Xavier Musketeers vs. DePaul Blue Demons Picks and Prediction for Saturday, January 3, 2026
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Xavier and DePaul meet Saturday afternoon at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, with the opening tip-off set for 2:00 PM Eastern Time on FS1. Both teams are searching for footing in Big East play, with Xavier entering at 9-5 overall and 1-2 in conference action, while DePaul sits at 8-6 and is still looking for its first conference win. ESPN’s matchup predictor leans toward the Blue Demons despite the conference records. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.
Xavier Preview
Xavier has struggled to find consistency on both ends of the floor, allowing 75.1 points per game while scoring 76.1. The Musketeers were overwhelmed by UConn in a 90-67 loss on December 31, a game that highlighted issues with shot selection and transition coverage. Still, this group can move the ball, averaging 18.6 assists per contest, and the rebounding numbers are solid at 35.6 per game. Filip Borovicanin plays a key role inside, leading Xavier in rebounds at 7.8 per game while also dishing out 4.3 assists, giving the Musketeers a versatile frontcourt option.
There is offensive balance across the Xavier lineup, even if no single scorer dominates the box score. The Musketeers shoot 42 percent from the field, which has limited efficiency against stronger conference opponents. Turnovers and long scoring droughts have been costly in recent losses, especially when playing away from home. If Xavier can control tempo and get production from multiple players, the Musketeers can stay competitive deep into the second half.
DePaul Preview
DePaul comes in at 0-3 in Big East play but has shown flashes of strong play, particularly on the offensive end. The Blue Demons average 74.1 points per game while allowing just 69.1, a gap that suggests the team has been in most contests. Tre Carroll leads the way with 16.0 points per game on 47.3 percent shooting, giving DePaul a reliable scoring option. CJ Gunn adds 13.9 points per game and shoots 76.2 percent from the free-throw line, which matters in close games.
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Recent losses to Villanova, UConn, and St. John’s came against high-level conference competition, and DePaul stayed within reach in two of those matchups. The Blue Demons also shoot 45 percent from the field and rebound adequately at 34.1 per game. Playing at home should help, especially for a team still trying to settle into Big East play. Limiting turnovers and getting consistent production from the frontcourt will be important against Xavier’s size.
DePaul vs Xavier Prediction
The matchup will be a competitive, lower-scoring Big East game. DePaul’s home court advantage and slightly stronger shooting give the Blue Demons a narrow edge. The best look is DePaul to win a close one, with a projected final score around 72-68, and a lean toward the under based on both teams’ recent scoring trends.
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