TUCSON — St. John’s players and administrators remain optimistic that the latest ongoing NCAA inquiry will be put to rest after investigators met Monday with Erick Barkley and Lavor Postell.

“I hope it’s over,” Postell told The Post yesterday from the team plane en route here. “They should just let us play ball, let us go to school, let us worry about our classwork.”

The NCAA has concerns about Barkley’s standardized test score which he received while at Maine Central Institute and whether he’s had improper contact with agents and/or representatives.

“Erick and the university have provided the NCAA with the information that they have asked,” St. John’s athletic director Ed Manetta said yesterday.

Postell was asked about his purchase of a medallion at a Queens jewelry store, and also had to assure the NCAA he’s had no improper contact with agents.

“I played my part,” Postell said. “They [NCAA] should play their part. Just let them enjoy the tournament.”

Barkley and Postell met for about two hours Monday with an NCAA investigator.

The NCAA’s decision to question the players the day before they departed for the tournament raised the specter that they could be ruled ineligible for at least tomorrow’s first-round meeting with Northern Arizona. Sources told The Post that St. John’s coach Mike Jarvis had a contingency plan for the past month if Barkley were to be declared ineligible for the third time this season.