The Creighton Bluejays, currently ranked 78 in the NET rankings, head to Chicago to face the DePaul Blue Demons, who are ranked 111, in a crucial Big East matchup. Both teams are seeking quality wins to bolster their tournament chances, with Creighton boasting a 7-6 conference record and DePaul struggling at 4-9. The Bluejays have a 1-7 record against Quad 1 opponents, while the Blue Demons are 0-6 in such games, highlighting the importance of this contest. DePaul's recent form has been concerning, with a 3-game losing streak, including a 10-point loss to Xavier, where they shot just 38.5% from the field.
DePaul's Umoja Gibson Has Made 44 3-Pointers in His Last 10 Games
The game is scheduled for February 11, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET at Wintrust Arena, with streaming available on FS1. Fans can catch the action as these two Big East foes clash in a battle for conference supremacy and tournament positioning.
The Creighton Bluejays have compiled a 13-11 overall record, with a 7-6 mark in conference play. They boast a respectable 4-1 record against Quad 3 opponents and a perfect 5-0 record against Quad 4 foes. However, their 1-7 record against Quad 1 opponents is a concern, and they want to improve their tournament resume with a win over DePaul. The Bluejays have been led by their strong defense, which has held opponents to 41.4% shooting from the field, including a 34.5% mark from beyond the arc. Creighton's recent form has been inconsistent, with a 2-3 record in their last 5 games, including a 72-68 loss to Villanova, where they allowed the Wildcats to shoot 50% from the field.
The DePaul Blue Demons, with a 12-12 overall record and 4-9 conference mark, are in dire need of quality wins to boost their tournament chances. They have a 2-4 record against Quad 2 opponents and are 0-6 against Quad 1 foes, making this game a must-win for their postseason aspirations. DePaul's offense has been a bright spot, averaging 74.2 points per game, but their defense has struggled, allowing opponents to shoot 44.7% from the field. The Blue Demons have lost 3 straight games, including a 85-71 defeat to Providence, where they allowed the Friars to shoot 53.4% from the field. DePaul's NET ranking of 111 is a concern, and they want to improve their quad record with a win over Creighton.
The matchup between Creighton and DePaul features two teams with distinct styles. The Bluejays prefer a slower pace, averaging 67.5 possessions per game, while the Blue Demons like to push the tempo, with an average of 72.1 possessions per contest. Creighton's defense has been stellar, allowing just 65.1 points per game, while DePaul's offense has been more explosive, scoring 74.2 points per game. The Bluejays have a significant edge in terms of rebounding margin, outboarding opponents by 4.5 per game, while the Blue Demons have struggled in this area, being outrebounded by 2.1 per game. Creighton's 3-point defense, which has allowed opponents to shoot just 34.5% from beyond the arc, will be tested by DePaul's 36.2% 3-point shooting.
CHD Scout Prediction
Creighton
72
DePaul
75
For Creighton, Ryan Nembhard has been a key contributor, averaging 12.1 points and 4.5 assists per game, while shooting 42.1% from the field. Arthur Kaluma has been a force on the glass, grabbing 6.3 rebounds per game, and has also contributed 10.5 points per contest. On the DePaul side, Javan Johnson has been a scoring machine, averaging 15.6 points per game, while shooting 44.8% from the field. Umoja Gibson has been a threat from beyond the arc, making 38.5% of his 3-point attempts, and has averaged 12.3 points per game. Both teams will rely on their stars to make big plays and secure a crucial conference win.
The CHD Scout prediction favors DePaul by 3.3 points, with a 61.3% win probability for the Blue Demons. This prediction is based on the teams' recent form, statistical edges, and the importance of the game for both teams' tournament resumes. Creighton's struggles on the road, where they have a 3-6 record, may also contribute to DePaul's favorable prediction.
A win for DePaul would significantly boost their tournament chances, improving their quad record and providing a much-needed quality win. The Blue Demons' current quad record of 0-6 in Quad 1 games and 2-4 in Quad 2 games makes this game a critical opportunity to enhance their resume. For Creighton, a win would help them solidify their position in the Big East standings and improve their chances of earning a tournament bid. The Bluejays' current quad record of 1-7 in Quad 1 games and 3-3 in Quad 2 games means they need to capitalize on opportunities like this to strengthen their tournament case.