March Madness: St. John's vs. Northern Iowa Picks

March Madness Showdown: St. John's Eyes Advancement Against UNI

The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, affectionately known as March Madness, is set to ignite with a compelling first-round matchup in the East Region. On Friday, March 20, the No. 5 seed St. John's Red Storm will lock horns with the No. 12 seed Northern Iowa Panthers. This highly anticipated game is slated to tip off at 4:10 p.m. MST and will be broadcast live on CBS, with streaming options available through FUBO. Fans eager to witness the unfolding drama and see which team will punch its ticket to the second round will be tuning in to this exciting clash.

For those looking to gain an edge in their March Madness brackets, expert predictions and analyses are readily available. The betting lines offer a glimpse into the perceived strengths of each team. St. John's enters the contest as a significant 10.5-point favorite, a testament to their consistent performance throughout the season. The Red Storm are also heavily favored on the moneyline at -625, indicating a strong probability of victory. Conversely, Northern Iowa, the underdog, stands at +450 on the moneyline, signaling a more challenging path to advancement. The over/under for the game is set at a relatively low 131.5 points, suggesting that oddsmakers anticipate a tightly contested, potentially defensive battle.

This matchup is just one of many thrilling contests scheduled for the opening round of the tournament. The landscape of March Madness is vast, with numerous games promising excitement and upsets.

A Glimpse at Other Key Matchups and Predictions

The opening round of March Madness is packed with intriguing matchups across various regions. Here's a look at some of the other notable games and the predictions surrounding them:

Ohio State vs. TCU: A battle between two competitive programs, with expectations for a hard-fought game.
Nebraska vs. Troy: This contest will likely see differing styles of play, making it a fascinating watch.
Louisville vs. South Florida: Both teams will be eager to make a statement in the tournament's early stages.
Wisconsin vs. High Point: Wisconsin, often a tournament regular, will aim to assert its experience against a determined High Point squad.
Duke vs. Siena: A classic matchup that always draws significant attention, with Duke often considered a strong contender.
Vanderbilt vs. McNeese: This game presents an opportunity for both teams to begin their tournament journey with a victory.
Michigan State vs. North Dakota State: Michigan State, a perennial tournament participant, will face a North Dakota State team looking to cause an upset.
Arkansas vs. Hawaii: A cross-country trip for Hawaii adds an interesting dynamic to this first-round game.
North Carolina vs. VCU: UNC, a storied program, will need to be at its best against a talented VCU team known for its aggressive style.
Saint Mary's vs. Texas A&M: This game features two teams with solid resumes, promising a competitive encounter.
Illinois vs. Penn: Illinois will be looking to leverage its strengths against a Penn team that could be a tricky opponent.
Georgia vs. Saint Louis: Both teams will be aiming to start their tournament run on a winning note.
Gonzaga vs. Kennesaw State: Gonzaga, often a top seed, will be heavily favored, but Kennesaw State will be playing with nothing to lose.
Houston vs. Idaho: Houston enters as a strong contender and will be looking to dominate this matchup.
Kentucky vs. Santa Clara: Kentucky, another program with a rich tournament history, will be a favorite in this game.
Texas Tech vs. Akron: This game offers a chance for both teams to advance and build momentum.
Arizona vs. Long Island: Arizona will likely be a strong favorite, aiming to showcase its offensive firepower.
Virginia vs. Wright State: Virginia's defensive prowess will be put to the test against Wright State's offensive capabilities.
Iowa State vs. Tennessee State: This matchup presents an opportunity for both teams to make their mark in the tournament.
Alabama vs. Hofstra: Alabama will be looking to continue its strong season into the tournament.
Villanova vs. Utah State: A classic Cinderella-type matchup, where an upset is always a possibility.
Clemson vs. Iowa: Both teams will be eager to advance and prove their worth in the bracket.
St. John's vs. UNI: As detailed above, this is a key East Region matchup.
UCLA vs. UCF: UCLA, a team with recent Final Four experience, will be a strong contender.
Purdue vs. Queens: Purdue, often a high seed, will be expected to advance with a strong performance.
Kansas vs. Cal Baptist: Kansas, a perennial powerhouse, will be a favorite in its opening-round game.
UConn vs. Furman: UConn, a strong program, will be looking to begin its tournament run with a victory.
Miami vs. Missouri: This game could be a close contest with both teams aiming for an early upset.

The Republic's collective score predictions offer further insight into the expected outcomes of these thrilling first-round games. For fans who prefer to stream the action live, the St. John's vs. Northern Iowa game is accessible via FUBO, which often offers a free trial period for new subscribers.

The Arizona Republic: St. John's 73, Northern Iowa 61

Jeremy Cluff writes: "St. John's won the Big East and went 28-6 on the season. It has won six straight, including a 20-point win over UConn in the Big East tournament title game. And it is a No. 5 seed? Talk about motivation for Rick Pitino's team."

Dimers: St. John's 73, Northern Iowa 62

It writes: "After extensive simulations, our model gives Northern Iowa a win probability of 13%, while St. John's has a win probability of 87%."

ESPN: St. John's has an 85% chance to beat Northern Iowa

The site gives the Panthers a 15% shot at defeating the Red Storm in the NCAA Tournament March Madness first-round game.

Join the madness: USA TODAY Bracket Challenge | Survivor Pool | Printable bracket

Bookies.com: Bet Northern Iowa with the points vs St. John's

Bill Speros writes: "The Johnnies smoked UConn 72-52 at MSG Saturday to repeat as Big East champs. The reward for Rick Pitino's team is a No. 5 seed, 2,852 miles away from home. No. 12 seeds love sneaky first-round covers. Northern Iowa's big, physical play matches well here. Take the points."

ESPN: Pick St. John's to win against Northern Iowa in NCAA brackets

Jay Bilas writes: "There is usually an upset alert in the 5 vs. 12 game, but St. John's is too strong -- and Rick Pitino does not often lose first-round games. The Red Storm are underseeded. Take the Johnnies."

vsin.com: St. John's 73.5, Northern Iowa 62.3

It writes: "Here’s the thing: St. John’s already struggles to generate clean looks. A below-average shooting team running into a top-25 eFG% defense is not a great equation, and if the Red Storm can’t get to the offensive glass — where they’ve been strong all season — they’re going to find scoring a grind. Northern Iowa’s flaws are real: they’re poor on the offensive glass and have had issues at the free-throw line all year. But eight of their 12 losses came by six or fewer points, which tells you this is a team that competes in every game regardless of the opponent. Pitino’s squad may have the bigger names, but Jacobson’s team has the stylistic tools to make this one of the more uncomfortable nights in the first round. Don’t sleep on the Panthers."

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@GOHANS MIND. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: St. John's vs Northern Iowa picks, predictions for March Madness game

As the tournament progresses, the narratives will undoubtedly deepen, with Cinderella stories emerging and perennial favorites battling for supremacy. The unpredictable nature of March Madness ensures that every game is worth watching, as the quest for the national championship unfolds one thrilling contest at a time. The St. John's and Northern Iowa game is poised to be a captivating start to the tournament for fans of both programs and college basketball enthusiasts alike.

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