The St. John's Red Storm take on the Creighton Bluejays in Omaha, NE. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on Fox Sports 1.
Creighton is favored by 2.5 points on the spread with a price of 52 cents to win and the total set at 156.5 points on Fanatics Markets.
Here’s my St. John's vs. Creighton prediction and college basketball picks for January 10, 2026.
St. John's vs Creighton Prediction
My Pick: St. John's +2.5
My St. John's vs Creighton best bet is on the Red Storm to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
St. John's vs. Creighton Odds, Spread
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St. John's vs Creighton NCAAB Betting Preview
St. John's Basketball
St. John’s visits Omaha in a crucial Big East contest. The Johnnies sit just 50th nationally in the all-important “Wins Above Bubble” metric and are in desperate need of marquee wins.
Rick Pitino’s squad has just one victory against a top-50 KenPom opponent, though it's scored two solid road wins in conference play.
Creighton is in a similar shape resume-wise, though the Jays do have a massive win at Villanova. They look to stay within one game of UConn in the wide-open Big East standings.
The Johnnies’ glass edge could be the difference maker in this game. Ranking in the top 25 nationally in offensive rebounding rate, the Red Storm will look to batter the Jays and their smaller lineups on the boards.
Unfortunately, one of St. John’s key scoring avenues might be closed in this game. The Johnnies rank 30th nationally in free-throw attempt rate, but Greg McDermott's teams are famous for their ability to defend without fouling and rank third nationally in free-throw attempt rate allowed.
The offense will first run through transition for Pitino’s squad, who will look to create havoc and turn the Jays over.
In the half-court, it’s a lot of forcing the ball into the post to Zuby Ejiofor, ill-advised shots and then pounding the glass.
Creighton’s drop defense fits well against a Johnnies squad that lacks shooting, though if the Jays overplay the arc in other spots, St. John’s is sure to take advantage inside.
Creighton Basketball
Kansas State proved that the Jays can be mortal at home this season, and they face a tough task against a much more athletic and physical St. John’s squad.
Offensively, it’s all about the long ball for Creighton, who rank in the top 30 nationally in 3-point attempt rate. St. John’s has a long wing corps capable of running shooters off the line and into the middle to face lengthier bigs.
The Jays have a variety of methods through which they can score, including ball screens, isolation via Josh Dix or Nik Graves, and post-ups through Owen Freeman and Jasen Green, but the 3-point arc will determine their fate.
St. John's vs. Creighton Betting Analysis
The St. John’s athleticism edge should prove to be too much for the Jays in this game.
Length will bother shooters, pressure will bother ball handlers and the glass battle should be won by the more talented squad.
Pitino’s team needs this game like blood, and we’ll see if it can deliver.
My Pick: St. John's +2.5
