The NCAA Tournament 2026 Round of 32 features a highly anticipated matchup between the St. John’s Red Storm and the Kansas Jayhawks. Both teams advanced from the first round and now meet with a place in the Sweet 16 on the line.
St. John’s enters the contest as the No. 5 seed and carries strong momentum after a convincing first-round victory. Kansas, the No. 4 seed, also moved forward after a competitive opening game. The matchup brings together two experienced programs led by well-known coaches and talented rosters.
The game is expected to be close, with oddsmakers giving St. John’s a slight edge heading into the contest.
St John’s vs Kansas Match Details
| Match | St. John’s Red Storm vs Kansas Jayhawks |
|---|---|
| Tournament | NCAA Tournament 2026 – Round of 32 |
| Date | March 22, 2026 |
| Venue | Viejas Arena, San Diego |
| Tip-off Time | 5:15 p.m. ET |
| Broadcast | CBS |
The winner of this matchup will move on to the Sweet 16 and continue the push toward the national championship.
Team Records This Season
| Team | Record | Conference Record |
|---|---|---|
| St. John’s Red Storm | 29-6 | 18-2 (Big East) |
| Kansas Jayhawks | 24-10 | 12-6 (Big 12) |
St. John’s has been one of the hottest teams entering the tournament. The Red Storm captured the Big East regular season and conference tournament titles and arrive on a seven-game winning streak.
Kansas also brings strong form into the matchup, winning three of its last four games.
First Round Results
| Team | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| St. John’s | Northern Iowa | Won 79-53 |
| Kansas | California Baptist | Won 68-60 |
St. John’s controlled its first-round matchup from the beginning, starting the game with a dominant early run and maintaining control throughout.
Kansas built a large lead against California Baptist but had to hold off a late push before securing the win.
Head-to-Head History
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| All-time Series | Kansas leads 9-5 |
| Last Meeting | Kansas won 95-75 (2021) |
The historical matchup favors Kansas, but the teams have met only occasionally in recent years.
St John’s vs Kansas Betting Odds
| Betting Line | Value |
|---|---|
| Spread | St. John’s -3.5 |
| Over/Under | 144.5 |
| Moneyline | St. John’s -172 / Kansas +143 |
Oddsmakers expect a competitive contest, with St. John’s entering as a slight favorite.
Also see: Texas Upsets Gonzaga 74-68 to Reach Sweet 16 | NCAA Tournament 2026
Key Players to Watch
St. John’s Red Storm
| Player | Key Contribution |
|---|---|
| Zuby Ejiofor | Projected 15+ points |
| Team Strength | Physical defense and strong rebounding |
Ejiofor was one of the standout performers in the opening round. He contributed across the stat sheet with scoring, rebounding and defensive plays, helping St. John’s control the game inside.
Kansas Jayhawks
| Player | Key Contribution |
|---|---|
| Darryn Peterson | 28 points in first round |
| Team Strength | Size and perimeter scoring |
Peterson delivered a major scoring performance in the opening round and will again be central to Kansas’ offense in this matchup.
Projected Scoring Outlook
| Team | Projected Top Scorer |
|---|---|
| St. John’s | Zuby Ejiofor – 15.4 projected points |
| Kansas | Darryn Peterson – 19.3 projected points |
Both teams are expected to rely heavily on their top offensive players in what could be a tightly contested game.
Also see: Brad Underwood Admits Illinois May Have Misjudged David Mirkovic Earlier This Season
Total Points Projection
| Projection | Details |
|---|---|
| Expected Combined Score | Around 144 points |
| Over/Under Line | 144.5 |
Recent trends suggest a defensive battle, as many recent games for both teams have finished under the projected total.
St John’s vs Kansas Basketball Prediction
This matchup brings together two strong programs with different strengths. St. John’s has shown consistent dominance throughout the season and enters the game with strong momentum and defensive pressure.
Kansas, however, has the size and scoring ability to challenge the Red Storm. With Darryn Peterson leading the offense and a roster capable of controlling the boards, the Jayhawks remain a dangerous opponent.
The game is expected to be close throughout, but St. John’s recent form and balanced play give it a slight edge heading into this March Madness showdown.
