Butler vs St John’s Odds and Picks (Dec. 23)

Odds as of December 22nd, 2021.

LaVall Jordan’s group got a team-high 17 points from senior forward Bryce Golden and 11 from freshman guard Jayden Taylor against the Boilermakers, but their combined efforts weren’t nearly enough. Butler was without leading scorer Chuck Harris (non-COVID illness) and starting forward Bryce Nze (shoulder) in the 48-point effort, its lowest this season while shooting a season-low 14.3% from distance.

Meantime, Mike Anderson’s club had three players finish in double-figure scoring against the Panthers. But the Johnnies were without star swingman Julian Champagnie after he tested positive for COVID.

Bulldog Grinders

Butler is a team that does not score a lot of points (63.4 points per game) or concede a lot of points (60.0 points a game). Like the Pittsburgh unit that just beat St. John’s, the Bulldogs focus on defending well, slowing opponents down and rebounding on the offensive and defensive glass. Their tempo is one of the 10 slowest in the country, and they have successfully kept opponents from running in every single game.

Aaron Thompson with a nice find to Bryce Golden for the opening bucket ?#ButlerWay | #CrossroadsClassic pic.twitter.com/Hk9Xvth8DY

— Butler Basketball (@ButlerMBB) December 18, 2021

The Bulldogs do not have a star player — but, rather, are a team of role players. They get more than half their scoring from their backcourt, with Harris, Taylor and Jair Bolden combining to average 32.5 points per game. Harris heads up the trio, averaging 11.6 points (on just 35.7% from the field) and 4.0 rebounds

Throw in the fact that Harris is questionable for Thursday due to illness and Nze has been out the past two weeks and you come to the realization that scoring will be an issue against St. John’s.

Champagnie Wishes

With Julian Champagnie — who is averaging 20.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game (both team highs) being ruled out with COVID, Anderson’s club was already short-handed. Now, two more Johnnies — forward Joel Soriano and guard Tareq Coburn — are also out due to the virus.

St John’s announces no Julian Champagnie as expected. He’s in COVID-19 protocol. #sjubb https://t.co/3bmj0Fj9eU

— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) December 22, 2021

It became clear quickly during the Pitt game that St. John’s missed their best player. Anderson’s squad finished the game shooting just 34.9% from the field, 33.3% from distance (6-of-18) and 50% from the free throw line.

With a lack of players available Thursday, it’s likely Anderson looks to freshmen Rafael Pinzon and O’Mar Stanley for critical minutes. Pinzon boasted a team-best, plus-eight in the loss to Pittsburgh and has provided much-needed shotmaking ability. Meantime, the 6-foot-8 Stanley has also played well in small doses and has shown a promising offensive skill set.

The Pick

Butler does not have a particularly strong frontcourt, especially without the services of Nze, Of course, without Soriano, the Johnnies don’t have a significant advantage either. That said, the Red Storm need to find some points inside from Esahia Nyiwe and Aaron Wheeler.

This game boils down to tempo. If St. John can control the pace, it should be in good shape. But Anderson’s team also showed they are not capable of winning a low-scoring affair against Pitt.

This will probably be a tight one and could get ugly. With both teams undermanned, I like the under in this spot.

Pick: Under 135.5 (-110)