by Chuck Sommers
Sunday, Jan 16, 2022
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Where to watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: NL
BetMGM: St. John's -10.5
Caesars: St. John's -10.5
Season record
Georgetown: 6-7 (0-2 Big East)
St. John's: 9-5 (1-2 Big East)
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Georgetown - St. John's preview, analysis and prediction
Something’s got to give in this battle of struggling Big East teams, but when in doubt, take the team that scores more. I like the St. John’s Red Storm to get back on track against the Georgetown Hoyas on Sunday.
St. John’s has lost three of four but has tough losses under its belt on the road against UConn, Providence and Pittsburgh, all on the road. The Red Storm are playing only their fourth game since returning from a COVID pause within the program and conference.
The Red Storm may have lost those three road games, but all were relatively close with the latest against the Huskies going to overtime, where UConn pulled away with an 8-point win in the extra frame. Julian Champagnie led the way with a game-high 27 points; St. John’s leading scorer played all but one minute in that game.
The junior guard from Brooklyn has continued a stellar season by averaging 21.2 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting close to 46 percent from the floor. Not a bad way to bounce back after being held to 11 points against No. 16 Providence the game prior.
Before that against DePaul, Champagnie had 34 points and 16 rebounds in 35 minutes. He’s had to play almost every minute because of the lack of depth from St. John’s.
If it were any other opponent, I’d be weary of picking the Red Storm. When they pull off three straight overs, St. John’s is 1-6 against the spread over the past three seasons and are only 12-10 ATS following a loss to a conference opponent. Even this season alone, St. John’s finds itself 1-5 after not covering in four or five of its last six games.
But the fact that it’s Georgetown helps a lot. The Hoyas have lost three in a row and dropped their first two in conference play via routs; losing by 28 at home against Marquette, followed by 14 at home against Butler. Safe to say that this season has not been the best for Patrick Ewing’s group.
January has not been kind to Georgetown the past three seasons, as the Hoyas are 3-10 straight up when the new year hits. In their last 21 road games, the Hoyas are just 6-15 straight up while 8-15 straight up off a conference rival.
Hopefully when you watch this game, you feel the nostalgia levels peak of Big East basketball of yesteryear. Usually it was Georgetown dominating in these times, but give me St. John’s at home. The Hoyas need more than a prayer at this point. St. John’s by 17
Betting trends
Georgetown is 1-6 ATS in its last seven as an underdog.
Georgetown is 1-5 ATS in its last six after failing to cover the game prior.
St. John's is 1-8 ATS in its last nine home games.
St. John's is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 overall.
The favorite is 13-6-1 ATS in the last 20 meetings, and the home team is 13-6-1 in the last 20.
Projected starting lineup
Georgetown:
PG: Donald Carey
SG: Aminu Mohammed
SF: Collin Holloway
PF: Kaiden Rice
C: Malcolm Wilson
SF: Collin Holloway
PF: Kaiden Rice
C: Malcolm Wilson
St. John's:
PG: Posh Alexander
SG: Montez Mathis
SF: Dylan Addae-Wusu
PF: Julian Champagnie
C: Joel Soriano
SF: Dylan Addae-Wusu
PF: Julian Champagnie
C: Joel Soriano
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
