DePaul basketball returns home to the Wintrust Arena to host their first conference opponents in the Providence Friars. Read more for the full DePaul vs Providence prediction and preview.
The Blue Demons have had about a week to prepare for their first conference opponents, tonight the fans will see if that preparation can result in a bounce-back win after their recent loss to the Texas Tech Red Raiders on the road.
This will be the 54th time these two programs face off. The last time they faced off ended in a 81-70 victory for the Friars last season, sweeping DePaul that year.
The last time DePaul defeated Providence was in the 2020-2021 season, the final score in that victory was 70-62. The all-time series favors the Friars with a tally of 40-13.
Game Information:
Teams: DePaul (7-1) and Providence (6-4)
Tip-Off: 7:30 p.m. CST (8:30 p.m. EST)
Where to Watch: FS1
Tune In: Radio DePaul Sports & Entertainment (RDSE)
Latest on Providence basketball:
This has been a roller coaster start to the season for the Friars. First, the team started off 5-0 before heading off to the 2024 Battle 4 Atlantis. The team would be swept in that tournament, with a close 77-79 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners before being defeated by the Davidson Wildcats (58-69) and the, at the time #14 ranked Indiana Hoosiers (73-89).
Their most recent matchup was a loss to the Rhode Island Rams (63-69). In that game, two Friars led the team in scoring. Both Bryce Hopkins and Bensley Joseph scored 16 points in the loss. Hopkins, for his part, nearly had a double-double with eight rebounds while shooting 6-15 (40%) from the field. He did not shoot well from beyond the arc, going 1-4 (25%) from the three.
This season, Hopkins averages 16 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. In terms of shooting, he is a mixed bag, averaging 42.9% overall and 20% from long range. That three-point percentage is a slight increase from last year (18.9%).
Both players combined for five steals, with the team totaling 10 on the night.
Providence struggled in terms of three-point shots, totaling 5-20 (25%) for the night. They also shot poorly from the charity strike, going 8-15 (53.3%) from the line.
Latest on DePaul basketball:
After their recent loss to the Red Raiders, the team experienced the difficulties of playing on the road for the first time, losing 62-76.
Jacob Meyer led the team in scoring, with 14 points coming off the bench. He also was one of, if not the best shooter on the team. Overall, he went 5-8 (62.5%) from the field and shot 4-5 (80%) from beyond the arc. He was one of only two Blue Demons to score at least two three-point shots, the other being Conor Enright who shot 2-7 (28.5%).
This season, Meyer averages 14.6 points and 4.1 rebounds, combined with his career-high 46.9% from beyond the arc, he is a threat to any defender from long range.
J.J. Traynor was the second leading scorer for DePaul basketball, scoring 11 points while shooting 5-6 (83.3%) from the field.
DePaul shot putridly from beyond the arc, scoring 11-35 (31.43%) from long range. This is combined with only going 2-14 (14.29%) from the three in the second half, showcased that this team still has to grow in order to become a serious contender.
This team was outscored in almost every category. Points in the paint (24-36), points off of turnovers (10-21), second chance points (5-8) and fast break points (8-15). However, one category could give them an edge over the Friars, their bench.
Against the Red Raiders, the Blue Demons bench outscored their opponents 39-21. When the starting lineup struggles, the team can count on it’s bench to keep it close. Against Texas Tech, the bench helped keep the game close at the end of the first half, only being down 37-38 at halftime.
DePaul vs Providence prediction: Blue Demons by 6
This game will be a close one. The Blue Demons, according to ESPN, lead the Big East Conference in scoring, averaging 84.8 points. The Friars are the second-worst scoring team in the conference, averaging 70.6 points. However, both teams are not too far apart in opponent scoring. Providence is second in the conference in average points allowed (63.8), DePaul is sixth in the conference, averaging 65.8 points allowed.
This game will be about who breaks first. The Blue Demons have had a better offense this season, and a great defense to boost. In most team categories in the Big East Conference, DePaul has the edge. In terms of defense, they are both not too far apart from each other.
A big key will be the bench. If the starting five for DePaul basketball struggles like they did against Texas Tech (David Skogman led the starters in scoring with nine points, Troy D’Amico did not score any points), head coach Chris Holtmann will have to start rotating the bench in-and-out of the game to recharge the team and get some needed scoring help.
This is the chance for the Blue Demons to bounce back after their road loss, and upset a conference opponent that historically has defeated them time and time again.