DePaul University Athletics
DePaul to Attend Fort Myers Tip-Off Over Thanksgiving
5/21/2026 12:30:00 PM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
FORT MYERS, Fla. – DePaul men's basketball was announced Thursday as one of the teams participating in the ninth edition of the Fort Myers Tip-Off this season, set to take place Nov. 24 and 26 at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, Fla.
The Blue Demons will participate in the event for the first time with a Nov. 24 contest against Purdue, followed by a Thanksgiving Day matchup against Pitt. Oklahoma rounds out the four-team field.
The Fort Myers Tip-Off has established itself as one of college basketball's premier early-season events, featuring some of the sport's top programs in recent years, including 2026 national champion Michigan and 2025 national champion Florida. DePaul head coach Chris Holtmann attended the event in 2021 while at Ohio State.
Travel and team ticket packages will be available online later this spring at www.FortMyersTipoff.com. Official Blue Demon Fan Travel Packages include accommodations in an official tournament hotel, game tickets to both DePaul games, and VIP parking at the arena. Single Game ticket sales, game times and television information will be announced this fall.
DePaul and Purdue will face off for the first time in 20 years after last meeting at the 2006 Maui Invitational. The Boilermakers lead the all-time series, 12-9. Purdue went 30-9 last season, coming off an Elite Eight appearance that marked the program's seventh Sweet Sixteen appearance in the last nine tournaments held. DePaul assistant coach Jack Owens previously spent nine seasons at Purdue under former head coach Matt Painter.
Pitt enters the 2026-27 season after posting a 13-20 record last year under head coach Jeff Capel, who enters his ninth season at the helm. The matchup marks another meeting against a former conference opponent for DePaul on next season's schedule, as Pitt owns a 9-2 all-time series advantage. The two programs last met in 2013.
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
Join Blue Demon Nation for BIG EAST hoops at Wintrust Arena! Deposits for NEW season tickets for the 2026-27 season are now being accepted for just $25 per seat.
Visit DePaulBlueDemons.com/Commit to lock in your spot on the priority list and choose seats this summer. Deposits will be applied to final season ticket package orders. Season ticket renewals for existing accounts will debut later this Spring. For more information or to speak with a ticket representative, contact the DePaul Ticket Office at 773-325-7527.
ABOUT THE FORT MYERS TIP-OFF
An annual celebration of men's and women's college basketball, the Fort Myers Tip-Off welcomes the top programs from around the country for incredible competition to see which teams and their fans will #OwnTheFort during Thanksgiving Week. Contested at Suncoast Credit Union Arena, the home of Florida SouthWestern State College, the Fort Myers Tip-Off has quickly become a staple of the Southwest Florida sports calendar. To receive the latest email alerts regarding tournament news, ticket information and more, visit our website at www.fortmyerstipoff.com or www.womensfortmyerstipoff.com and follow Intersport Basketball on Twitter (X) and Instagram at @IntersportHoops.
ABOUT INTERSPORT
Intersport is an award-winning agency that fills the empty space between marketing campaigns and consumers—helping brands make more meaningful connections. Its industry-leading team offers expert insights in content marketing, experiential marketing, hospitality, partnership consulting and platform development. The Chicago-based agency also owns and operates events across the professional and collegiate sports landscape, including basketball, football, golf, pickleball and volleyball. Intersport has been headquartered in Chicago since its inception in 1985 and has an additional office in Detroit. Learn more at www.intersport.global and on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook).
The Blue Demons will participate in the event for the first time with a Nov. 24 contest against Purdue, followed by a Thanksgiving Day matchup against Pitt. Oklahoma rounds out the four-team field.
The Fort Myers Tip-Off has established itself as one of college basketball's premier early-season events, featuring some of the sport's top programs in recent years, including 2026 national champion Michigan and 2025 national champion Florida. DePaul head coach Chris Holtmann attended the event in 2021 while at Ohio State.
Travel and team ticket packages will be available online later this spring at www.FortMyersTipoff.com. Official Blue Demon Fan Travel Packages include accommodations in an official tournament hotel, game tickets to both DePaul games, and VIP parking at the arena. Single Game ticket sales, game times and television information will be announced this fall.
DePaul and Purdue will face off for the first time in 20 years after last meeting at the 2006 Maui Invitational. The Boilermakers lead the all-time series, 12-9. Purdue went 30-9 last season, coming off an Elite Eight appearance that marked the program's seventh Sweet Sixteen appearance in the last nine tournaments held. DePaul assistant coach Jack Owens previously spent nine seasons at Purdue under former head coach Matt Painter.
Pitt enters the 2026-27 season after posting a 13-20 record last year under head coach Jeff Capel, who enters his ninth season at the helm. The matchup marks another meeting against a former conference opponent for DePaul on next season's schedule, as Pitt owns a 9-2 all-time series advantage. The two programs last met in 2013.
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
Join Blue Demon Nation for BIG EAST hoops at Wintrust Arena! Deposits for NEW season tickets for the 2026-27 season are now being accepted for just $25 per seat.
Visit DePaulBlueDemons.com/Commit to lock in your spot on the priority list and choose seats this summer. Deposits will be applied to final season ticket package orders. Season ticket renewals for existing accounts will debut later this Spring. For more information or to speak with a ticket representative, contact the DePaul Ticket Office at 773-325-7527.
ABOUT THE FORT MYERS TIP-OFF
An annual celebration of men's and women's college basketball, the Fort Myers Tip-Off welcomes the top programs from around the country for incredible competition to see which teams and their fans will #OwnTheFort during Thanksgiving Week. Contested at Suncoast Credit Union Arena, the home of Florida SouthWestern State College, the Fort Myers Tip-Off has quickly become a staple of the Southwest Florida sports calendar. To receive the latest email alerts regarding tournament news, ticket information and more, visit our website at www.fortmyerstipoff.com or www.womensfortmyerstipoff.com and follow Intersport Basketball on Twitter (X) and Instagram at @IntersportHoops.
ABOUT INTERSPORT
Intersport is an award-winning agency that fills the empty space between marketing campaigns and consumers—helping brands make more meaningful connections. Its industry-leading team offers expert insights in content marketing, experiential marketing, hospitality, partnership consulting and platform development. The Chicago-based agency also owns and operates events across the professional and collegiate sports landscape, including basketball, football, golf, pickleball and volleyball. Intersport has been headquartered in Chicago since its inception in 1985 and has an additional office in Detroit. Learn more at www.intersport.global and on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook).
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