DePaul looks to end their two-game losing streak on Saturday against the Wichita State Shockers. The visiting team is having a great start to the season, with an 8-1 record, only losing to the Florida Gators in the ESPN Events Invitational. Read more for a full DePaul vs Wichita State prediction and preview.
The Blue Demons look to get their first win since Nov. 29 against the Valparaiso Beacons (89-70), while Wichita State comes off a close 96-87 victory over East Tennessee State.
Teams: DePaul (7-2) and Wichita State (8-1)
Tip-Off: 12 p.m. CST (1 p.m. EST)
Where to Watch: FS1
Tune In: Radio DePaul Sports & Entertainment (RDSE)
Latest on Wichita State basketball:
The Shockers come to Chicago for their final road non-conference game this season. With their 8-1 record, the team is on top of the American Conference.
Their most recent game was a 96-87 win over the East Tennessee State Buccaneers. Their leading scorer was Justin Hill. Hill scored 20 points, three assists, one block, and one steal. He accomplished this while shooting 7-15 (46.6%) from the field and 1-5 (20%) from beyond the arc. Hill is averaging 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals this season. However, he is averaging a career-low three-point percentage (26.8%).
Their second-leading scorer against the Buccaneers was Corey Washington, who recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. He shot 6-11 (54.5%) overall and 3-5 (60%) from long range. Washington averages 13 points, 6.4 rebounds, and a career-high 40.9% from beyond the arc this season.
The team is led by head coach Paul Mills, the former coach of Oral Roberts during the years when they upset the likes of Ohio State and Florida in the NCAA tournament.
Latest on DePaul basketball:
The Blue Demons return off a heartbreaking, 63-70 overtime loss to the Providence Friars this past Tuesday.
DePaul had a lead multiple times throughout the game and had the lead before their opponents clawed back and forced overtime. A combination of sloppy team three-point shooting in the second half (28.5%) and overtime (20%), and poor overall free-throw shooting (53.3%) contributed to the loss.
David Skogman led the team, as well as all active players in scoring. He scored 22 points and six rebounds while shooting 8-16 (50%) from the field and 6-10 (60%) from beyond the arc. He currently averages 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and a career-high 48.5% from long range.
Jacob Meyer was the second-leading scorer while making his second start for the team this season. Meyer scored 12 points and five rebounds while shooting 5-12 (41.6%) overall and 1-5 (20%) from the three-point line. While he didn’t have a great three-point shooting night, he helped contribute to the team and score in critical moments. Or, turn into a leopard, leaping into the air from several feet away to get after offensive rebounds.
Meyer is averaging 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 46.3% from the field, and 44.4% from beyond the arc, a career-high, this season.
The Blue Demons need to stop the bleeding before the train completely falls off the tracks. The Shockers are a difficult opponent, especially in terms of their opposing three-point percentage (29.7%, second in the American Conference. This will be a tough fight for DePaul basketball, one that head coach Chris Holtmann needs to find a way to bounce back after a pair of losses.
DePaul vs Wichita State prediction: Blue Demons by 6
This game, like a lot of their matchups against difficult opponents, will be close. It all depends on how the team improves in terms of three-point and free-throw shooting percentages. If those categories improve on Saturday, the Blue Demons can get by the Shockers and give themselves a confidence boost before more conference opponents come to town.
[…] of the work was done by Justin Hill (4-10 from the field), and Harlond Beverly (6-10 overall). Wichita State could do no wrong and […]