Depaul Blue Demons vs Villanova Wildcats Picks and Predictions February 5th 2025

Villanova Seeks Big East Standings Boost Against DePaul in Key Conference Clash

Villanova and DePaul, two struggling Big East programs, will face off on Wednesday in Chicago, each looking to turn their season around. The Wildcats (12-10, 5-6 Big East) are led by NCAA scoring leader Eric Dixon and Miami transfer Wooga Poplar, while DePaul (11-12, 2-10) hopes to build on its recent win over Seton Hall.

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Villanova’s Battle for Consistency

Villanova enters the matchup on a three-game losing streak, having dropped five of its last six contests. The Wildcats were previously on an impressive 8-1 run, but close losses—like their recent 62-60 setback against Creighton—have halted their momentum.

Dixon’s Dominance in the Big East

Eric Dixon, a graduate student forward, is putting together a historic season, averaging 24.2 points per game, the highest in the NCAA. In Villanova’s last game, Dixon surpassed 2,000 career points, inching closer to Kerry Kittles’ all-time program scoring record (2,243 points). Despite his efforts, Villanova remains locked in a four-way tie for fifth place in the conference with Georgetown, Xavier, and Providence.

Wooga Poplar’s Impact

Miami transfer Wooga Poplar has emerged as a key contributor, dropping 24 points against Creighton. His scoring presence provides Villanova with an additional offensive weapon, but the team’s struggles in clutch moments have prevented them from securing key wins.

NCAA Tournament Implications

With the Big East likely sending five teams to the NCAA Tournament, Villanova’s postseason hopes are still alive but dwindling. However, another close loss—like their two one-possession defeats in the past three games—could push them further out of contention.

“It’s a Big East game, going against high-level players and a high-level program. Unfortunately, we ended up on the other side of where we wanted to be,” Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune said after the Creighton loss. “We’ll be ready for the next one.”

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DePaul Aims for Stability After Seton Hall Win

Like Villanova, DePaul has struggled in conference play, losing eight of its last ten games. However, the Blue Demons showed signs of life with a 74-57 victory over Seton Hall on Sunday.

N.J. Benson’s Breakout Performance

Missouri State transfer N.J. Benson was a major catalyst in DePaul’s win, posting 17 points and 11 rebounds for his third double-double of the season.

“Consistency is our next step with him,” DePaul head coach Chris Holtmann said. “Can he be consistent from practice to practice and game to game? From the start of the season, he’s probably grown as much as any player in the country.”

Can DePaul Keep Momentum?

While DePaul’s Big East Tournament hopes are slim, a win over Villanova would mark their second consecutive victory and signal progress under Holtmann. The Blue Demons will need to replicate their balanced scoring effort from the Seton Hall game, in which four players reached double figures.

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Key Storylines to Watch

✅ Can Villanova shake off its losing streak and boost its NCAA Tournament chances?
✅ Will Eric Dixon continue his scoring dominance and break Kittles’ record?
✅ Can DePaul build on its Seton Hall win and establish consistency?
✅ Which team will execute better in the closing minutes, given their recent struggles in tight games?

Game Outlook: A Must-Win for Both Teams

Villanova enters desperate for a win to keep its March Madness hopes alive, while DePaul is seeking consistency in an otherwise disappointing season. With Dixon and Poplar leading the charge for the Wildcats and Benson emerging as a key contributor for the Blue Demons, this Big East clash promises to be a competitive battle.

Will Villanova bounce back, or will DePaul pull off another upset? The answer unfolds Wednesday in Chicago.