Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Arena: Carnesecca Arena Jamaica, NY
Get ready for an electrifying matchup as the Bryant Bulldogs take on the St. John’s Red Storm this Wednesday at Carnesecca Arena in Queens, New York. With both teams looking to solidify their standings early in the season, this game promises to be a thrilling clash of styles and strategies. The Red Storm are riding high after a recent victory over Kansas State, while the Bulldogs are eager to prove themselves against a formidable opponent. Let’s dive into what makes this game so intriguing.
Current Form and Momentum
St. John’s Red Storm (7-2)
The Red Storm have been impressive this season, boasting a perfect 6-0 record at home. Their recent victory against Kansas State (88-71) showcased their offensive prowess, led by Zuby Ejiofor’s standout performance of 28 points and 13 rebounds. St. John’s is averaging 82.8 points per game, with a strong shooting percentage of 47% from the field. They rank second in the Big East and are looking to extend their winning streak to three games.
Key players like RJ Luis (16.9 PPG) and Deivon Smith (5.0 assists per game) have been instrumental in their success, contributing not just in scoring but also in facilitating plays and maintaining defensive pressure.
Bryant Bulldogs (6-5)
The Bulldogs come into this game with a solid offensive reputation, averaging 86.3 points per game, which ranks them 16th nationally. They recently dominated VTSU-Johnson with a staggering 122-63 victory, demonstrating their ability to score in bunches. Rafael Pinzon leads the team with 19.6 points per game, while Earl Timberlake contributes significantly with his all-around play.
However, Bryant’s defense has been less reliable, allowing 78.3 points per game, which could be a critical factor against St. John’s high-powered offense.
Key Statistics
When we look at the numbers, several key statistics stand out:
- Scoring Efficiency:
- St. John’s: 82.8 PPG (50th nationally)
- Bryant: 86.3 PPG (16th nationally)
- Defensive Efficiency:
- St. John’s allows 67.1 PPG (86th nationally)
- Bryant allows 78.3 PPG (286th nationally)
- Effective Field Goal Percentage:
- St. John’s: 47%
- Bryant: 46.7%
- Three-Point Shooting:
- Bryant averages 8.9 made threes per game, slightly higher than St. John’s allowance of 8.2 threes per game.
These statistics illustrate a stark contrast between the two teams’ offensive capabilities and defensive vulnerabilities.
Notable Injuries
As of now, both teams appear to be at full strength with no significant injuries reported that could impact their rotations or strategies heading into this matchup.
Why Pick Bryant Bulldogs +22.5
Given the current odds, St. John’s is favored by a hefty 22.5 points against Bryant, but there are compelling reasons to consider taking the Bulldogs to cover this spread:
- Offensive Firepower: Bryant’s ability to score is undeniable; they have consistently put up big numbers against various opponents this season, including their recent blowout win where they scored over 120 points.
- Three-Point Threat: With players like Rafael Pinzon shooting at an impressive rate from beyond the arc (52.6%), they can keep pace with St. John’s offensively and potentially exploit any defensive lapses.
- Recent Performance Trends: While St. John’s has been strong at home, they have shown vulnerabilities against teams that can shoot effectively from three-point range—an area where Bryant excels.
- Prediction Models: Various NCAA basketball prediction models provide insight into expected outcomes:
- KenPom predicts a final score of St. John’s 87, Bryant 67.
- Bart Torvik suggests a closer match with St. John’s winning 85-70.
- Sagarin Ratings forecast St. John’s at 88 and Bryant at 68.
- Haslametrics gives a similar outcome with St. John’s at 86 and Bryant at 69.
- ESPN BPI projects St. John’s winning by around 15 points.
These models indicate that while St. John’s is likely to win, they may not cover the spread comfortably given Bryant’s scoring ability.
Predicted Scores
Based on our analysis and insights from multiple prediction models:
- St. John’s Red Storm: 86
- Bryant Bulldogs: 69
This predicted score aligns well with trends suggesting that while St. John’s will likely win, covering a spread of over twenty points may be challenging due to Bryant’s offensive capabilities.
Conclusion
As we gear up for this exciting matchup between the Bryant Bulldogs and the St. John’s Red Storm, it’s clear that both teams bring distinct strengths to the court—St. John’s has a solid home record and offensive efficiency, and Bryant has explosive scoring potential and three-point shooting prowess.
Betting on Bryant +22.5 not only offers an opportunity for value but also reflects an understanding of their capability to compete even against higher-ranked opponents like St. John’s.
PICK: Bulldogs +22.5
