A Big East Conference matchup will be kicking off 2025. The defending, back-to-back champion UConn Huskies travel to Chicago to take on the DePaul Blue Demons. Read more for a full DePaul vs UConn prediction and preview.
DePaul hosts a New Year’s Day matchup after winning their final non-conference matchup against the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds 84-65.
N.J. Benson, in his first start of the season, scored a double-double with 22 points and 17 rebounds. That tied his career high in points and made a new career high in rebounds.
The Huskies come to the windy city fresh off a narrow, 78-74 conference victory over the Butler Bulldogs. Alex Karaban led the team in scoring with 21 points and 6 rebounds. He shot 7-16 (43.8%) overall and 4-9 (44.4%) from beyond the arc.
Last time these two teams faced off was Feb. 14, which resulted in a 65-101 loss for the Blue Demons. In the all-time series between these teams, DePaul has only won a single time in 20 all-time matchups. The lone win being in 2007, a 66-58 victory.
General Information:
Teams: DePaul (9-4, 0-2) and UConn (10-3, 2-0)
Tip Off: 1 p.m. CST (2 p.m. EST)
Watch: CBS Sports Network
Listen: Radio DePaul Sports & Entertainment (RDSE)
Latest on UConn basketball:
UConn was led by Karaban in the victory over the Bulldogs. However, it, like a lot of their matchups since getting swept in the Maui Invitational by Memphis, Dayton, and Colorado, have been close.
Other than a 99-45 blowout victory over Maryland Eastern Shore (99-45), all of their recent wins have been within 10 points. The largest win they had was against the Texas Longhorns (76-65). Meanwhile the closest win is a tie between their victory over Butler and against the Baylor Bears (76-72).
Karaban leads the team in scoring, averaging 16.5 points, while also leading the team in blocks with 1.5 per game.
In the last four games, at least one UConn player has scored 20 or more points. Liam McNeeley scored the most points in a single game out of that stretch, with 26 points in a 77-71 victory over Gonzaga. Against Xavier, three Huskies scored at least 20 points. These three were Karaban (20), Tarris Reed Jr. (20), and Solo Ball (22). This UConn squad boasts dangerous scoring threats across the board.
Latest on DePaul basketball:
The Blue Demons still remain winless in conference matchups this season. As well as not winning a conference matchup since the 2022-2023 season.
Against the Providence Friars, at home, DePaul lost 63-70 in overtime. They had the win but couldn’t close out in regulation, and couldn’t execute in extras. On the road, they visited New York and lost 61-89 to the St. John’s Red Storm.
In their recent win over Loyola Maryland, Benson started in relief of David Skogman. He was out that game with a leg injury, and was seen wearing a brace one of his legs. Skogman’s status for the game is still in the air, something fans of both sides will have to keep an eye on.
DePaul boasts a high scoring offense, averaging 80 points which is fourth in the conference. They also average 38.9% from long range, also fourth in the conference.
Both teams are the two best in the conference at generating assists. The Blue Demons average 18.5 assists per game, while the Huskies average 19.8 per game.
The team, coaching staff, and fans are looking for that first conference win in almost two seasons. This is a dangerous opponent in the Huskies. Despite UConn winning their last two games by less than 10 points each, they still are the back-to-back champions. It will be the most challenging opponent for DePaul this entire season. Especially considering they have only beaten this opponent once in their entire matchup history.