Depaul Blue Demons vs Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles Picks and Predictions November 4th 2024

Chris Holtmann Era Begins as DePaul Hosts Southern Indiana

Chris Holtmann, striving for a new beginning following his departure from Ohio State, is now in charge at DePaul with a special chance to revive a faltering program. After a disappointing 3-29 season last year, the Blue Demons will kick off the season with a home game against Southern Indiana on Monday evening in Chicago.

Holtmann’s Goal: Bringing Back to Life DePaul Basketball

Holtmann has a history of success, leading Butler and Ohio State to seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances in the past. Nevertheless, his Buckeyes’ disappointing records of 16-19 and 14-11 in the last two seasons in Columbus resulted in his termination. Currently, he is enthusiastic about introducing a fresh strategy at DePaul that emphasizes high-energy performance and effectiveness when shooting from long range.

“Target a specific style of play that we want to play and recruit to that,” Holtmann said, emphasizing his goal of a fast-paced, three-point-centric offense. “We’ve also really tried to target guys who can rally around the idea of making DePaul relevant again.”

Holtmann will lead a completely revamped roster, with over ten new players joining the program via the transfer portal. Among them, several players are expected to stand out, including Jacob Meyer, who averaged 15.7 points per game at Coastal Carolina; Isaiah Rivera from UIC, who contributed 15.4 points per game; Davidson transfer David Skogman, who averaged 13.3 points; and Conor Enright, a solid starter from Drake.

Southern Indiana: Seeking Improvement in Division I

The Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles, who are entering their third season at the Division I level, are looking to turn things around after an 8-24 finish last season. The Eagles, led by head coach Stan Gouard, were projected to finish eighth in the Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll, but they’re focused on making strides with a scrappy, competitive approach.

“Just excited to push the reset button,” Gouard said, expressing optimism for a more competitive season. “Just give ourselves a chance to compete … Just being competitive night in, night out.”

Southern Indiana returns a key piece in Jack Mielke, a Chicago-area native who started nearly every game last season, averaging 8.5 points and 4.1 rebounds. The Eagles also added VMI transfer Stephen Olowoniyi, who brings an inside presence with averages of 7.8 points and 5.3 rebounds last year.

Join the Elite and Start Winning More! Sign Up for unparalleled sports analysis, exclusive tips, and insider knowledge.

What to Expect in Monday’s Matchup

• New Look for DePaul: With an entirely new roster and a coach committed to changing the culture, this game will serve as Holtmann’s first opportunity to evaluate his players in live competition. Fans can expect an up-tempo style with a focus on the three-point shot.
• Southern Indiana’s Grit: The Eagles may not have the firepower of a high-major team, but Gouard has his team prepared to compete. They’ll look to disrupt DePaul’s rhythm with a hard-nosed style and rely on players like Mielke and Olowoniyi to keep the score close.
• Setting the Tone: For DePaul, this opener is more than just a game—it’s a statement of intent. Holtmann and his players aim to bring excitement back to a program that has lacked consistency and relevance in recent years.

As DePaul looks to put a rough season behind them and Southern Indiana seeks to make its mark at the Division I level, this opener could serve as a launching pad for both programs to reach new heights. Holtmann’s debut at DePaul is undoubtedly one of the early storylines to watch this college basketball season.