Big East Battle: St. John’s Looks to Stay Perfect at Home, Marquette Aims to Rebound

It’s a top-tier Big East showdown at Madison Square Garden as No. 12 St. John’s (19-3, 10-1 Big East) takes on No. 11 Marquette (18-4, 9-2 Big East) in a game loaded with playoff implications.

St. John’s has been an absolute force at home, boasting a 14-0 record while riding an eight-game winning streak. Meanwhile, Marquette is licking its wounds after a 77-69 loss to UConn, where they got buried early and couldn’t climb out of a 22-point first-half hole.

With conference supremacy and NCAA Tournament seeding on the line, expect a high-energy, fast-paced battle between these two contenders.

St. John’s: Can They Keep Their MSG Magic Alive?

Dominating at The Garden

Madison Square Garden has been St. John’s playground this season. They’ve won seven straight at the venue, including a thriller against Providence (68-66) that ended with Kadary Richmond’s clutch game-winner.

Coach Rick Pitino on Richmond’s late-game heroics:
“We were going to win it or lose it with Kadary’s shot. He was feeling it all game, and I trust him in those moments.”

Player to Watch: Kadary Richmond (11.9 PPG, 4.8 APG, 2.0 SPG)

Richmond has been on fire, shooting 66.7% (30-for-45) over his last four games. He’s the heartbeat of this team, and when he’s rolling, St. John’s is tough to beat.

Balanced Offensive Attack

St. John’s doesn’t rely on just one guy—they’ve got multiple weapons:

RJ Luis (17.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG) – The team’s go-to scorer.
Zuby Ejiofor (14.4 PPG, 8.1 RPG) – The big man controlling the glass.
Kadary Richmond (11.9 PPG, 4.8 APG) – The playmaker and defensive disruptor.

Defense Wins Games

The Red Storm shut down Providence, holding them to just 38% shooting and limiting their three-point looks (7-for-21). That kind of defensive energy will be key against Marquette’s high-powered offense.

Marquette: Can They Bounce Back After the UConn Collapse?

What Went Wrong Against UConn?

Marquette’s 77-69 loss to UConn exposed two big flaws:
They started ice-cold, falling behind by 22 points in the first half.
Their defense couldn’t get stops, allowing too many easy buckets and second-chance points.

Coach Shaka Smart on the team’s struggles:
“Beating Marquette is a quality win for teams, and they play with desperation against us. We have to embrace that challenge.”

Player to Watch: Kam Jones (19.0 PPG, 6.2 APG)

Jones is Marquette’s offensive engine, dropping 22 points in their loss to UConn. If Marquette is going to win at MSG, he’ll need to set the tone early.

Other Key Contributors:

Chase Ross (9.5 PPG, 41% 3PT) – Sharp shooter who had 19 points vs. UConn.
David Joplin (14.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG) – Needs to step up on the boards against St. John’s frontcourt.
Solo Ball (25 points, 11 rebounds vs. UConn) – If he keeps shooting well, Marquette becomes even more dangerous.

Marquette’s Road Performance: Can They Handle the MSG Pressure?

Marquette has been solid on the road recently, winning three straight away games while averaging 79 PPG. But playing at The Garden, against an undefeated home team, is a different challenge.

Key Stats & Matchup Breakdown

Category	St. John’s Red Storm	Marquette Golden Eagles
Record (Big East)	19-3 (10-1)	18-4 (9-2)
Scoring Offense	78.6 PPG	81.2 PPG
Scoring Defense	68.3 PPG	71.8 PPG
Field Goal %	46.8%	48.1%
Three-Point %	35.1%	38.5%
Turnovers Forced	15.2	13.9
Home Record	14-0	6-3 (away)

Keys to Victory

What St. John’s Needs to Do:

Own the Paint: Ejiofor must dominate against Joplin.
Control the Pace: St. John’s can’t let Marquette get into transition.
Trust Kadary Richmond Late: He’s their go-to guy in crunch time.

What Marquette Needs to Do:

Start Fast: They can’t afford to dig another big hole like they did vs. UConn.
Win the Three-Point Battle: Chase Ross and Kam Jones need to knock down open looks.
Step Up Defensively: St. John’s thrives in close games—Marquette has to deny them second chances.

Betting Analysis & Prediction

Odds & Line Movement

Spread: St. John’s -3.5
Over/Under: 144.5
Moneyline: St. John’s -160 | Marquette +130

Recent Betting Trends:

St. John’s is 3-0 ATS in their last three home games.
Marquette is 2-1 ATS in their last three road games.
Both teams have hit the over in two of their last three games.

Final Score Prediction: St. John’s 77, Marquette 69

Best Bet: St. John’s covers -3.5
Over/Under: With both teams likely pushing the pace, take the OVER 144.5

FAQs

Why does this game matter so much?

It’s a battle for the top spot in the Big East and a major factor in NCAA Tournament seeding.

What went wrong for Marquette against UConn?

They fell behind early and struggled defensively, giving up too many easy baskets.

Who is the key player for St. John’s?

Kadary Richmond (11.9 PPG, 4.8 APG, 2.0 SPG) has been on fire, hitting 66.7% of his shots over his last four games.

Can Marquette pull off an upset?

If they hit their threes and avoid a slow start, they have a solid chance.

Who is favored to win?

St. John’s (-3.5) is the favorite, and they’re undefeated at home.

Where can I watch the game?

FS1 at 6:30 PM ET

St. John’s Red Storm vs Marquette Golden Eagles Picks and Predictions February 4th 2025

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