After dropping out of the rankings in early December, the Irish have been playing the underdog role. They've defeated three ranked opponents in the last three weeks and now they'll have the top spot going into tonight's game against St. John's.

With the Irish ranked 23rd in Associated Press balloting and second in the Big East, tonight's game may be more about Notre Dame's play than the play of the 3-20 Red Storm, who are ranked last in the Big East.

"We've got to focus on us," said head coach Muffet McGraw. "That's our primary concern ... There are some things coming out of the Boston College game that we feel we can do better at."

At this point in the season, although the Irish have made strides to 15-7, McGraw is still looking for improvement in her team. The Irish have strung together several strong offensive appearances and many solid defensive performances.

However, they don't seem to be coming in tandem.

"I want to see great defense and great offense in the same game, that's what I really want," McGraw said. "We've had a lot of games where we've played one or the other."

A combined defensive and offensive effort isn't all McGraw wants from her team. She wants a team effort — period. Post players Jacqueline Batteast, Ericka Haney and Teresa Borton have all taken their turns being the go-to player, scoring on the block and really helping the team out. But McGraw would like to see a game where all three play well on the same night.

"I think the problem is, it's been different people and I would like it to be all of them," McGraw said. "Teresa's had some big games; Ericka's had some big games; Jackie's had some big games. So what we need is all three of them to have a big game on the same day."

That kind of an all-around performance could come tonight. St. John's is coming of a 12-game losing skid, as compared to Notre Dame's five-game winning streak. But, after close calls against both Seton Hall and Pittsburgh on the road, McGraw is not so ready to call this an easy win.

"[Against Pittsburgh] I thought `This'll be a good chance for us to play a lot of people,' but we didn't defend well," she said. "I don't think you can ever look at a game and say this is what's going to happen."

To play a good defensive game, the Irish post players will have to be aware of the Red Storm's offense. St. John's post players hit jumpers, looking, at times, more like perimeter players.

"They present some problems for our post defensively," McGraw said.

But coming out of one of its best defensive efforts of the season, the Irish should be able to handle the change. On Sunday the Notre Dame played very little zone, a defense they've been able to make use of this season, because of Boston College's outside shot.

But tonight they should be able to change up their defensive style.

"I think we'll be able to do a little bit more in terms of switching things up [defensively] and playing some zone," McGraw said.

Tip-off is 7 p.m. at the Joyce Center where the Irish have a 49-game winning streak.

Notes:

* Sophomore guard Jeneka Joyce is listed as questionable for tonight's game. After returning from an Achilles Heel injury against Boston College on Sunday, pain in her foot may prevent her from playing against St. John's.

Contact Katie McVoy at mcvo5695@saintmarys.edu.

• ND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Improved Irish ready for Red Storm
  
• SMC BASKETBALL: Belles confident heading into Adrian game