Scouting: USF @ DePaul

USF (8-20, 2-13) at DePaul (7-20, 1-14)

When: 1 p.m. at Allstate Arena

TV: WCUU (Ch. 26.2)

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

The skinny: If the Blue Demons can defend their home court today, there’s a decent chance DePaul avoids being the Big East tournament’s No. 16 seed for the third year in a row. USF defeated DePaul 71-60 when they met Jan. 27. DePaul needs a healthy Cleveland Melvin in order to hang with the Bulls. The team’s leading scorer (14.3 ppg) injured his left (non-shooting) thumb Wednesday at St. John’s and is considered a game-time decision. Melvin posted a team-high 17 points and 4 blocks in the first USF game while junior center Krys Faber added a career-high 16 points.