Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information.

Access the St. John's beat like never before

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting withZach Braziller about the inside buzz on St. John’s.

St. John’s continues its fairytale season with a showdown against Marquette in Friday’s Big East semifinal. 

There were concerns that the Red Storm would feel the pressure of being the No. 1 seed against a tough Butler squad in Thursday’s quarterfinal, but St. John’s played the role of favorite perfectly.

The Johnnies raced ahead and never looked back.

RJ Luis looked every bit the Big East Player of the Year with 20 points and seven rebounds, but the real story was St. John’s dominance in the paint.

The Red Storm outscored Butler, 44-18, down low.

All of this added up to a sweat-free cover for St. John’s as a 12.5-point favorite.

The bookmakers don’t see things coming quite as easy for St. John’s against Marquette, as the Red Storm have been installed as a four-point favorite.

Read our analysis for Friday’s massive tilt at Madison Square Garden and check out an exclusive Bet365 bonus code.

Take advantage of the Bet365 bonus code NYPBET and get a $150 bonus for betting $5 on St. John’s vs. Marquette.

(6:30 p.m. ET, FOX)

St. John’s has been one of the best stories in college basketball, but this is not some fluke. Not only do the Red Storm boast a terrific statistical profile – especially on defense – but they’re also winning games in different ways.

Rick Pitino’s charges have been battle tested in close games, they’ve overwhelmed lesser opposition, and they’ve handled the pressure in huge moments.

Statistically speaking, Marquette grades out as a strong-but-not-elite team at both ends of the court. KenPom has the Golden Eagles as the 29th-best offensive unit in the country and they sit one spot better on defense. 

The Red Storm’s profile is a bit different.

There’s no question that the defense drives the bus for St. John’s. KenPom’s model has the Johnnies as the second-best defensive team in the country.

It’s fair to suggest that St. John’s may be a bit overvalued due to the feel-good nature of this season.

The Red Storm will also have a raucous crowd at MSG behind them, but that is already baked into the number.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST BIG EAST STANDINGS AND ST. JOHN’S STATS

Rather than target the spread in Friday’s headliner at MSG, we’ll look to the total for some value.

St. John’s defense was smothering against Butler and should have plenty of success in front of a rabid audience.

Pick: Under 143 (-110, Bet365)

Looking forward to sweating the under at the World’s Most Famous Arena?

Get in on the action at bet365 with their generous bonus offer.

Do you think this one sails over the total?

Fade this pick and use the NYPBET bonus code to get $150 in free bets at bet365. All you have to do is click the link above.

Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.