The No. 17 St. John’s Red Storm (21-5, 14-1 Big East) prepare to clash with the Creighton Bluejays (14-13, 8-8 Big East) in a high-stakes matchup set for Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 12 p.m. ET. With St. John’s riding a five-game home win streak and entering as double-digit favorites, the Red Storm are favored by 12.5 points. The game’s over/under is set at 155.5, indicating a potentially high-scoring contest at Madison Square Garden.
Viewing Details and Betting Odds
- When: Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 12 p.m. ET
- Where: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: FOXSports.com, FOX Sports App
Betting Information
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Odds | Underdog Odds | Total | Over Odds | Under Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Storm | -12.5 | -114 | -108 | 155.5 | -114 | -110 | -943 | +603 |
The current betting landscape indicates that St. John’s has a significant 90.4% chance to win based on the moneyline, while Creighton’s implied probability of victory sits at merely 14.2%. This disparity showcases a critical strategic positioning for the Red Storm as they aim to leverage their home advantage.
Strategic Overview and Team Analysis
St. John’s comes into this game boasting a potent offense, averaging 84.0 points per game, positioning them at 30th nationally. Their defensive prowess, however, has been lackluster, allowing 72.0 points on average, placing them at 127th. This duality offers a view into their strategic approach: outscoring opponents rather than focusing defensively. Star players such as Zuby Ejiofor, averaging 16.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, are pivotal to maintaining this offensive momentum.
On the contrary, Creighton’s stats reveal a contrasting narrative. The Bluejays average 76.6 points with a defensive record yielding 75.5 points against. The team’s reliance on three-point shooting, hitting 10.1 per game, positions them as a potential threat if they can capitalize on St. John’s defensive gaps.
Historical Context and Recent Trends
| Date | Favorite | Spread | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/10/2026 | Red Storm | -1.5 | 90-73 STJOHN |
| 03/15/2025 | Red Storm | -6.5 | 82-66 STJOHN |
| 02/16/2025 | Red Storm | -6.5 | 79-73 STJOHN |
In recent encounters, St. John’s has consistently emerged victorious against Creighton, solidifying their mental edge entering this matchup. The Red Storm’s ability to cover the spread, especially as large favorites, emphasizes their readiness to maintain dominance at home.
Projected Outcomes
As we look towards the future, several developments warrant attention:
- St. John’s Continued Dominance: Assuming they maintain this trajectory, St. John’s could solidify their position as a top seed in the Big East, shaping their NCAA tournament prospects.
- Creighton’s Tactical Adjustments: If Creighton can leverage their three-point shooting, they might pose a greater challenge, potentially shifting the dynamics for future matchups.
- Impact of Key Players: The performance of key players, especially Ejiofor for St. John’s and Dix for Creighton, will be crucial in determining not only this game’s outcome but also their respective playoff ambitions.
Ultimately, this matchup extends beyond mere statistics; it encapsulates the strategic ambitions of both teams and how they navigate their aspirations amidst the high-stakes scenarios typical of the Big East conference.
