DePaul Blue Demons vs Xavier Musketeers Picks and Predictions for Saturday, January 31, 2026
The DePaul Blue Demons will be on the road Saturday afternoon for a 1:00 PM match-up inside the Cintas Center in Cincinnati, OH, against the Xavier Musketeers, and we have you ready to roll with our DePaul vs Xavier prediction. DePaul has 12 wins and 9 losses thus far this season, entering Saturday. The Xavier Musketeers return home Saturday, one game above .500 through 21 games played. The Blue Demons come into Saturday struggling a bit as of late, having lost three of the last five, following a nine-point loss to Georgetown in their last outing. Xavier limps into this matchup riding a three-game skid after an 18-point road Loss to Seton Hall in their last game. Read more about this DePaul vs Xavier prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
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Depaul Looks for Conference win
Offensively, DePaul has been strong enough this season, averaging 72.7 points on 44% shooting from the floor. Defensively, DePaul has been stout, holding opponents to 69.5 points per game this season, but has given up an average of 76.3 points per game over its last three losses. Offensively, DePaul was terrible in their last outing, scoring 61 points on 41% shooting, including 39% from 3-point range. Defensively, the Blue Demons were outmatched, allowing 70 points on 51% shooting, and Georgetown knocked down 5 3-pointers. DePaul lost the rebounding by three and turned the ball over 11 times in the loss. RJ Smith and Layden Blocker led the way for the DePaul starters against Georgetown, scoring 13 points apiece. Brandon Maclin led all DePaul players with 19 points on 15 shots in 28 minutes off the bench.
CJ Gunn leads the DePaul offense this season with 14.3 points per game. Layden Blocker is second on the roster with 12 points, including the team-leading 3.7 assists. Big man NJ Benson averages 10 points and leads the team, pulling in seven rebounds per game. Brandon Maclin averages 9.3 points, and RJ Smith is fifth on the team, averaging eight points per game.
Key Injury Report for DePaul:
- Jeremy Lorenz (Questionable) - Undisclosed
- Amsal Delalic (Out) -Knee
Xavier tries to end the skid
The Xavier offense is averaging 78 points on 44% shooting this season through 21 games. Defensively, Xavier is holding opponents to 77.6 points per game this season, but has allowed an average of 89.3 points during its current three-game skid. Offensively, Xavier was terrible in their last outing, scoring only 68 points after just 27 in the second half on 46% shooting and 29% from beyond the arc. Defensively, Xavier was outmatched, allowing 86 points, including 56 in the second half, to blow an 11-point halftime lead at Seton Hall. Xavier shot 43% from the floor and knocked down 5 triples in the game. Xavier lost the rebounding battle by double digits and turned the ball over 19 times in the loss. Tre Carroll led the way for the Xavier offense in their last outing with 22 points on 13 shots in 30 minutes. Jovan Milcevic added a second-best 16 points on 14 shots. Isaiah Walker led the way out of the Xavier bench with 13 points on seven shots in 23 minutes.
Tre Carroll leads the Xavier offense this season, averaging 18.2 points per game. Roddie Anderson III is second on the team after 11.8 points, Jovan Milicevic is third on the team with 11.7 points per game. Malik Messina-Moore is the fourth player on the roster in double digits this season, averaging 10.7 points per game. Filip Borovicanin averaged 7.7 points to go over the team’s leading 8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
Key Injury Report for Xavier:
- Luke Naser (Questionable) - Undisclosed
- Kason Westphal (Out) - Redshirt
DePaul vs Xavier Pick
- DePaul vs Xavier Spread Pick
Both teams have had their issues thus far this season, as each is hovering just above .500. Look for Xavier to make the plays in this matchup to end their recent skid. The Musketeers are the better offensive team and will be in front of their home fans Saturday. Xavier will handle the job on Saturday as they earn their 12th win of the season, covering at home to end their three-game losing streak.
- DePaul vs Xavier Over/Under Pick
Both teams are mediocre on offense, but each will rely heavily on its defense to return to winning ways. Expecting a defensive battle Saturday in the Big East as both teams desperately need a victory. Look for Xavier to make the plays down the stretch to get the win, but the number will go under the total as the Xavier Musketeers pulled off the victory at home.
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