DePaul Blue Demons vs
Cincinnati BearcatsPredictions & Preview

DePaul Looks to Overcome Roster Challenges in First-Round Matchup Against Cincinnati in Las Vegas, Betting Line Favors Bearcats

In a first-round matchup, DePaul and Cincinnati will face off on Tuesday afternoon in Las Vegas. DePaul is coming off a close double-overtime loss to Creighton in the Big East Tournament, while Cincinnati was defeated by Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament. Cincinnati has the advantage in the all-time series, winning the last five meetings. The current betting line favors Cincinnati at -9.5. Our prediction leans towards Cincinnati coming out on top in this matchup.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Blue Demons +360 | Bearcats -450
• Spread: Blue Demons +9.5 (-110) | Bearcats -9.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 140 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Cincinnati will win straight-up is 82%.

DePaul vs Cincinnati Stats

DePaul Blue Demons

DePaul had a mixed season, ending with a loss in the Big East Tournament. Despite some strong performances, they finished 10th in the conference with a 4-16 record. On offense, the team struggles to score consistently, averaging 72.8 points per game. Defensively, DePaul allows an average of 74.2 points per game. Key players include Layden Blocker, Jacob Meyer, Isaiah Rivera, and CJ Gunn. The team shoots 44.7% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range. Several players are in the transfer portal, and David Skogman is out for the season with a foot injury. The team has room for improvement on both ends of the court as they look ahead to future seasons.

Cincinnati Bearcats Analysis

In their most recent game, Cincinnati suffered a disappointing loss to #12 Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament, finishing the season with an 18-15 overall record and a 7-13 mark in conference play. The Bearcats struggled to keep up with Iowa State, falling behind early and never fully recovering. Cincinnati's offensive performance was lackluster, shooting just 32.8% from the field and being out-rebounded 41-23. Jizzle James led the team with 17 points in the defeat. Overall, Cincinnati averages 70.5 points per game, ranking 267th in the nation, and has a solid defensive ranking of 26th, allowing 65.7 points per game. The team's offensive stats are below average, shooting 44.8% from the field and 32% from three-point range. Key players for the Bearcats include Simas Lukosius, Jizzle James, and Dan Skillings Jr. Unfortunately, Connor Hickman is out due to injury. Cincinnati has a power ranking of 209 and is ranked 269th in offense.

DePaul Faces Uphill Battle Against Cincinnati in Big East Tournament Due to Roster Challenges

DePaul demonstrated resilience by winning three consecutive games and challenging Creighton in double-overtime during the Big East Tournament. However, it is important to note that the Blue Demons are currently facing challenges with a depleted roster. The loss of Skogman to injury, combined with four other players entering the transfer portal, significantly impacts the team. Despite setting a school record with 309 three-pointers this season, DePaul may struggle against Cincinnati, a team known for their strong defensive abilities. Cincinnati is expected to have the majority of their key players available for the upcoming game, which will likely be a determining factor in their success. DePaul's performance heavily relies on their ability to score over 70 points, as evidenced by their winless record when failing to reach this mark. Considering these factors, the Bearcats are favored to win as they prioritize defensive efforts to neutralize the Blue Demons.

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