As we hit the midpoint of January, the college basketball landscape is beginning to shift, with teams either solidifying their tournament credentials or falling by the wayside. For two Big East programs, a Monday night matchup at Hinkle Fieldhouse will be a pivotal moment in their respective seasons. With Butler clinging to a NET ranking of 53 and DePaul languishing at 113, the Bulldogs want to defend their home turf and bolster their already fragile tournament resume.
Butler, sporting a 2-4 record in Quad 1 games, desperately needs to capitalize on opportunities like this to stay afloat on the bubble. A win over DePaul, although a Quad 3 contest, would help the Bulldogs maintain a semblance of momentum, having gone 1-2 in their last three outings. On the other hand, DePaul is in dire need of quality wins to inject some life into their tournament hopes. The Blue Demons' 0-5 mark in Quad 1 games is a glaring concern, and a victory at Hinkle Fieldhouse would be a massive boost to their postseason aspirations.
CHD Scout Prediction
DePaul
72
Butler
79
According to the CHD Scout prediction, Butler is favored to win by 6.9 points, with a 73.7% chance of emerging victorious. While neither team has a player riding a significant hot streak, the Bulldogs' overall depth and home-court advantage should give them an edge. DePaul must find a way to contain Butler's offense, which has been clicking in recent weeks, to have any chance of pulling off the upset.
As the two teams take to the court, the stakes will be palpable. A Butler win would keep them treading water on the bubble, while a DePaul victory would throw a much-needed lifeline to their tournament chances. Given the CHD Scout prediction and the Bulldogs' home-court advantage, I'm predicting a 79-72 Butler win. The Bulldogs' ability to dictate the pace and control the boards should ultimately prove too much for DePaul to handle, allowing them to take a crucial step towards solidifying their tournament credentials.