Preview: 3 keys for Xavier Musketeers to beat DePaul in return to Cintas Center

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Xavier head coach Sean Miller must have felt like a prophet last month.

Following Xavier’s 77-63 win over DePaul at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Miller warned that these are not the Blue Demons of old under first-year head coach Chris Holtmann.

“DePaul is gonna beat somebody this year at home,” Miller said Jan. 11.

Three days later, DePaul took then-No. 7 Marquette to overtime. Three days after that, DePaul snapped a 39-game regular season Big East losing streak with a road upset of Georgetown. DePaul’s first home Big East win in over two years came Feb. 2 against lowly Seton Hall.

Xavier guard Ryan Conwell (7) had 19 points in the Musketeers’ 77-63 win over DePaul in Chicago Jan. 11, 2025.

Despite a 2-12 conference mark, DePaul can wreck a season on the right night. That’s what Xavier is trying to avoid when the Blue Demons visit Cintas Center Saturday afternoon.

“Chris Holtmann is doing a tremendous job with the program. They’re a dangerous team. They play everybody tough,” Miller said.

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3 keys to a Xavier Musketeers’ win over DePaul Blue Demons

1. Xavier needs to set the tone early

KenPom projections give Xavier an 85% chance to win on Saturday. It’s the highest single-game chance the Musketeers have in their final six regular-season games. Teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble can’t have an off night. This game is a pitfall for Xavier. A win reaps little reward. A loss, which would be a Quadrant 3, could derail a March Madness bid.

Xavier needs to slam the gas pedal early and block out any hope DePaul has at an upset. DePaul has lost by double figures on the road seven times this season. Xavier can’t let the Blue Demons hang around.

Xavier forward Zach Freemantle (32) had 23 points and 9 rebounds in the Musketeers’ win over Providence at Amica Mutual Pavilion on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.

Part of that is building a lead and maintaining it. Providence had no business climbing to within single digits Wednesday night at Amica Mutual…

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Author : Cincinnati.com | The Enquirer

Publish date : 2025-02-14 16:23:00

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