March 1, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; DePaul Blue Demons forward NJ Benson (35) takes a shot during the second half against the Marquette Golden Eagles at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Image DePaul may be playing its best basketball at the right time.
Meanwhile, Villanova needs to get back on track without its key contributors.
The Blue Demons can snap a three-game winning streak by snapping a seven-game losing streak to the Wildcats in Big East action Wednesday night in Chicago.
DePaul (16-13, 8-10 Big East), which has a total of seven conference wins over the last three seasons, can get one more this week to match its Big East school record of nine wins from the 2006-07 season. The Blue Demons lost four straight games from January 28 to February. 7, but are 4-1 since then.
Coming off a one-point win at Creighton last Wednesday, DePaul held Marquette to 38.3% shooting overall and 4-of-22 from 3-point range during Sunday’s 62-51 road win. The Blue Demons, who have allowed an average of 64.2 points over their last five contests, are fifth in the conference standings and in position to advance to the quarterfinals of next week’s Big East Tournament.
“We have great kids who really care about this challenge before us and are changing the narrative,” Blue Demons coach Chris Holtmann told Fox 32 Chicago.
“Think of the team first, think of the program first.”
DePaul’s NJ Benson is recording his fifth double-double of the season and is averaging 17.4 points and 10.6 rebounds over his last five games. He scored 10 points with four boards during DePaul’s 71-66 loss at Villanova on Dec. 31.
The Wildcats (22-7, 13-5) have lost just once in their last 30 matchups against the Blue Demons. But Villanova dropped 2 of 3 after a six-game winning streak and was limited to 89-57 in then-No. Saturday 15th St. John’s.
Villanova shot 37%, committed 16 turnovers and allowed the Red Storm to go 8-of-15 from 3-point range. To make matters worse, freshman starting pitcher Matt Hodge, who is a solid defender averaging 9.2 points and 3.6 rebounds, suffered a knee injury at the end of the season in this tournament.
“Matt is a great guy with an unbelievable work ethic,” Villanova coach Kevin Willard said. “We know he will come back better than ever.”
Villanova leading scorer Tyler Perkins (13.3 ppg) had three points Saturday. He scored 19 points on 4-of-6 shooting in his first game against DePaul this season.
–Field level media
