DePaul Basketball Loses Matchup vs Northwestern: 3 Takeaways

DePaul basketball suffers their second-straight loss, this time against the Northwestern Wildcats. The final score was 84-64.

DePaul basketball still struggles on the road in opposing venues.

This time it was to the neighboring Northwestern Wildcats.

Jacob Meyer led the Blue Demons in scoring with 18 points, while also contributing 3 rebounds and 1 block in the defeat. He shot 6-11 (54.5%) from the field and 4-7 (57.1%) from beyond the arc.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats were led by Nick Martinelli, who scored 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists against the visitors. He shot 10-19 (52.6%) overall and 3-5 (60%) from the free-throw line.

Here are the three key takeaways from the defeat:

Takeaway #1: This team still can’t control their turnovers

In their previous matchup against the St. John’s Red Storm, DePaul basketball had 20 turnovers in that loss. This resulted in the team being outscored 27-8 in points off of turnovers. Against Northwestern, the results were the same, if not worse.

The Blue Demons committed 18 turnovers to their opponents’ 8. This resulted in the team being outscored 25-6 against the Wildcats.

Conor Enright yet again led the team in turnovers with 5. He committed 4 turnovers in their last matchup against the Red Storm. N.J. Benson also allowed several turnovers, with 4 of his own. These two players were responsible for half the entire team’s turnovers.

Whether from wild passes or getting double-teamed, this issue has to be corrected sooner rather than later. DePaul basketball has only one more non-conference game on the schedule. After that, it’s back to Big East Conference matchups.

Takeaway #2: Nick Martinelli and Brooks Barnhizer are a two-headed beast

Martinelli led the team in scoring as previously mentioned. However, Brooks Barnhizer was not that far behind him.

Barnhizer recorded a double-double in the victory. Scoring 21 points and snatching 12 rebounds today, all of which were on the defensive end. He shot 9-15 (60%) from the field, 1-2 (50%) beyond the three-point line, and 2-2 (100%) from the charity strike.

That is his fifth-straight double-double performance, and his sixth this season. He continues to be a beast all around the court and a pest on defense.

Besides his double-double, he recorded 6 assists, 3 blocks, and 4 steals. He is only a 6’6 guard. Usually, players of that height don’t record double-doubles like it’s a habit and also play like pests on the defensive end. He certainly has a bright future in the NBA should he decide to pursue it.

Takeaway #3: The interior defense needs improvement, and fast

DePaul basketball got taken to the cleaners inside, getting outscored 44-16 in the paint.

Besides Justin Mullins (8 points while shooting 2-2 from beyond the arc, and 3-4 overall), all active players who scored for the Wildcats attacked the paint aggressively.

The Northwestern starting five shot a combined 3-10 (30%) from long range the entire game. Jalen Leach shot 1-3 (33.3%), Barnhizer shot 1-2 (50%), and Ty Berry shot 1-4 (25%) from beyond the arc. This was a poor three-point shooting performance from the Wildcats, who shot 5-12 (41.7%).

As a result of the poor shooting performance, they elected to attack the paint. That game plan worked out, and DePaul basketball couldn’t recover.

If the Blue Demons continue to get killed in the paint, matchups against conference opponents, and strong non-conference opponents, will continue to be nightmarish.

Next up for DePaul (8-4, 0-2): vs. Loyola (MD) – Dec. 28 at 1 p.m. CST (2 p.m. EST)

Next up for Northwestern (9-3): vs Northeastern – Dec. 29 at 12:30 p.m. CST (1:30 p.m. EST)