Butler vs St. John's Picks and Prediction – 1/4/2025

The Butler Bulldogs (7-7, 0-3) head to Carnesecca Arena to face the St. John's Red Storm (11-3, 2-1) in a Big East matchup. Butler is looking to snap a six-game losing streak after falling 73-65 to Villanova, while St. John's aims to rebound from a narrow 57-56 loss to Creighton. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

Butler has struggled offensively, averaging 72.5 points per game while shooting 44.7% from the field. Jahmyl Telfort leads the team with 16.1 points per game, hitting 45.7% of his shots and 78.6% from the free-throw line. Andre Screen provides some stability inside, averaging 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per contest. However, Butler has lacked consistency, evidenced by losses in the last six outings. 

Defensively, the Bulldogs are allowing 69.6 points per game but have struggled to disrupt offenses, averaging only 3.2 steals and 3.6 blocks per game. Despite some defensive presence in the paint with Screen, Butler’s inability to generate turnovers has been a glaring issue. The Bulldogs’ rebounding average of 35.4 per game highlights struggles to control the boards against more physical teams. 

St. John's Red Storm enters the game with confidence, boasting an 82.7 points-per-game average while shooting 47.5% from the field. RJ Luis Jr. leads the scoring effort with 16.3 points per game, supported by Deivon Smith’s 4.9 assists and 2.1 steals per contest. Zuby Ejiofor’s dominance on the glass, averaging 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks, complements the Red Storm’s aggressive offensive approach.

Defensively, St. John's holds opponents to 67.5 points per game, relying on athleticism and pressure to force turnovers. The team’s 9.6 steals per game highlight an ability to disrupt offenses and create transition opportunities. Strong rim protection, led by Ejiofor, adds another part to the strong defense. 

St. John’s combination of scoring and defensive tenacity makes them the clear favorite. Butler’s offensive inconsistency and rebounding struggles create a significant mismatch, especially against a Red Storm team that thrives in transition. Expect St. John’s to dominate the paint and control the tempo en route to a comfortable victory. Final Score Prediction: St. John's Red Storm wins and covers 88-68