Big East play gets started on Tuesday with #22 St. John’s, 6-3, hosting 8-3 DePaul. For the Red Storm, defending conference champions, this is the start of a months-long title defense. As for the visitors, this is a chance to make a statement that the Blue Demons have returned to prominence.
St. John’s enters this evening as 19.5-point favorites (-110) over DePaul. The total is set at 149.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here’s a college basketball pick, preview and prediction for Tuesday’s game between the Red Storm and Blue Demons.
DePaul vs. St. John’s prediction, preview
The Johnnies, despite massive expectations, have yet to live up to their preseason hype. Still, Rick Pitino’s squad remains one of the nation’s most talented groups. Nine games is too small a sample size to give up on the Red Storm as a national title contender. After all, SJU ranks 16th in adjusted efficiency margin per KenPom. Considering the amount of change on this roster over the offseason, an adjustment period is to be expected. One thing is for certain: this year’s St. John’s squad can certainly score. The team ranks inside the Big East’s top four teams in points (88.9), offensive rating (117.9) and field goal percentage (48.1%).
What has held St. John’s back is a failure to come through against high-caliber opponents. Losses to Alabama, Iowa State and Auburn have raised question marks about this team’s ceiling, especially following last season’s Round of 32 defeat in the NCAA Tournament. However, the school’s early exit was due in large part to a lack of scoring outside of Zuby Ejiofor. That doesn’t appear to be an issue for the Red Storm this season. Offseason acquisitions Oziyah Sellers (11.9 PPG) and Ian Jackson (11.7 PPG) have solidified the backcourt. Up front, forward Bryce Hopkins (14.9 PPG) leads the team in scoring after transferring from Providence.
Few coaches in the nation have done a better job over the past two years than Chris Holtmann. During the 2023-24 campaign, the Blue Demons went winless during conference play. Last season, Holtmann’s first with the school, DePaul notched a 14-20 record, an 11-win improvement. That culminated in a Big East tournament win over Georgetown and an overtime loss to Creighton. This season, things have gone even better in the Windy City. DePaul has reeled off eight wins, including a neutral site victory over Georgia Tech. In addition, the team lost by just two points against Northwestern, one of the Big Ten’s better programs. Dreams of the NCAA Tournament still feel like wishful thinking, but all signs are pointing up at the moment.
Despite lacking the pedigree of other Big East foes, DePaul has out-hustled more talented opponents. The scrappy Blue Demons rank 67th in all of college basketball in defensive efficiency (96.8). That’s due in part to a deep, flexible roster that prioritizes effort and intensity. Ten different players in Holtmann’s rotation are averaging at least ten minutes per game. On offense, the trio of CJ Gunn, Layden Blocker and N.J. Benson have accounted for nearly half of the team’s scoring. If there’s one major weakness for the Blue Demons, it’s on the glass. They’ve snagged just 33.7 rebounds per game, worst in the conference.
DePaul vs. St. John’s pick, best bet
In a battle between two solid defensive units, points and possessions might be at a premium. That’s especially true when factoring in DePaul’s deliberate tempo while on offense. Each of the two meetings between these schools last year resulted in a St. John’s blowout win. However, this year’s Blue Demons squad has proven it can hang with quality opponents. Even on the road, expect DePaul to hang around into the second half against the Red Storm.
