Marquette Men’s Basketball: Big East Preview Against DePaul
The Marquette Golden Eagles will face the DePaul Blue Demons in a Big East matchup on January 16, 2026. The game will take place at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, with a start time of 7:30 PM Central.
Team Overview
Marquette heads into this game with a record of 6-12 overall and 1-6 in the Big East. They are currently ranked #118 nationally. Their last victory occurred against Xavier, but they have struggled, sitting at the lowest ranking since January 30, 2016. In contrast, DePaul boasts a better record of 10-7 overall and 2-4 in the Big East, placing them at #109 in national rankings.
Players to Watch
- Marquette:
- Chase Ross: 15.8 points per game (ppg)
- Ben Gold: 6.4 rebounds per game (rpg)
- Nigel James: 4.0 assists per game (apg)
- DePaul:
- CJ Gunn: 13.5 ppg
- NJ Benson: 6.9 rpg
- Layden Blocker: 3.7 apg
Game Projections
DePaul has a 66% probability of winning this matchup, with a projected final score of 73-69. The algorithm forecasts a close game, suggesting DePaul may secure the win by two possessions.
Recent Performance
Marquette has struggled recently with a 2-8 record in their last ten games. Their last two outings resulted in defeats, and they’ve lost eight of their last nine contests. Conversely, DePaul holds a 5-5 record in their last ten games but recently faced two losses against UConn, which might affect their momentum.
Style of Play
This matchup is anticipated to reflect contrasting playing styles. Marquette is ranked #165 for offense, while DePaul ranks #40 in defense. On the other hand, DePaul’s offense is at #207, compared to Marquette’s #85 defense.
Rebounding and Turnovers
- Defensive rebounding: DePaul ranks #222 nationally.
- Marquette is average at offensive rebounding.
- Marquette is among the top 70 teams in forcing turnovers, which could be advantageous against DePaul’s lower ranking in offensive turnover rate.
Historical Context
All-time, Marquette leads the series against DePaul with a record of 87-50. They have won the last six encounters, including eight of the last nine meetings. DePaul’s most recent win came during Shaka Smart’s inaugural season with Marquette.
As the teams prepare to clash on January 16, this game holds significance for both, with Marquette aiming to reverse their season’s misfortunes and DePaul looking to capitalize on their recent form.
