Scouting: DePaul @ St. John’s

DePaul (7-19, 1-13) at St. John’s (17-9, 9-5)

When: 6 p.m. at Carnesecca Arena

TV: WCUU (Ch. 26.2)

Net: ESPN3.com

Radio: B>WSCR 670-AM The skinny: DePaul fans might remember how closely these teams were matched not so long ago. In last year#146;s regular-season finale at Allstate Arena, DePaul and St. John#146;s needed 3 overtimes to reach a decision. The Blue Demons led by 16 points at halftime before succumbing 90-82. Both teams famously brought in high-priced coaches in the off-season. While Oliver Purnell and his staff have improved DePaul in ways that haven#146;t shown up in the win column, Steve Lavin has led St. John#146;s into the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time in 11 years. The Red Storm jumped into the poll this week at No. 23. While Lavin inherited a senior-laden team #8212; everybody but Anthony Mason Jr. returned from last year#146;s 3-OT game #8212; Purnell doesn#146;t have Mac Koshwal (23 points), Will Walker (10 points) and Devin Hill (1 point) and doesn#146;t use seniors Mike Stovall (19 points) and Mario Stula (3 points). On the plus side, junior Jeremiah Kelly (13 points, 9 assists) finally has built on the promise he showed that night. Kelly racked up 48 points in last week#146;s split with Providence and Villanova ... his first Big East double-figure efforts since that St. John#146;s game.