If defense wins championships, then get ready to learn about the St. John’s Red Storm this spring. It took Rick Pitino a couple of months to find this team’s truest identity, but it has clearly emerged since New Year’s Day.
That defense should be emphasized against the DePaul Blue Demons, given their lackluster offense. The Big East is 11 teams deep these days, and the Blue Demons have the No. 10 offense in the conference.
My St. John’s vs. DePaul predictions and college basketball picks do not need to say much else before tip at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 19.
St. John's vs DePaul prediction
My best bet
DePaul team total Under 65.5 (-115 at bet365)
My analysis
Heading into 2025, the St. John’s Red Storm's defensive efficiency ranked No. 21 in the country, per BartTorvik. More notably, the offensive efficiency was a respectable No. 46.
The Red Storm stood at 11-3 coming off a New Year’s Eve loss at Creighton. There was no need to panic or reinvent the team, particularly since all three losses were each by just one bucket, with one of them coming in double overtime vs. Baylor.
But since New Year’s Day, St. John’s has somewhat given up on offense, that efficiency ranking 144th in 12 games. Meanwhile, its defense has risen to a new level, sitting at No. 1 in the country. That ranking does not give the Red Storm enough credit. St. John’s adjusted defensive efficiency sits 3.3 points per 100 possessions better than the No. 2 defense since Jan. 1.
The Red Storm are more than a bucket better on defense than anyone else in the country these days. That is no exaggeration. It is simply a stark reality and one that establishes a very high floor for St. John’s these days.
Meanwhile, the DePaul Blue Demons have a very low ceiling. Since Jan. 1, their offensive efficiency has ranked No. 200 in the country. Across the Big East season, they're No. 10 in the conference, barely holding off Seton Hall for last.
Speaking of Seton Hall, St. John’s held the Pirates to 51 points a month ago, 13.5 points lower than their team total that night. In fact, the Red Storm have forced opponents to the Under on their team totals in nine of 12 games in 2025. One of the exceptions, Xavier on Jan. 22, needed overtime to slip past the team total. The other two came in the last two games.
Those two offenses are both in the Top 4 in the Big East. The lesser of the two, Creighton, is 12 or 13 points better than DePaul across 100 possessions, depending on what timing you want to use.
When the best defense in the country faces a rather horrid offense, very little more thinking is needed.
St. John's vs DePaul same-game parlay (SGP)
DePaul team total Under 65.5
Under 143.5
Isaiah Rivera Over 1.5 threes
The key to pushing a St. John’s game Over its total is keeping it competitive. Of the Red Storm’s 12 games in 2025, five have gone Over their totals. Four of those five were within four points with only two minutes remaining.
Do not expect that competitiveness tonight, not with DePaul a 12.5-point underdog.
Part of the Blue Demons’ problems tonight will be their abysmal 3-point shooting, making just 28.9% of their attempts in Big East play, despite taking 3s at the third-highest rate in the conference. The Red Storm force those looks at a reasonably high rate of 40.7% of all opponent field-goal attempts.
Forcing DePaul to hoist from deep should benefit only Isaiah Rivera, a volume shooter making 36.2% of his threes in Big East play. Forcing him to shoot will eventually lead to a couple of made buckets, based on the pure volume that can be expected.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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St. John's vs DePaul odds
St. John's vs DePaul live odds
St. John's vs DePaul opening odds
- Spread: St. John's -12.5 (-110) | DePaul +12.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: St. John's -900 | DePaul +600
- Over/Under: Over 141.5 (-115) | Under 141.5 (-105)
Odds courtesy of bet365
St. John's vs DePaul betting trend to know
The closest of DePaul’s last six losses, in the span of seven games, was by 10 points. Find more college basketball betting trends for St. John's vs. DePaul.
How to watch St. John's vs DePaul
| Location | Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Wednesday, 2-19-2025 |
| Tip-off | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | FS1 |
St. John's vs DePaul key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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