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St. John’s vs Quinnipiac Week 1 Betting Preview
The fifth-ranked St. John’s Red Storm begin their season Monday night against the Quinnipiac Bobcats at Carnesecca Arena in Queens. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.
Rick Pitino’s group carries national title expectations after a 31-5 campaign that ended in a second-round NCAA loss to Arkansas. Zuby Ejiofor, the Big East Preseason Player of the Year, returns as the focal point. Bryce Hopkins, Joson Sanon, Ian Jackson, and Dillon Mitchell headline a roster built to dominate the paint and the glass.
Quinnipiac arrives off consecutive MAAC regular-season titles but still seeks its first NCAA Tournament berth. Amarri Monroe, the league’s preseason player of the year, anchors a veteran lineup.
For more early-season matchups and power-conference previews, check the NCAA Basketball Preview
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Line Movement and Odds
According to the NCAA Odds page St. John’s opened as roughly –24.5 and climbed near –25.5 by Sunday afternoon. The total moved from 158 to 157 after early sharp action on the under. Public money leans toward the Red Storm spread, reflecting confidence in Pitino’s retooled offense.
Matchup Breakdown
St. John’s enters with frontcourt power and depth. Ejiofor’s inside efficiency, combined with Hopkins’ two-way versatility, creates a mismatch against a smaller Bobcats rotation. Sanon’s shooting adds spacing, and Jackson’s transition play should raise tempo.
Quinnipiac will try to counter with discipline and rebounding. The Bobcats averaged 38 boards per game last season but struggled against high-major athleticism. Expect them to mix zone looks to slow the pace.
Your key edge as a bettor: the Red Storm’s top-ten efficiency in second-chance points a year ago versus Quinnipiac’s sub-300 ranking in defensive rebound rate.
Find more trend analysis and game angles in the Expert Betting Guide
Injuries and Conditions
St. John’s – No major injuries reported entering Monday. Pitino’s rotation is fully available.
Quinnipiac – Healthy roster, no starters on the injury list.
Check each team’s game-day status through their SAS team pages
This game is indoors at Carnesecca Arena, so no weather impact.
Best Bets and Prediction
St. John’s covers large spreads at home, going 12-6 ATS in Queens last year. Quinnipiac is 2-6 ATS vs top-25 teams since 2023. The market’s early dip in total suggests books expect the Red Storm defense to tighten after their high-scoring exhibition.
Projected Score: St. John’s 88, Quinnipiac 64
Best Bet: St. John’s –25 (if ≤ 25.5)
Lean: Under 157
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