St John's Red Storm vs Iowa State Cyclones Picks and Prediction - November 24, 2025
Use Code SSWC Monday afternoon on the college hardwood, and we have a St John's vs Iowa State prediction ready to rock and roll. This game is part of the Players Era men's championship at Las Vegas. St John's is off a 97-49 home win over Bucknell, which puts them at 3-1 on the year. Iowa State comes in a perfect 4-0 so far, and they are off a 96-57 home win over Stonehill. These teams last met back in 2022, and Iowa State won that game by a score of 70-61. Continue reading to see our St John's vs Iowa State prediction.
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St John's Crushes Bucknell
St. John’s enters this matchup at 3-1, coming off a commanding 97-49 win over Bucknell on November 20. Bryce Hopkins led the way with 20 points in just 17 minutes, while Ian Jackson added 20 of his own. The Red Storm forced 24 turnovers and scored 32 fast-break points, showing off their athleticism and defensive pressure. Rick Pitino’s squad has bounced back nicely after its early loss to Alabama, and now faces its toughest test yet against Iowa State.
Offensively, St. John’s has been explosive, averaging 98.5 points per game while shooting 51.1% from the field. Hopkins has been the go-to scorer at 15.5 points per game, while Zuby Ejiofor provides balance inside with 15 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest. Ian Jackson has chipped in 14.5 points per game, and Joson Sanon adds another double-digit scoring option. The Red Storm have depth across the roster, with multiple players capable of stepping up, though their free-throw shooting at 69.4% remains a weakness.
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Defensively, St. John’s has been strong, holding opponents to 71.5 points per game and just 40% shooting. They’ve been particularly effective at defending the perimeter, limiting opponents to 30.1% from three, and their ability to force turnovers has fueled their transition game. Ejiofor and Dillon Mitchell provide rim protection, while Hopkins and Sellers add versatility on the wing. Against Iowa State’s efficient offense, St. John’s will need to maintain that defensive intensity to keep the game within reach.
Iowa State Looks To Stay Perfect
Iowa State is off to a perfect 4-0 start, most recently dismantling Stonehill 96-57 on November 17. Joshua Jefferson scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Tamin Lipsey added 19 points and seven assists. The Cyclones shot nearly 60% from the field and forced 14 steals, continuing their dominant early-season run.
Offensively, Iowa State has been one of the most efficient teams in the country, averaging 95.5 points per game while shooting 54.2% from the field, ranking fifth nationally. Lipsey has been the engine, averaging 19 points and 5.3 assists per game, while Jefferson has been equally impressive with 18.8 points and 7.8 rebounds. Milan Momcilovic adds another scoring punch at 15.3 points per game, and Brandyn Buchanan has been a reliable interior presence. The Cyclones share the ball well, averaging nearly 19 assists per game, and their balanced attack makes them difficult to defend.
Defensively, Iowa State has been elite, allowing just 62.3 points per game and ranking in the top 20 nationally. They’ve held opponents to 42.1% shooting and just 33.3% from three, while their ability to force turnovers has fueled their transition offense. Lipsey’s defensive pressure, combined with Jefferson’s rebounding and Buchanan’s rim protection, gives them multiple ways to disrupt opponents. Against St. John’s, Iowa State’s ability to control tempo and limit fast-break opportunities will be key to maintaining their unbeaten start.
St John's vs Iowa State Pick
St John's vs Iowa State Spread Pick
- St John's +2 (4 Units)
Taking St. John’s +2 makes sense because the Red Storm have shown they can dictate tempo with their athleticism and defensive pressure. They’re averaging nearly 99 points per game while shooting 51.1% from the field, but what really stands out is their ability to force turnovers and convert them into transition buckets. Bryce Hopkins and Zuby Ejiofor give them reliable scoring inside, while Ian Jackson adds perimeter balance at 14.5 points per game. Against an Iowa State team that thrives on efficiency, St. John’s depth and ability to create chaos defensively should help them keep this matchup tight.
On the defensive side, St. John’s has been strong, holding opponents to just 40% shooting and limiting teams to 30.1% from three. Their rebounding presence, led by Ejiofor and Dillon Mitchell, allows them to control possessions and prevent second-chance opportunities. Iowa State has been excellent offensively, but their free-throw shooting sits at just 66.7%, which could be a factor late in a close game. With Rick Pitino’s group playing with confidence and showing balance on both ends, St. John’s has the tools to stay within the number and potentially steal this one outright.
St John's vs Iowa State Over/Under Pick
- Under 160 (4 Units)
The Under 160 makes sense here because both St. John’s and Iowa State are stepping onto an unfamiliar floor, which often slows offensive rhythm early and keeps scoring in check. St. John’s has been explosive at times, but their defense is holding opponents to just 40% shooting and forcing turnovers that don’t always translate into high-possession games. Iowa State, meanwhile, has been elite defensively, allowing only 62.3 points per game, and their style leans toward grinding opponents down in the half court. With both teams likely to tighten up late and walk the ball up to control possessions, this matchup sets up as a lower-scoring battle that stays under the 160 mark.
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