DePaul Vs. St. John's Preview: Blue Demons Attempt To Stay Out Of Big East Basement

The DePaul Blue Demons come into Monday's game vs. the St. John's Red Storm not having won a game since January 25, and having won only two conference games all season. Escaping the last spot in the Big East standings could represent some sort of progress for Oliver Purnell's team, but a loss to the Red Storm would plunge them into a tie with the last place Providence Friars.

The Blue Demons and Red Storm have met once prior this season, with St. John's travelled to Chicago and defeated DePaul 87-81. In that game, the Blue Storm allowed the Johnnies to shoot 22 free throws compared to their own ten, and that was a deficit that they could not make up, despite a solid night shooting and rebounding the ball. St. John's is coming off of a Saturday victory over the UCLA Bruins on national television, and should have some momentum as they try and improve their placement in the Big East heading into the 2012 Big East Tournament.

Game date/time: Wednesday, February 20, 2012, 8:00 p.m. CST

Location: Carnesseca Arena, Queens, New York

TV: ESPNU

Odds: St. John's by 5.5

For more on this game stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Big East, head over to Big East Coast Bias, and for more news and notes around the country, stick with SB Nation's NCAA basketball news hub.