Wichita, Kansas – The DePaul men’s basketball team is set to wrap up non-conference play on Saturday, December 13, against Wichita State. The game starts at 11 a.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
Lately, DePaul (7-3) showed impressive defense by limiting Morgan State to just 20% shooting—an all-time low for BIG EAST teams since 2012. Kaleb Banks led the Blue Demons with 18 points, while CJ Gunn and Layden Blocker also contributed significantly. This strong defensive showing helped DePaul force 20 turnovers, keeping them among the top teams in turnover margin. When they hold opponents below 65 points, DePaul has a perfect 5-0 record this season.
In their history, DePaul holds a 5-4 advantage over Wichita State. Last season, they triumphed 91-72 with a remarkable 17 three-pointers. However, Wichita State has never lost at home against DePaul, last meeting at this venue 47 years ago.
Wichita State (6-4) is on a winning streak, recently beating both Mount Marty and Northern Iowa. Under coach Paul Mills, they’re looking to bounce back from last year’s NIT appearance. Kenyon Giles leads the Shockers with 17.1 points per game. Their strength lies in rebounding, ranking 12th in the nation with 14.8 offensive rebounds per game. They’ve also been tough on defense, limiting opponents to an average of 67.3 points per game.
DePaul’s next challenge will be BIG EAST play, starting just a few days later on December 16 against reigning champions St. John’s.
### Interesting Insights
Basketball experts stress the importance of defense in the game. “A strong defense can win games, especially in tight matchups,” says former coach and analyst Steve Lavin. A well-executed defense can create turnovers and lead to scoring opportunities.
Moreover, recent studies show that teams with the best turnover margins often finish higher in their conferences. This trend highlights DePaul’s current defensive success as a key factor in their season performance.
In social media, fans have been buzzing about the game, with many expressing excitement over DePaul’s recent defensive strength and looking forward to the upcoming BIG EAST matchups.
For more on the trends in college basketball analytics, you might want to check out the NCAA’s official reports on team performances.
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