Wednesday night’s Big East collision between the St. John’s Red Storm and the Marquette Golden Eagles is set to take place at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. St. John’s arrives with a top-20 ranking and a lengthy winning streak, while Marquette fights to right its season after a tough stretch in conference play. Odds from most books have the Red Storm installed as heavy favorites, and I’ll bring you my St. John’s vs Marquette prediction before the action begins right here.
Our St. John’s vs Marquette Pick
- Pick:
- Confidence: 4 stars
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: St. John’s Red Storm @ Marquette Golden Eagles
- Date & Time: Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 9:00 PM ET
- Venue: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
- Broadcast: TNT
Key Players
St. John’s Key Players:
- Zuby Ejiofor: The clear engine for St. John’s, averaging 16.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, Ejiofor impacts both ends and is dangerous in transition and in the post.
- Bryce Hopkins: A secondary scoring option with 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, Hopkins provides floor spacing and physical play inside.
- Oziyah Sellers: Adds 10.9 points per game and offers perimeter shooting. His ability to draw fouls and convert at the line helps St. John’s get reliable scoring looks.
- Ian Jackson: Contributes 10.5 points and plays aggressive defense, which has helped the Red Storm force turnovers and control games.
Marquette Key Players:
- Nigel James Jr: The leading scorer at 15.8 points and 5.0 assists per game, James is Marquette’s offensive hub; big nights from him correlate with Golden Eagles success.
- Chase Ross: Scores 14.7 points per game and brings energy. Ross’ shooting is key when Marquette stretches the floor.
- Royce Parham: Adds 12.4 points and solid rebounding. His efficiency will be tested by St. John’s frontcourt physicality.
- Ben Gold: Marquette’s best rebounder at 5.4 per game and a critical piece for securing possessions on both ends.
Stat Comparison
| Stat | St. John’s | Marquette |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 84.3 | 76.0 |
| Points allowed per game | 72.1 | 77.7 |
| Team Field Goal % | 46% | 44% |
| Team Free Throw % | 70% | 70.7% |
| Rebounds per game | 38.7 | 34.7 |
| Assists per game | 15.9 | 15.8 |
St. John’s holds advantages across several offensive and defensive metrics. Their scoring average of over 84 points highlights a potent offense capable of pushing tempo and creating mismatches. On defense, opponents score just 72 points per game against them, giving St. John’s a favorable differential. Marquette’s numbers tell a different story. While capable of putting up points, they give up nearly 78 per game and struggle to control the glass. St. John’s field goal efficiency and size inside should create trouble for the Golden Eagles, especially if St. John’s forces turnovers or gets transition buckets.
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
Recent meetings favor St. John’s, including a 92-68 win earlier this season and multiple wins in the last four meetings. Against the spread this season, Marquette has struggled, posting a 9-17-0 record, while St. John’s is 14-9-1 against the spread for the year.
St. John’s vs Marquette Model Projection
Score Projection:
Win Probability:
Final Thoughts
