St. John’s looks to keep surge going vs. Providence: Time, TV channel, watch online, odds

How to Watch

Time: 2 p.m. ET

TV: FS1

Watch Online: Fox Sports Go

Odds

Spread: Providence -1.5

Total: 145.5

Moneyline: Providence -108 | St. John’s -108

The St. John’s Red Storm are rolling.

Heading into play on Saturday, the Johnnies are 6-1 over their last seven games. They’re on the heels of drubbing the mighty Villanova Wildcats, and are seemingly gaining confidence with each passing game. They’ll be facing a reeling Providence Friars squad on Saturday in a game featuring two teams spiraling in different directions.

Providence has been sluggish of late. Since the calendar turned to 2021, they’ve accrued a mere 2-6 record. They’ve eaten two losses in a row to the Georgetown Hoyas and Seton Hall Pirates. This two-game skid comes after a three-game losing streak enveloped their start to the new year. It’s “New Year, New Me” for the Friars but not in an ideal way. They were 7-3 after their 71-55 win over the Butler Bulldogs on December 30. 2021 has not brought them good tidings, and Saturday’s matchup may keep that trend going.

The Red Storm have been kicking butt on defense. Through their current five-game winning streak, the Johnnies have allowed more than 75 points just once — 78 to Utah Valley in an 18-point win on January 23. They allowed less than 70 points twice in the last three games, 68 to the DePaul Blue Demons, 59 to Villanova. Furthermore, their defense has kept buckets to a minimum. In their last five games, they’ve allowed marks of 40 percent, 60 percent, 38.6 percent, 42.1 percent and 32.2 percent from the floor. In addition, they’ve allowed a mark of over 30 percent from the perimeter just twice, and have allowed under 30 percent in the last three games.

With regards to that note, it should be noted that the Friars have one of the worst 3-point offenses in the nation. They’ve been solid in Big East play, with a mark of 36.1 percent. But it will remain interesting to see if they can crack that code. The latest trends would suggest that they would not though, as the offense has been poor over this woeful stretch.

I’m intrigued by this game. Providence has slid, but they have protected home court well. They were blown out by Seton Hall on Wednesday, but that was their first loss at Alumni Hall by more than two points. They had otherwise gone 5-1 in their on-campus dwelling. Away from New York, St. John’s hasn’t played as well. They are 4-5 in games that are road or neutral. In true road games, they’ve gone 3-3, those three wins rallied over this big-time stretch. Additionally, St. John’s has covered in each of their last seven games, while Providence is 4-2 ATS at home (per VegasInsider).