Providence Friars vs Saint John's Red Storm Picks and Predictions for Thursday March 12 2026
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The Providence Friars and Saint John’s Red Storm meet in the Big East Tournament Quarterfinal on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:00 PM ET with television coverage on Peacock. Saint John’s enters this matchup as a -10.5 favorite, while Providence is listed at +10.5, and the total for the game is 160.5 according to DraftKings. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily predictions and betting insights.
Friars Look to Carry Momentum into Quarterfinal Clash
The Providence Friars enter this matchup with a 15-17 overall record and a 7-13 record in Big East play this season. Providence advanced to the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament after defeating Butler 91-81 in the first round. Over their last five games, the Friars have recently won over Butler, Creighton, and Xavier, while also recently losing to Georgetown and Marquette.
Providence has been one of the higher-scoring teams in the conference this season, averaging 85.5 points per game while allowing 84.0 points per game. The Friars shoot 48% from the field, collect 38.8 rebounds per game, and average 14.1 assists per contest. Defensively, Providence contributes 4.0 blocks and 5.4 steals per game, relying on physical interior play and rebounding to stay competitive in high-scoring contests.
In their opening-round win over Butler, Stefan Vaaks led Providence with 28 points, shooting 9-of-16 from the field, while Ryan Mela controlled the boards with 9 rebounds. The Friars shot an impressive 52% from the field and 52% from three-point range in that victory. The key factor entering this matchup will be Providence’s ability to maintain that shooting efficiency on a short turnaround, as they face a rested Saint John’s squad that earned a bye into the quarterfinal round.
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Red Storm Enter Quarterfinals Well Rested
The Saint John’s Red Storm bring a 25-6 overall record and an 18-2 mark in Big East play into the Big East Tournament quarterfinals after receiving a first-round bye. Over their last five games, Saint John’s has recently won over Seton Hall, Georgetown, Villanova, and Creighton, while also recently losing to Connecticut.
Saint John’s averages 81.9 points per game while allowing just 70.5 points per game, reflecting one of the more balanced teams in the conference. The Red Storm shoot 45% from the field, pull down 38.7 rebounds per game, and average 16.4 assists per contest. Defensively, Saint John’s contributes 4.8 blocks and 7.9 steals per game, using pressure defense and athleticism to disrupt opposing offenses.
In their most recent win, Saint John’s defeated Seton Hall 72-65, with Zuby Ejiofor leading the way with 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting while also playing a major role inside. Bryce Hopkins led the team on the glass with 7 rebounds in that contest. The Red Storm shot 50% from the field in the victory and limited Seton Hall to just 41% shooting, showcasing the defensive intensity that has been a defining trait of their season. With the extra rest from their tournament bye, Saint John’s will look to dictate tempo and apply defensive pressure against a Providence team that played the day before.
Providence Friars vs Saint John's Red Storm Pick
Providence Friars vs Saint John's Red Storm Spread Pick
- Pick: Saint John's Red Storm -10.5
Saint John’s enters this matchup with a significant rest advantage and has been one of the most consistent teams in the Big East all season. Providence showed strong offensive rhythm in its first-round win, but facing a deeper and more defensively disciplined Saint John’s team on short rest is a difficult task. I expect the Red Storm’s defensive pressure and balanced offense to gradually pull away in the second half.
Providence Friars vs Saint John's Red Storm Total Pick
- Pick: Over 160.5
I like the over in this matchup because Providence plays at a fast pace and has been involved in several high-scoring games throughout the season. The Friars just scored 91 points in their tournament opener, while Saint John’s has the offensive talent to push the pace if needed. With Providence likely needing to score to stay competitive, I expect this game to turn into an up-tempo contest that pushes the total past the number.
Final Score Prediction: Saint John's 87, Providence 78
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