Marquette Men’s Basketball is gearing up for an important Big East clash against the DePaul Blue Demons. The game will take place on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 7:30 PM Central at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
Matchup Overview
Marquette enters the game with a record of 6-12 overall and 1-6 in Big East play, while DePaul boasts a record of 10-7 and a 2-4 mark in conference games. The matchup will see Marquette ranked #118 and DePaul at #109 in the latest standings.
Player Highlights
- 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 and Expectations
According to statistical analyses, DePaul has a 66% chance of winning, with a predicted score of 73-69 in their favor. Marquette’s recent performance includes a disappointing 2-8 record in their last ten games, while DePaul has balanced their recent efforts, finishing 5-5 over the same period.
Tactical Analysis
This game promises to be a defensive contest. Marquette’s offensive efficiency ranks low, placing them at #207, while DePaul stands out defensively at #40. The key for Marquette will be to enhance their turnovers created, as they are currently among the top 70 teams in this category. They will need to leverage their ability to force mistakes from DePaul, who struggles with a high turnover rate in both overall and league play.
Defensive Matchups
DePaul is particularly adept at forcing turnovers but struggles with defensive rebounding, currently ranked #222 in the nation. For Marquette, they must take advantage of this weakness by maximizing offensive rebounds, especially considering DePaul’s struggles on the defensive glass.
Historic Context
All-time, Marquette leads the series against DePaul 87-50. They have also won their last six encounters, with the most recent victory occurring during Shaka Smart’s first season in charge.
As the teams prepare to face off, both squads will be looking to capitalize on their strengths and improve upon their standings in the Big East. The outcome could significantly impact both teams’ trajectories for the remainder of the season.
