The DePaul Blue Demons will face off against the Creighton Bluejays on February 25 at the CHI Health Center Omaha, a matchup that carries significant implications for both teams in the Big East conference race. With DePaul and Creighton sitting at 6-10 and 8-9 in conference play, respectively, this game represents a crucial opportunity for each team to bolster their positioning in the standings. Given their current trajectories, both teams' most viable path to postseason play lies in securing the Big East conference tournament auto-bid, making every remaining game a high-stakes affair.
As the Blue Demons and Bluejays take to the court, they will be keenly aware of the small margins that separate evenly matched teams like themselves. Recent form has seen both teams experience ups and downs, with DePaul going 2-3 over their last five games and Creighton faring similarly. The model prediction suggests a closely contested affair, with Creighton narrowly favored to emerge victorious. In a game where the difference between winning and losing could have a pronounced impact on conference tournament seeding, both teams will be highly motivated to come out on top, setting the stage for a intense and competitive matchup in Omaha.
Averaging 14.0 points per game, has been a crucial component of DePaul's offense, while his 3.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game demonstrate his versatility. The team's leading scorer, CJ Gunn, has been supported by , whose 11.5 points per game and 3.6 assists per game have helped drive the team's attack. With a record of 14-13, including a 6-10 mark in the Big East, DePaul has shown flashes of promise, particularly in their recent 72-71 win over Creighton on February 11. His 11.2 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game make a key figure in the paint for DePaul.
In their last five games, DePaul has gone 2-3, with wins over Seton Hall and Creighton, and losses to Providence, St. John's, and Providence again. 's 9.9 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game have been important for the team, while 's 7.3 points per game and 2.5 assists per game have provided a spark off the bench. His 2.6 rebounds per game are also a valuable contribution from RJ Smith, as DePaul looks to bounce back from a 68-71 loss to Providence on February 21. With CJ Gunn and Layden Blocker leading the charge, DePaul will look to replicate their earlier win over Creighton and build some momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
With a 14-14 overall record, Creighton's season has been marked by inconsistency, particularly in high-stakes matchups, as evidenced by their 2-9 mark in Quad 1 games. Averaging 12.1 points per game, has been a key contributor, while his 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game demonstrate his well-rounded skillset. The team's recent form has been uneven, with a lopsided 52-81 loss at St. John's on February 21, following a 91-84 win at UConn on February 18, where 's 10.9 points per game average was on full display.
His 45% three-point shooting notwithstanding, 's overall impact, including 10.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, will be crucial in this matchup. , with his 10.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, has also been instrumental in Creighton's offense, often setting up scoring opportunities for his teammates, including , who averages 8.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. As Creighton looks to bounce back from their recent loss, the performance of these key players will be vital in determining the outcome against DePaul.
The matchup between DePaul's NJ Benson and Creighton's Jasen Green will be pivotal in determining the outcome of this game. Benson's rebounding ability, averaging 7.3 per game, will be tested by Green's all-around skills, including his 5.6 rebounds per game. If Benson can outmuscle Green on the glass, DePaul may be able to control the tempo and limit Creighton's second-chance opportunities.
Green's ability to stretch the defense with his scoring will also challenge Benson's defensive skills. If Green can draw Benson away from the basket, it could create space for Creighton's other scorers to operate. Conversely, if Benson can keep Green in check and protect the paint, DePaul's guards may be able to apply pressure on the perimeter, disrupting Creighton's offense. The battle between these two big men will have a significant impact on the game's outcome.
CHD Scout Prediction
DePaul
72
Creighton
74
Based on the data, the model slightly favors Creighton, predicting a 74-72 victory with a 59.1% win probability. I agree with this assessment, as Creighton's higher NET ranking of 81 compared to DePaul's 103 suggests a notable difference in overall team strength. Specifically, Creighton's superior NET ranking indicates that they have performed better against their schedule, which gives me confidence that they will be able to secure a narrow victory at home against DePaul.
As the Big East conference schedule nears its conclusion, both DePaul and Creighton find themselves outside of serious contention, with their only viable path to the NCAA Tournament being a conference tournament title. A win for either team would significantly bolster their chances of securing a favorable seed in the upcoming tournament, with Creighton currently sitting in a more advantageous position due to their slightly higher conference standing. DePaul, on the other hand, needs a win to stay within striking distance of the middle tier of the Big East, and a loss would put them in danger of falling to the lower rungs of the conference. Given the stakes, this game is essentially a high-leverage, late-season showdown, and the team that emerges victorious will not only gain a crucial edge in the conference tournament pecking order, but also inject some much-needed momentum into their program's trajectory - and for DePaul, a loss would be a devastating blow to their already slim postseason hopes.