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Red Storm vs Blue Demons

Red Storm Set to Overwhelm Struggling Blue Demons

St. Johns Red Storm

St. Johns Red Storm vs DePaul Blue Demons

February 19th 2025 | 7:00 PM EST | Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL

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DePaul Blue Demons

St. John's dominance makes this a one-sided affair

Grade A+: St. Johns Red Storm Moneyline (-1000)

The Red Storm have been relentless in Big East play, using their high-pressure defence to force turnovers and convert easy transition buckets. DePaul, meanwhile, has struggled to handle defensive pressure, ranking near the bottom of the conference in turnover margin. St. John's also holds a decisive rebounding edge, limiting second-chance opportunities for a Blue Demons squad that has been inconsistent from the perimeter. Given the significant talent gap and St. John’s ability to dictate the pace, a Red Storm victory is highly probable, though the -1000 moneyline offers little value. This bet is an A+ lock for a St. John’s win, but bettors may look elsewhere for better returns.

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St. John’s pressure should be too much for DePaul

Grade A-: St. Johns Red Storm Spread -12.5

St. John’s relentless defensive intensity has been a nightmare for opposing backcourts, and DePaul’s turnover-prone offense could be the next victim. The Red Storm thrive in transition, forcing mistakes and turning them into easy buckets, while DePaul has struggled against high-pressure defenses all season. Additionally, St. John’s size advantage on the glass should limit the Blue Demons’ second-chance opportunities, further widening the margin. With the spread set at -12.5, St. John’s fast-paced attack and ability to control both ends of the floor make them a strong bet to cover. Given DePaul’s struggles against elite competition, this is a B+ pick for the Red Storm to win big.

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St. John’s defence may slow the scoring pace

Grade B+: Over 143.5 Total Points

St. John’s relentless defensive pressure has suffocated opponents all season, holding Big East rivals to some of their lowest-scoring outputs. DePaul, already struggling offensively, has failed to crack 70 points in five of its last seven contests, and their inability to handle pressure is unlikely to improve against the Red Storm’s aggressive full-court press. Additionally, St. John’s methodical half-court sets and strong rebounding limit transition opportunities, further slowing the tempo. With the total set at 143.5, the defensive intensity from both squads makes the under the smarter play. This is a B+ bet given the expected pace and defensive dominance.

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