The tournament’s opening day will set the stage for a thrilling March Madness season, with teams from all regions vying for a spot in the Sweet 16.#madison_square_garden #big_east #ncaa_tournament #st_johns #northern_uniowa
2026 NCAA Tournament Projections: Has UConn Locked Up the Final No. 1 Seed? As the NCAA Tournament approaches, the race for the final No. 1 seed has taken a decisive turn. UConn’s dominant 72-40 victory over St. John’s on Wednesday night has shifted the narrative, with the Huskies now positioned as strong contenders for the fourth and final top seed. The win, which ended St. John’s 13-game winning streak and marked the most lopsided loss in Rick Pitino’s tenure at the program, has bolstered UConn’s case for a No. 1 seed. Previously, Duke, Michigan, and Arizona were seen as the clear-cut top seeds, leaving UConn as the final team in contention. However, the Huskies’ performance has added momentum to their bid, raising questions about whether the race is already decided. With Selection Sunday less than a month away, the final rankings could still shift, but UConn’s recent form has made them a formidable candidate. FOX Sports’ bracket forecaster Mike DeCourcy has outlined his latest projections, highlighting the evolving landscape of the tournament. According to his analysis, Indiana, TCU, Santa Clara, and VCU are currently on the bubble, while Auburn, San Diego State, Virginia Tech, and USC are projected to be excluded. The SEC leads all conferences with 10 teams, followed by the Big Ten and ACC, each with nine representatives. The Big 12 has eight teams, while the Big East and West Coast Conference each have three. The A-10 contributes two teams. The Midwest region remains a focal point, with DeCourcy’s projections emphasizing the competition for at-large bids. The Big Ten, in particular, has seen a surge in teams vying for inclusion, creating a tight race for the final spots. Meanwhile, the top seeds are largely set, with Duke, Michigan, and Arizona securing their positions. UConn’s inclusion as the fourth No.#uconn #ncaa_tournament #st_johns #rick_pitino #mike_decourcy
