Villanova Wildcats vs Depaul Blue Demons Picks and Predictions January 4th 2025

Wooga Poplar leads Villanova into date with DePaul

While forward Eric Dixon continues to dominate as Villanova’s top scorer and the nation’s leading points-per-game player at 26.0, the Wildcats are getting an extra spark from the backcourt, courtesy of Wooga Poplar.

Poplar’s all-around game has been a revelation this season. Heading into Saturday’s home matchup with DePaul, Poplar leads Villanova in rebounding at 7.2 boards per game and is coming off back-to-back double-doubles in Big East play. His recent performances have been critical to Villanova’s success, helping the Wildcats to a 9-5 record overall and 2-1 in the conference.

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Poplar’s Double-Double Streak Powers Villanova

• On Dec. 21, Poplar scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a tough road loss to Creighton.
• Just days later, he followed up with 18 points and a career-high 15 rebounds in a thrilling comeback victory at Butler.

Poplar credits his rebounding prowess to a simple but effective mindset:

“I just put myself to (think), like, ‘Don’t let the other team get the ball,’ and I try to secure the rebound so that we can get back on offense and then also we get stops,” Poplar said.

His focus on securing possessions and igniting the Wildcats’ offense has been instrumental as Villanova looks to solidify its position in the Big East.

Villanova’s Winning Formula

Villanova’s resilience has been a hallmark of their season under head coach Kyle Neptune. The team’s determination was evident in their comeback win over Butler, where they dominated the glass with a +13 rebounding margin. Neptune acknowledged the team’s grit:

“We didn’t start where we wanted to start, but we kept our heads up and kept battling, and we’re going to continue to do that.”

With a two-game homestand ahead, including Saturday’s game against DePaul and a Jan. 8 clash with No. 11 UConn, Villanova is poised to build momentum.

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DePaul’s Struggles and Bright Spots

The Blue Demons are in the midst of a daunting 35-game losing streak in Big East regular-season play. Their latest defeat, a 73-63 home loss to UConn on Wednesday, highlighted their ongoing struggles. Despite the loss, there were flashes of hope:

• Conor Enright stood out with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and strong defensive contributions.
• UConn coach Dan Hurley praised Enright, calling him “Tim Tebow at point guard,” a nod to his versatility and leadership.

DePaul head coach Chris Holtmann echoed those sentiments:

“He’s a good player; I don’t want to dismiss that by any stretch. But it’s more than that. It’s how he competes and how he plays.”

Still, DePaul’s challenges are compounded by injuries, particularly the uncertain status of David Skogman, who has missed two straight games with a right leg injury.

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Key Matchup Factors

Villanova Advantages

• Dominant Scorers: With Dixon leading the nation in scoring and Poplar contributing as a two-way threat, Villanova boasts a balanced offensive attack.
• Rebounding Edge: Poplar’s rebounding focus and the team’s overall dominance on the glass make them tough to beat in the paint.
• Momentum: The Wildcats’ gritty performances in recent games demonstrate their ability to close out tough matchups.

DePaul’s Hopeful Outlook

• Enright’s Leadership: As a steady contributor on both ends, Enright could keep DePaul competitive if his supporting cast steps up.
• Potential Returns: A healthy Skogman could bolster the Blue Demons’ frontcourt presence.

The Road Ahead

For Villanova, the game against DePaul is a chance to extend their strong start in Big East play and prepare for the challenge of facing a ranked UConn squad. For DePaul, the game is another opportunity to end their conference losing streak and build confidence moving forward.

With Poplar and Dixon leading the charge, Villanova appears poised to take advantage of their home-court edge. However, DePaul’s resilience and flashes of brilliance suggest the Blue Demons won’t go down without a fight.