Butler Bulldogs vs
DePaul Blue DemonsPredictions & Preview

Butler Bulldogs Favored Over DePaul Blue Demons in Saturday Showdown at Wintrust Arena

The Butler Bulldogs will face off against the DePaul Blue Demons on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Butler has dominated the series with a commanding 21-2 lead since 2014, including a 10-game winning streak against DePaul. Butler is the betting favorite opening at -3.5, with the line remaining unchanged. Stay tuned for our prediction on the Butler vs. Blue Demons matchup.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Bulldogs -170 | Blue Demons +141
• Spread: Bulldogs -3.5 (-110) | Blue Demons +3.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 148.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Butler will win straight-up is 63%.

Butler vs DePaul Stats

Butler Bulldogs

Butler is looking to bounce back from a recent loss to Xavier and build on their strong offensive performance so far this season. They have shown potential with their efficient scoring and improving defense. Leading the team is Jahmyl Telfort with 16.0 points per game, while Andre Screen has been dominant on both ends of the court. Defensively, Butler has been effective at defending the three-point line but will need to improve their interior defense to secure a victory against DePaul. Overall, Butler is ranked 185 in power ranking, scoring an average of 74.19 points per game and allowing 72.42 points against them. They have solid shooting percentages and are competitive in rebounding and turnover categories. Defensively, they have strengths in defending the three-point line but struggle with free throw defense. The Bulldogs will need to continue to improve to achieve success in upcoming games.

DePaul Blue Demons Analysis

The DePaul Blue Demons have had a challenging season, currently on a four-game losing streak. However, despite their struggles, they have shown improvement under first-year head coach Chris Holtmann compared to last season's performance. Offensively, the team averages 72.2 points per game and shoots 43.8% from the field and 34.0% from three-point range. CJ Gunn leads the scoring with 12.3 points per game, while Conor Enright facilitates with 6.2 assists. NJ Benson contributes in the paint with 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Defensively, DePaul allows 73.5 points per game and has difficulty containing opponents' shooting percentages. In order to have a chance at ending their losing streak, the Blue Demons will need to improve their defensive intensity and communication, particularly as they face Butler in their upcoming matchup.

DePaul's Home Struggles Raise Doubts in Rivalry Matchup Against Butler

DePaul may eventually secure a victory in the ongoing rivalry with Butler, however, I remain cautious in placing confidence in them at this time. Despite Butler's lackluster 1-6 road record this season, the team still maintains a strong BarTorvik rating of 64th nationally in away games. Conversely, DePaul has struggled to capitalize on their home-court advantage in the Big East, boasting a disappointing 1-7 record in conference home games and a BarTorvik rating of 107th in those matchups. A significant factor in DePaul's home woes stems from their declining offensive output at Wintrust Arena. With Butler's dominant history in the series over the past decade and their recent improved performance, I am inclined to favor them in this matchup and lay the points with Butler.

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