Syracuse basketball vs. St. John’s odds, prediction and how to watch

Syracuse basketball captured a thrilling 74-71 overtime victory against Atlantic 10 Conference squad Richmond on Monday night, and now the Orange will suit up in the championship game of the 2022 Empire Classic in New York City on Tuesday evening versus former Big East Conference rival St. John’s.

In its win over the Spiders (2-3), the ‘Cuse (3-1) absolutely clamped down on defense toward the end of regulation and in the overtime period. Senior shooting guard Joe Girard III was tremendous, notching 31 points on 12-of-24 shooting from the field.

Freshman point guard Judah Mintz, with his 16 points, four assists and three steals, was terrific. Freshman forward Chris Bell (11) points had his coming-out-party for the Orange, while senior center Jesse Edwards (10 points, eight rebounds and a ridiculous six blocks) was imposing in the interior.

After falling to Colgate in a dominating manner at home a week ago, Syracuse basketball has bounced back nicely with triumphs over Colonial Athletic Association member Northeastern and now Richmond.

Up next in the title contest of this season’s Empire Classic is a daunting date with St. John’s (5-0), which on Monday night defeated American Athletic Conference group Temple, 78-72.

Syracuse basketball vs. St. John’s odds

When I published this column, actionnetwork.com had the Orange as a 1.5-point betting underdog against the Red Storm. The over/under was set at 152.0 points.

Syracuse basketball vs. St. John’s prediction

All-time, the Orange is 51-40 versus the Red Storm, per orangehoops.org. Their most recent collision together was an ugly one for the ‘Cuse, as St. John’s crushed Syracuse basketball, 93-60 on the Hill, in December of 2016.

To date in this young 2022-23 stanza, the Red Storm has beaten Merrimack, Lafayette, Central Connecticut, Nebraska and Temple.

So far in the present term, St. John’s averages nearly 84 points per game, which means the ‘Cuse defense better be on point in this non-conference encounter. The Red Storm connects on roughly 50 percent from the field as a whole, compiles around 10 steals per contest, and it holds nearly a six-rebound edge per game as compared to Syracuse basketball.

Additionally, St. John’s shares the ball quite well on offense, tallying 18 assists per affair. According to ESPN statistics, Richmond dominated the Orange on the glass, to the tune of 44-27. If the ‘Cuse wants to knock off the Red Storm from the ranks of the unbeaten, Syracuse basketball cannot get destroyed on the boards again.

I think this is going to be a fabulous match-up between St. John’s and the Orange. An old-school, Big East bout. I’m torn about which squad to pick, but given the data points, I’ll take the Red Storm in this one. Naturally, I hope that I’m wrong.

Injuries, how to watch, live stream, next game
On the injury front, I’m not aware of any significant injuries to note as the Orange aims for its fourth victory of the 2022-23 stanza. Certainly, we’ll stay on top of this topic throughout the current term.

Syracuse basketball and St. John’s are scheduled to tip off beginning at around 9 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 22, from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. ESPN2 will provide television coverage.

For Syracuse basketball and Red Storm fans who want to stream this game, you can check it out on fuboTV.

After the Orange battles St. John’s, Syracuse basketball will return to the JMA Wireless Dome to host America East Conference member Bryant starting at 4 pm on Saturday, Nov. 26. The ACC Network Extra will provide live-streaming coverage of this non-conference affair.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.