DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Open BIG EAST Slate at Villanova
12/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - DePaul opens the BIG EAST schedule at top-ranked Villanova on Wednesday night at The Pavilion. The game is the opener of DePaul's 12th season as a member of the BIG EAST Conference.
Wednesday's game will be televised on FS1 with Joe Davis (play-by-play) and Bill Raftery (analyst) handling the television duties. The game can also be seen online and on mobile devices via FOX Sports Go. DePaul's radio tandem of Zach Zaidman (play-by-play) and Jeff Blanzy (analyst) can be heard on WSCR 670 AM as well as online on BlueTube at www.depaulbluedemons.com. Live stats can be found on GameTracker at www.depaulbluedemons.com while in-game scoring updates and notes can be followed on Twitter at @DePaulSID.
Villanova - ranked No. 1 in both national polls - stands at 12-0 following a 90-48 win against American on Dec. 21. The Blue Demons are 7-6 to start the 2016-17 campaign after two losses last week in the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic. Head coach Dave Leitao is in his fifth season at DePaul and his second since returning to the program after leading the Blue Demons three postseasons in three years from 2002-05. Overall, the 2016-17 campaign is Leitao's 11th as a head coach at the collegiate level. Villanova is led by Jay Wright who is in his 16th season leading the Wildcats.
Following Wednesday's game, DePaul returns to Allstate Arena to host St. John's on Jan. 1. The Blue Demons and Red Storm are scheduled for a 1 p.m. start on FS1 and WSCR 670 AM.
Against No. 1: Wednesday's game against Villanova marks the 23rd occasion the Blue Demons have faced the top-ranked team in the Associated Press poll... the Blue Demons are 3-19 all-time in games against No. 1... DePaul's last top-ranked opponent was Villanova last season on Feb. 9 at Allstate Arena... Villanova was the second No. 1 opponent for DePaul at Allstate Arena... top-ranked Syracuse defeated DePaul, 87-68, on Jan. 1, 2012.
BIG EAST Openers: The Blue Demons are 2-9 in BIG EAST first games following last season's 70-58 loss to Georgetown. Two years ago, the Blue Demons defeated Marquette, Xavier and Creighton to begin the league slate for the program's first 3-0 record in conference play.
DePaul has been a member of a conference since the 1991-92 season starting with membership in the Great Midwest Conference followed by a 10-year run in Conference USA. The Blue Demons joined the BIG EAST in July 2005 and are 6-20 all-time in conference openers.
Noting the Blue Demons: The men's basketball program is 1,435-970 (.597) all-time... the 82-61 win over No. 20/20 George Washington on Dec. 22, 2015 was win No. 1,425 since start of 1923-24 season... according to ESPN, DePaul's margin of victory over No. 20/20 George Washington was the largest in program history as an unranked team over a ranked opponent... the Blue Demons have knocked down at least one three-pointer in 720 straight games... DePaul's last game without a three was Feb. 16, 1993 against UAB at Allstate Arena... the Blue Demons are 341-176 (.660) all-time at Allstate Arena... DePaul is 12-3 (.800) all-time in games at McGrath-Phillips Arena.
The Opponent - Villanova Wildcats: Villanova is 12-0 entering BIG EAST play and ranked No. 1 in both national polls... the Wildcats posted a 90-48 win over American on Dec. 21... four players are averaging in double-figures... Josh Hart leads team with 20.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game... others averaging double-figures include Kris Jenkins (12.8 ppg), Jalen Brunson (12.8 ppg) and Mikal Bridges (10.7 ppg)... head coach Jay Wright is in his 16th season leading the Wildcats... DePaul head coach Dave Leitao is 0-2 all-time against Villanova.
The Series: Wednesday is the 31st all-time meeting between the two programs... the Wildcats hold a 22-8 advantage in the series... Villanova has won the last 12 meetings... Villanova swept the series last season with an 86-59 win at Allstate Arena on Feb. 9 and a 83-62 decision at The Pavilion on March 1... DePaul's last win against Villanova was an 84-76 victory on Jan. 3, 2008.
The Last Meeting: No. 3/2 Villanova defeated visiting DePaul, 83-62, on March 1, 2016 at The Pavilion... Eli Cain scored 14 points to lead the Blue Demons... Myke Henry added 13 points and nine rebounds... DePaul trailed 11-10 with 14:20 in the first half before Kris Jenkins connected on four straight three-point attempts that led a 14-0 run for Villanova... Jenkins finished the night with a game-high 31 points on eight three-pointers... Villanova scored the first seven points of the second half to take its largest lead of the game at 58-33 just under two minutes into the frame... Aaron Simpson knocked down three three-pointers and finished the game with 11 points while Tommy Hamilton IV totaled nine points and nine rebounds... Rashaun Stimage also added nine points and six boards for the Blue Demons... Josh Hart added 18 points for Villanova.
It Could Happen: Billy Garrett Jr. could secure his 75th career game in double-figures with at least 10 points against Villanova... Garrett (1,344 points) needs 18 points to pass Will Walker (1,361 points, 2006-10) for 19th on DePaul's all-time scoring list... with three three-pointers, Garrett (113 3pt. FG) passes Sammy Mejia (115 3pt. FG, 2003-07) for 14th place... Chris Harrison-Docks is playing in his 85th career collegiate game (10 at DePaul/74 at Western Kentucky).
Demon Doings: Notes following DePaul's 69-58 loss against Missouri State on Friday at the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic:
- The Blue Demons scored a season-low 58 points for the second straight game.
- Billy Garrett Jr. made his 100th career start at DePaul... he also moved into 20th on DePaul's all-time scoring list... Garrett (1,344 points) passed Draelon Burns (1,329 points, 2004-08) and Terence Greene (1,334 points, 1985-89).
- The series is tied 1-1... prior to this season, the two programs had not played each other.
Trendy: The Blue Demons have scored a season-low 58 points in each of the last two games... since the start 2010-11 season (202 games), DePaul has scored less than 60 points in back-to-back games seven times... the Blue Demons totaled 42 assists in the last back-to-back games against Chicago State and Southeast Missouri State... it marks the first back-to-back games with 20 or more assists since the 2006-07 season... the Blue Demons totaled 20 assists against California on Dec. 23 and 22 against Northwestern State on Dec. 29... a year ago, DePaul totaled 20 assists just once during the season... DePaul is outscoring opponents 543-473 in the second half this season... on the flip side, the Blue Demons have been outscored, 440-406, in the first half... the opponent has won the opening tip four times this season... DePaul is 3-1 in those games... when the Blue Demon win the opening tip, they are 4-5 this season.
On Deck: DePaul hosts St. John's in the first of nine BIG EAST games at Allstate Arena... the Blue Demons and Red Storm meet on Sunday, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m... St. John's leads the all-time series, 20-17... the two sides have split the last six meetings... a year ago, each team won on its home floor... St. John's posted an 80-65 win at Carnesecca Arena on Feb. 17... the Blue Demons won at Allstate Arena, 83-75, on Feb. 25... St. John's is 6-7 and hosts Butler on Thursday night in the conference opener.
