Kentucky Wildcats vs St. John’s Red Storm Picks and Predictions December 20th 2025

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The Kentucky Wildcats enter 7-4 and look to secure a marquee win, while the St. John’s Red Storm aim to extend their ranked momentum at No. 22. Bettors will weigh Kentucky’s rebounding and neutral-site resilience against St. John’s offensive firepower in the CBS Sports Classic.

Line Movement and Odds

St. John’s opened as a slight favorite, with the line reflecting confidence in their recent form. Current market:

  • St. John’s Spread: -3.5 (-110)
  • Kentucky Spread: +3.5 (-115)
  • St. John’s MoneyLine: -163
  • Kentucky MoneyLine: +132
  • Total: 154.5 (-110)

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Matchup Breakdown

Kentucky Outlook

Kentucky averages 84.3 points per game with Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen leading the offense. Jaland Lowe’s return adds depth, while Mouhamed Dioubate provides rebounding presence. Their 41.4 rebounds per game highlight control of the boards. Their 7-4 record includes resilience in neutral-site contests, though struggles against ranked foes remain a concern.

St. John’s Outlook

St. John’s averages 87.9 points per game with Bryce Hopkins and Zuby Ejiofor leading a balanced attack. Dylan Darling’s breakout performance against DePaul adds perimeter confidence. Their free-throw efficiency (20.8 makes per game, 12th nationally) underscores offensive reliability. Their 7-3 record and three-game win streak reflect momentum heading into Atlanta.

Key Matchup / Path to Victory

The game hinges on rebounding and perimeter shooting. Kentucky must lean on Dioubate and Lowe to control boards and pace, while St. John’s needs Hopkins and Darling to maintain offensive rhythm. If Kentucky limits turnovers, their depth could keep the margin tight.

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Injuries / Availability

Kentucky: Jaland Lowe continues to recover from a shoulder injury but is expected to contribute.

St. John’s: No confirmed injury updates available. You can check each team’s injury report for the latest status.

Environment

State Farm Arena in Atlanta provides a neutral-site setting, though Kentucky’s fan base presence (“Catlanta”) offers a crowd edge. St. John’s faces their first true road-style test of the season.

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Best Bets and Prediction

Projected Final Score: St. John’s 88, Kentucky 86

  • Kentucky +3.5 → Best Bet. Their rebounding and neutral-site resilience make them a strong cover candidate.
  • Over 154.5 → Total play. Both teams’ scoring averages point toward a combined score above the line.

St. John’s offensive depth should carry them to a narrow win, but Kentucky’s rebounding keeps the spread in play. Expect a competitive, high-scoring contest trending over the total.

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