The second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament will feature a coaching battle for the ages as No. 10 seed Arkansas takes on No. 2 seed St. John’s on Saturday. John Calipari and Rick Pitino, two legendary coaches with deep tournament experience, will meet for the 27th time in their storied careers, with Calipari holding a slight 14-12 edge.
St. John’s enters the matchup as one of the nation’s most defensively dominant teams, while Arkansas looks to build on its momentum after a hard-fought win over No. 7 seed Kansas. The winner of this clash punches a ticket to the Sweet 16, where they will face the victor of the Drake-Texas Tech game.
Arkansas vs. St. John’s Betting Preview
All Arkansas vs. St. John’s odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Friday, March 22, 2025.
- Spread: St. John’s -6.5
- Moneyline: Arkansas +245, St. John’s -310
- Over/Under: 143.5 points
- Game Time: Saturday, March 22, 2025, 2:40 p.m. ET
- Location: Amica Mutual Pavilion | Providence, RI
- How to Watch: CBS
St. John’s enters the game on a 10-game winning streak, with a stellar 7-3 record ATS in those contests. The Red Storm boasts the nation’s top-ranked defense in adjusted efficiency, allowing 75 or more points in just two of their last 20 games.
Arkansas, meanwhile, is 3-2 ATS when playing as an underdog of 7.5 points or more this season and is coming off a strong performance against Kansas. With a fast-paced game likely on tap, the total of 144.5 points will be an important factor for bettors to watch.
Arkansas vs. St. John’s CSN Winning Probability
According to CSN’s advanced analytics, St. John’s has a 78% chance of victory, aligning closely with Vegas odds that heavily favor the Red Storm.
Arkansas has defied expectations as an underdog before, winning seven of 17 games outright in that role this season (41.2%). If the Razorbacks can dictate the tempo and get efficient offensive performances, they could make this a closer contest than expected.
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Prediction for Arkansas vs. St. John’s
This matchup hinges on whether Arkansas can break through the Red Storm’s elite defensive pressure. St. John’s has dominated opponents all season with its smothering defense, but Arkansas showed resilience in its victory over Kansas. The key player to watch will be St. John’s standout defense, which will aim to limit Arkansas’ transition opportunities.
Ultimately, St. John’s defense should prove too much for the Razorbacks to overcome. While Arkansas has been competitive in similar spots, the Red Storm’s consistency on both ends of the floor gives them the edge in this one.
Prediction: St. John’s 78, Arkansas 69
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