Men's Basketball Opens 2025-26 Season

Monday, November 3

Chicago, Ill.

7 p.m.

DePaul University

Chicago State

11/2/2025 11:54:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL

DePaul Game Notes (PDF)Live Stats Watch (ESPN+)

DePaul hosts Chicago State at Wintrust Arena

CHICAGO – DePaul men's basketball opens its second season under head coach Chris Holtmann on Monday, Nov. 3, when the Blue Demons host crosstown foe Chicago State at Wintrust Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Evan Stockton and Jerel McNeal will have the call on ESPN+, while fans can tune in to Sirius XM or the DePaul Blue Demons App to hear Zach Zaidman and Dave Corzine on the radio broadcast.

Tickets for Monday's game can be purchased at DePaulBlueDemons.com/MBBTickets.

SCOUTING DEPAUL
DePaul looks to build on its momentum from the end of the 2024-25 campaign, when the Blue Demons won three of their final four BIG EAST games and made their first postseason appearance since 2019. The program returns three of its top four scorers from last season – NJ Benson, Layden Blocker and CJ Gunn – and welcomes 11 newcomers, including six transfers and three freshmen.

In a pair of exhibition wins over Loyola Chicago and Notre Dame, the Blue Demons showcased their three-point shooting and ball movement. Colorado transfer RJ Smith averaged 13.0 points across the two contests, while Tulane transfer Kaleb Banks added 10.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

DEPAUL IN SEASON OPENERS
DePaul is 88-14 all-time in season openers and has won six of its last seven. Holtmann enters the year with 12-straight season-opening victories as a head coach, including last season's 80-78 overtime win against Southern Indiana. Monday's game marks DePaul's first season opener against another Chicago program since the 2014-15 season.

SCOUTING CHICAGO STATE
Chicago State is led by first-year head coach Landon Bussie, who joined the Cougars in March after five successful season at Alcorn State where he guided the Braves to two SWAC regular-season titles. Bussie's first Cougar roster features 12 newcomers and four returners, including Quincy Allen, who averaged 8.9 points and 5.2 rebounds last season.

The Cougars were picked sixth in the preseason NEC poll, entering their second season as members of the league.

THE SERIES
Monday's matchup is the first meeting between DePaul and Chicago State since the 2023-24 season, when the Blue Demons earned a 70-58 win at Wintrust Arena. DePaul leads the all-time series 17-0, dating back to the first meeting in 1992. This will be the 16^th game in the series played at DePaul's home venue and the fifth-straight.

UP NEXT
DePaul continues it homestand to open the season Friday, Nov. 7, hosting Stonehill in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Wintrust Arena.

FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Men's Basketball, please visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on X, Instagram and Facebook.

TICKET INFORMATION
Season tickets for the 2025-26 DePaul men's basketball season are on sale now, starting at just $250. Season ticket holders receive access to every game at Wintrust Arena and exclusive benefits! Secure your seats today at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Tickets. Group ticket deposits are also available for parties of 10 or more, perfect for bringing coworkers, teams or friends to a game. Explore all group ticket options at DePaulBlueDemons.com/Groups.