St. John's vs Omaha prediction, picks for 2025 men's NCAA Tournament
It's St. John's vs. Omaha in the 2025 NCAA Tournament first round. See our expert picks and predictions for the March Madness bracket, along with odds, game time, and how to watch.
Editor's note: Follow Men's March Madness live scores and updates for Thursday's first-round games.
Today marks the first full slate of games in the men's 2025 NCAA Tournament.
West Region action in the Round of 64 includes two programs breaking their March Madness droughts in St. John's and Omaha.
The St. John's Red Storm won 30 games for the first time in nearly 40 years by going 30-4 during the 2024-25 season and taking home the Big East conference title. That season earned the Red Storm a No. 2 seed in the 2025 March Madness bracket. Their opponent, the Omaha Mavericks, are making their NCAA Tournament debut as a No. 15 seed after going 22-12 and winning the Summit League title.
St. John's ranks 12th in the KenPom rankings powered by the top-ranked defense in the nation and the 65th-ranked offense. Omaha is ranked 157th overall with a better ranking on offense (97th) than defense (252nd).
Here's how our experts see Thursday's Round of 64 clash playing out. Be sure to check out Paste BN's complete March Madness bracket predictions to see our team's picks for every game. While you're at it, don't forget to read our tournament bold predictions and upset picks.
Here's our St. John's vs. Omaha picks and predictions.
St. John's vs. Omaha picks and predictions
- Jordan Mendoza: St. John's
- Paul Myerberg: St. John's
- Erick Smith: St. John's
- Eddie Timanus: St. John's
- Dan Wolken: St. John's
- Craig Meyer: St. John’s 80, Omaha 58
- Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: St. John's 83, Omaha 63
All of the experts agree that the Red Storm will get their first tournament win under coach Rick Pitino and their first since the 2015 tourney. Myerberg has St. John's making it as far as the Final Four behind its top-ranked defense.
St. John's vs. Omaha date, start time, how to watch
- Game Day: Thursday, March 20, 2025
- Game Time: 9:45 p.m. ET
- Location: Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, R.I.
- TV Channel: CBS
- Live Stream: Fubo - Watch Now!
Watch St. John's vs. Omaha on Fubo
St. John's vs. Omaha odds
Odds as of Wednesday, March 19 via BetMGM.
- Spread: St. John's -18.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Favorite: St. John's -3000
- Moneyline Underdog: Omaha +1200
- Total: 148.5
March Madness game-by-game predictions for Thursday
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- Nebraska Omaha vs St. John's prediction, picks
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