DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Faces #3/2 Villanova on the Road
2/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
RADNOR, Pa. - DePaul plays the final road game of the regular season with a Tuesday night date at Villanova. The Blue Demons and Wildcats meet for the second time this season before DePaul returns to Allstate Arena on Saturday against Seton Hall to close the regular-season schedule.
Tuesday's game will be televised on FS1 with Tim Brando (play-by-play) and Tarik Turner (analyst) handling the television duties. The game can also be seen on mobile devices with the FOX Sports Go app or online at foxsportsgo.com. DePaul's radio tandem of Zach Zaidman (play-by-play) and Jeff Blanzy (analyst) can be heard on WSCR 670 AM and 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 at www.twitter.com/depaulsid.
DePaul is 9-19 overall and 3-13 in BIG EAST action while Villanova - ranked No. 3 in this week's AP poll and No. 2 in the USA TODAY Coaches top 25 - stands at 25-4 overall and 14-2 in league play this season. Head coach Dave Leitao is in his fourth season at DePaul and his first since returning to the program after leading the Blue Demons to three postseasons in three years from 2002-05. Overall, the 2015-16 campaign is Leitao's 10th as a head coach at the collegiate level. Villanova is led by Jay Wright who is in his 15th season leading the Wildcats. Then No. 1-Villanova won the first meeting of the season, 86-59, on Feb. 9 at Allstate Arena.
Following the Villanova game, the Blue Demons host Seton Hall on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the final home game of the regular season. DePaul's senior class will be honored prior to the game and the game can be seen on FS1 and heard on WSCR 670 The Score.
Noting the Blue Demons: The men's basketball program is 1,428-961 (.598) all-time... the 82-61 win over No. 20/20 George Washington on Dec. 22 was win No. 1,425 since start of 1923-24 season... the Blue Demons have knocked down at least one three-pointer in 704 straight games... DePaul's last game without a three was Feb. 16, 1993 against UAB at Allstate Arena... the Blue Demons set school records in 2014-15 with 248 three's and 705 attempts... the Blue Demons are 336-174 (.659) all-time at Allstate Arena... DePaul is 10-2 (.833) all-time in games at McGrath-Phillips Arena... over the last five-plus seasons, DePaul is 15-2 against Chicagoland opponents (Chicago State, UIC, Loyola-Chicago, Northern Illinois, Northwestern)... in the last 10-plus seasons, the record against locals is 20-6... DePaul faced UIC (Dec. 2 - W, 82-55), Chicago State (Dec. 5 - W, 92-76) and Northwestern (Dec. 19 - L, 78-70 (OT)) this season.
The Opponent: Villanova is 25-4 overall and 14-2 in league play after an 89-79 win at Marquette on Saturday... the Wildcats are ranked No. 3 in this week's AP poll and No. 2 in the USA TODAY Coaches top 25... a 90-83 loss on Feb. 24 at Xavier ended a seven-game winning streak... five players are averaging in double-figures... Josh Hart leads team with 15.1 points per game and is second with 7.3 rebounds per game... others averaging double-figures include Kris Jenkins (11.9 ppg), Ryan Arcidiacono (11.8 ppg), Daniel Ochefu (10.7 ppg) and Jalen Brunson (10.6 ppg)... Ochefu averages a team-best 8.3 boards per outing... head coach Jay Wright is in his 15th season leading the Wildcats... DePaul head coach Dave Leitao is 0-1 all-time against Villanova.
The Series: Tuesday is the 30th all-time meeting between the two programs... the Wildcats hold a 21-8 advantage in the series... Villanova has won the last 11 meetings... the Wildcats recorded an 86-59 decision at Allstate Arena on Feb. 9... Villanova swept the series last season with an 81-64 win at The Pavilion on Jan. 10 followed by a 68-55 decision at Allstate Arena on Jan. 31... DePaul's last win against Villanova was an 84-76 victory on Jan. 3, 2008.
It Could Happen: A win gives DePaul its third victory of the season over a ranked opponent... the Blue Demons are 2-5 against ranked opponents... Billy Garrett Jr. needs three three-pointers to become the 19th player in school history with 100 three's... with 18 points, Garrett (1,130 pts.) passes Andre Brown (1,146 pts., 2000-04) for 35th and Quentin Richardson (1,147 pts., 1998-00) for 34th on DePaul's all-time scoring list... Tommy Hamilton IV is playing in his 90th career game... Hamilton needs 10 points for 800 in his career.
Demon Doings: Notes following DePaul's 87-66 loss at Providence on Feb. 27:
- Eli Cain recorded his fourth career game of 20 points or more... the freshman has scored in double-figures in five of the last six games.
- Billy Garrett Jr. (1,130 points) passed Jim Murphy (1,121 points, 1962-65) for 36th place on DePaul's all-time scoring list.
- The Blue Demons are now 2-5 this season against ranked opponents... Providence entered the game at No. 24 in the USA TODAY Coaches poll.
- Providence's .900 (27-30) free throw percentage is the highest by a DePaul opponent this season.
- Providence leads the series, 27-9... the two teams split the regular-season series.
On Deck: DePaul hosts Seton Hall on Saturday at Allstate Arena... the Pirates enter the final week of the regular season at 21-7 overall and 11-5 in BIG EAST action... Seton Hall is receiving votes in both national polls and plays at Butler on Wednesday night... the Pirates claimed the first meeting between the two programs, 78-74, on Jan. 2 at the Prudential Center in Newark... Seton Hall holds an 11-6 advantage in the all-time series... the Jan. 2 loss by DePaul snapped a three-game winning streak in the series.
