DePaul University Athletics
Wednesday, December 31
Villanova, PA
5 p.m.
DePaul University
at
Villanova
Blue Demons Face Villanova in New Years Eve Matchup
12/30/2025 4:26:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
VILLANOVA, PA. – DePaul hits the road for a New Year's Eve conference matchup against Villanova, Wednesday, Dec. 31. The game is slated for a 5 p.m. CT tip on FS1 with Emmanuel Barbari and Donny Marshall on the call. Zach Zaidman and Dave Corzine will have DePaul's radio broadcast on SiriusXM and the DePaul Blue Demons app.
The Blue Demons defense is holding opponents to an average of 69 points per game, which ranks fourth in the BIG EAST. Villanova ranks one notch ahead, ranking third in the BIG EAST in allowing 66.9 points on average to its opponents.
LAST TIME OUT
DePaul (8-5, 0-2 BIG EAST) played its second-straight game against a top-25 opponent in #5 UConn before the holiday break. The Blue Demons and Huskies had a back and forth first half that featured five ties and five lead changes, before UConn took a 33-30 halftime lead that would propel them to victory. Layden Blocker led all DePaul scorers with 11 points, in addition to three assists, followed by a 10-point performance by Kruz McClure. McClure's scoring effort was the most for a Blue Demon freshman against a top five ranked team since 2020.
THE SERIES
Villanova leads the all-time series 37-9, including both meetings between the two teams last season. DePaul's last win in the series came Jan. 10, 2023 in a 75-65 defeat over the Wildcats. The Blue Demons are looking for their first road win the series since Jan. 6, 2007 where they won three-straight on the road against Villanova.
SCOUTING VILLANOVA
Villanova (10-2, 1-0 BIG EAST) looks to continue a three-game win streak that included a 64-56 win over Seton Hall in the team's conference opener. The Wildcats are led by Kevin Willard who makes his return to the BIG EAST this season after previously coaching at Seton Hall (2010-22). Willard and DePaul's coach Chris Holtmann also previously crossed paths in the Big 10 when Willard was the head coach at Maryland from 2022-25. Willard's Wildcats rank 35th nationally with 10.6 three-pointers per game and are doing so at a 37.1 clip, which leads the BIG EAST.
The team is led by Bryce Lindsay's 16.6 points per game with another four Wildcats also averaging in double-figures. Acaden Lewis handles point guard responsibilities and ranks third in the conference with 5 assists per game and a 3.00 assist-to-turnover ratio. Duke Brennan is averaging a double-double on the season with 12 points per game in addition to 11.4 rebounds – which ranks sixth nationally.
UP NEXT
DePaul returns home for a pair of BIG EAST matchups, beginning Saturday, Jan. 3 against Xavier. The game tips off at 1 p.m. on FS1.
The Blue Demons defense is holding opponents to an average of 69 points per game, which ranks fourth in the BIG EAST. Villanova ranks one notch ahead, ranking third in the BIG EAST in allowing 66.9 points on average to its opponents.
LAST TIME OUT
DePaul (8-5, 0-2 BIG EAST) played its second-straight game against a top-25 opponent in #5 UConn before the holiday break. The Blue Demons and Huskies had a back and forth first half that featured five ties and five lead changes, before UConn took a 33-30 halftime lead that would propel them to victory. Layden Blocker led all DePaul scorers with 11 points, in addition to three assists, followed by a 10-point performance by Kruz McClure. McClure's scoring effort was the most for a Blue Demon freshman against a top five ranked team since 2020.
THE SERIES
Villanova leads the all-time series 37-9, including both meetings between the two teams last season. DePaul's last win in the series came Jan. 10, 2023 in a 75-65 defeat over the Wildcats. The Blue Demons are looking for their first road win the series since Jan. 6, 2007 where they won three-straight on the road against Villanova.
SCOUTING VILLANOVA
Villanova (10-2, 1-0 BIG EAST) looks to continue a three-game win streak that included a 64-56 win over Seton Hall in the team's conference opener. The Wildcats are led by Kevin Willard who makes his return to the BIG EAST this season after previously coaching at Seton Hall (2010-22). Willard and DePaul's coach Chris Holtmann also previously crossed paths in the Big 10 when Willard was the head coach at Maryland from 2022-25. Willard's Wildcats rank 35th nationally with 10.6 three-pointers per game and are doing so at a 37.1 clip, which leads the BIG EAST.
The team is led by Bryce Lindsay's 16.6 points per game with another four Wildcats also averaging in double-figures. Acaden Lewis handles point guard responsibilities and ranks third in the conference with 5 assists per game and a 3.00 assist-to-turnover ratio. Duke Brennan is averaging a double-double on the season with 12 points per game in addition to 11.4 rebounds – which ranks sixth nationally.
UP NEXT
DePaul returns home for a pair of BIG EAST matchups, beginning Saturday, Jan. 3 against Xavier. The game tips off at 1 p.m. on FS1.
Players Mentioned
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