Northern Iowa vs St. John’s Picks and Predictions for Friday March 20 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 03/20/2026, 01:00 AM ET

The Northern Iowa Panthers and St. John’s Red Storm will meet on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Viejas Arena in San Diego, California. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:10 PM ET with television coverage on CBS. St. John’s enters this matchup as a -535 favorite with a total set at 131.5 and a spread of St. John’s -9.5. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more expert predictions and daily betting insights.

Panthers Ride Strong Defensive Form into Tournament

Northern Iowa comes into this game with a 23-12 overall record and has been competitive away from home this season. In their last five games, the Panthers have recently won over UIC, Bradley, Illinois State, Evansville, and Drake, entering the tournament on an impressive winning streak.

Offensively, Northern Iowa averages 69.9 points per game while allowing just 61.3 points per contest. They shoot 48% from the field and collect 31.9 rebounds per game while adding 15.0 assists per contest. Defensively, they contribute 6.5 steals and 3.1 blocks per game.

The Panthers’ biggest strength is their defensive discipline and efficiency. They limit opponents’ scoring opportunities and are comfortable playing in slower-paced, low-scoring games.

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Red Storm Bring Momentum and Balance

St. John’s enters this matchup with a 28-6 overall record and has been strong on neutral courts this season. In their last five games, the Red Storm have recently won over UConn, Seton Hall twice, Providence, and Georgetown, showing excellent momentum entering the tournament.

The Red Storm average 81.6 points per game while allowing 70.0 points per contest. They shoot 45% from the field and dominate the glass with 38.6 rebounds per game while adding 16.3 assists per contest. Defensively, they contribute 7.9 steals and 4.9 blocks per game.

St. John’s biggest strength is their balance on both ends of the floor. They can score efficiently while also applying defensive pressure, making them a difficult matchup for most teams.

Northern Iowa vs St. John’s Pick

Northern Iowa vs St. John’s Spread Pick

St. John’s -9.5

St. John’s has the offensive firepower and depth to break through Northern Iowa’s defense over time. While the Panthers can keep things close early, the Red Storm should pull away late.

Northern Iowa vs St. John’s Total Pick

Under 131.5

I like the under in this game because Northern Iowa plays at a slower pace and emphasizes defense. That style could limit scoring opportunities and keep the total lower.

Final Score Prediction: St. John’s 72, Northern Iowa 60

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