Depaul Blue Demons vs Providence Friar Picks and Predictions December 10th 2024

DePaul Prepares for Big East Challenge Against Providence

The DePaul Blue Demons open their Big East slate on Tuesday in Chicago against the Providence Friars, with both teams looking to rebound from tough recent losses.

DePaul’s Journey to Redemption

The Blue Demons (7-1) have shown promise under first-year head coach Chris Holtmann, but the upcoming Big East schedule represents a significant escalation in competition.

DePaul’s struggles in conference play have been well-documented, as the program seeks its first Big East regular-season win since January 2023 after an 0-20 campaign last year.

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Wednesday’s 76-62 loss at Texas Tech served as a measuring stick for DePaul. Despite trailing by just one point at halftime, the Blue Demons faltered during a 21-5 Red Raiders run to open the second half, highlighting areas in need of improvement.

“We just didn’t have the kind of defensive force we needed,” Holtmann said. “Some of it was nerves … but we just didn’t play with the force we needed to.”

Offensively, DePaul relied on its bench against Texas Tech, with Jacob Meyer scoring 14 points and JJ Traynor adding 11. However, no starters reached double figures, and the team committed 14 turnovers, a glaring issue as they face tougher competition.

Providence’s Consistency Woes

The Friars (6-4) arrive in Chicago after a disappointing 69-63 loss to in-state rival Rhode Island on Saturday. Providence held a 35-28 halftime lead but faltered in the second half, shooting just 5-for-20 from 3-point range and turning the ball over 13 times.

“We’re still learning the value of possessions,” head coach Kim English said. “We’ve got to flush this. We’ve got to get better.”

Bryce Hopkins and Bensley Joseph each scored 16 points in the loss, while Jayden Pierre contributed 12. Hopkins, the team’s leading scorer (15.7 points per game), will need to set the tone for a Friars squad eager to bounce back.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Bryce Hopkins vs. DePaul Defense: Hopkins has the ability to dominate offensively and will test DePaul’s ability to limit a versatile scorer.
• DePaul’s Bench vs. Providence’s Depth: Meyer and Traynor’s scoring punch off the bench will be crucial, especially if DePaul’s starters struggle to find their rhythm.
• Turnover Battle: Both teams struggled with turnovers in their previous games, and limiting mistakes will be a deciding factor in this matchup.

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What’s at Stake

• DePaul: Establishing confidence and momentum in Big East play, while breaking a lengthy conference losing streak.
• Providence: Bouncing back from an uneven nonconference schedule and proving it can contend in a highly competitive Big East.

Series History

Providence has dominated the all-time series, leading 40-13, and has won five straight road games against DePaul.

This matchup will be a litmus test for two teams still searching for consistency, with the Blue Demons hoping to rewrite their Big East narrative and the Friars looking to solidify their identity under English.