St. John’s and Kansas will meet in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. The Red Storm are looking to get back to the second weekend of the tournament after falling short in the second round in 2025, while Kansas aims to get to another Sweet 16 under Bill Self. Here, I break down this matchup and give you my St. John’s vs Kansas prediction in the betting markets.
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: St. John’s Red Storm vs Kansas Jayhawks
- Date & Time: Sunday, March 22, 2026, 5:15 PM ET
- Venue: Viejas Arena, San Diego, California
- Broadcast: CBS
Key Storylines
St. John’s enters this contest riding a wave of momentum after a 79-53 win in the opening round over Northern Iowa. The Red Storm controlled that game from the opening tip, showcasing efficient offense and strong interior defense. They have now won seven straight games and appear to be peaking at the right time.
Kansas, meanwhile, advanced with a 68-60 victory that was more competitive than expected against Cal Baptist. The Jayhawks built a large lead before allowing their opponent back into the game late, raising some concerns about consistency.
The key deciding factor here is tempo and efficiency. St. John’s thrives when it controls the pace and plays through its frontcourt, while Kansas relies heavily on perimeter scoring and dynamic guard play. Whichever team dictates the rhythm is likely to control the outcome.
Key Players
Kansas Key Players
- Darryn Peterson: The freshman guard erupted for 28 points in the first round, showing elite scoring ability and confidence in big moments. He is the focal point of the Kansas offense and can take over games when needed.
- Tre White: A steady playmaker who added 12 points and 7 assists last game. His ability to create opportunities for teammates is vital against a disciplined defense.
- Bryson Tiller: A presence on the glass, pulling down 10 rebounds in the opener. His rebounding will be crucial against a physical St. John’s frontcourt.
St. John’s Key Players
- Zuby Ejiofor: Posted 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks in the first round. He anchors the interior on both ends and sets the tone defensively.
- Bryce Hopkins: A versatile scorer who contributed 13 points in the opener. He provides balance and can score in multiple ways.
- Oziyah Sellers: Added 11 points and brings perimeter shooting that can stretch defenses, a key factor if St. John’s continues its improved outside shooting.
Stat Comparison
| Category | St. John’s | Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 81.5 | 75.4 |
| Points allowed per game | 69.5 | 69.1 |
| Team Field Goal % | 45% | 45% |
| Rebounds per game | 38.8 | 38.9 |
| Assists per game | 16.2 | 14.1 |
Betting Trends
- Kansas is 20-14 to the over so far this season.
- St. John’s is 21-12-1 against the spread entering this matchup.
- The Red Storm have gone under the total in 22 of their 34 games.
- The under is 23-11 in games involving the Jayhawks this year.
St. John’s vs Kansas Pick & Model Projection
- Score Projection: St. John’s 74 – Kansas 71 ATS PRO
- Pick: Kansas +3.5 ATS PRO
- Confidence: 3.5 out of 5 ATS PRO
- Win Probability: St. John’s 54%, Kansas 46% ATS PRO
This game shapes up as one of the more competitive second-round contests. St. John’s enters with stronger recent form and a clear identity built on defense and rebounding. Their ability to control the paint and limit second-chance opportunities gives them a stable foundation, especially in tournament settings where that facet of the game is magnified.
Kansas has the best individual scorer on the floor in Peterson, and that alone keeps them dangerous. However, the Jayhawks showed vulnerability late in their opener, particularly when protecting a lead. Against a disciplined and physical team like St. John’s, those lapses can be costly. I expect an incredibly tight game here, so I’ll take the points with Kansas.
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