DePaul Blue Demons Seek Historic Regular-Season Finale Victory Against Butler Bulldogs

The air at Wintrust Arena in Chicago is thick with anticipation as the DePaul Blue Demons prepare to host the Butler Bulldogs on Saturday morning, a game that carries far more weight than a typical regular-season finale. For the DePaul program, which has languished at the bottom of the Big East Conference standings for much of its existence since joining in 2005, this matchup represents a pivotal moment, potentially marking the end of a long drought and the dawn of a new era under second-year head coach Chris Holtmann. The outcome of this game will not only determine conference tournament seeding but also has the potential to secure DePaul its first winning season in league play since the 2018-19 campaign, a significant milestone for a program historically defined by its struggles.

A Legacy of Struggle and the Glimmer of Hope

DePaul’s tenure in the Big East Conference, a league renowned for its basketball pedigree, has been largely defined by an uphill battle. Since its inception into the conference in 2005, the Blue Demons have managed to achieve a winning record in league play only once. This statistic paints a stark picture of the program’s consistent challenges, with DePaul finishing in sole possession of last place in the Big East standings an astonishing ten times over their first two decades in the conference. They have also shared the basement of the league on two other occasions, underscoring a persistent pattern of difficulty in competing at the highest level of college basketball.

This season, however, has presented a departure from the norm. Under the guidance of Coach Holtmann, DePaul has compiled a 16-14 overall record and enters the final conference game with an 8-11 Big East record. A victory against Butler (15-15 overall, 6-13 Big East) would not only even their conference record to 9-11 but also, crucially, clinch the No. 5 seed in the upcoming Big East Tournament. This seeding would be unprecedented for the Blue Demons, granting them a coveted first-round bye – an achievement they have never before experienced. Beyond tournament implications, a win would solidify their first non-losing season since the 2018-19 season, a testament to the rebuilding efforts underway.

Holtmann’s Defensive Identity and Unselfish Play

Coach Chris Holtmann, in his second year at the helm of the Blue Demons, has been a driving force behind this potential turnaround. His innovative coaching approach has quickly garnered national attention, earning him a spot among the 20 finalists for the prestigious Jim Phelan Award, which recognizes the nation’s top college basketball coach. Holtmann has meticulously rebuilt the DePaul program by instilling a culture centered on tenacious defensive effort and a commitment to unselfish play. This philosophy is demonstrably reflected in key statistical categories.

According to advanced analytics from KenPom, DePaul entered Friday’s action ranked an impressive No. 39 nationally in defensive efficiency, allowing an average of just 100.6 points per 100 possessions. This defensive prowess is a significant indicator of the team’s commitment to locking down opponents. Complementing their defensive intensity, the Blue Demons also rank 27th in the country in assists per field goal made, with 60.8% of their made baskets being assisted. This statistic highlights a high degree of ball movement and collective offensive engagement, suggesting a team that plays cohesively and looks for the best available shot.

A Test of Endurance and an Uncharacteristic Offensive Stumble

Despite the positive trajectory, a potential concern has emerged as the season nears its conclusion: player fatigue. The intense effort required to reach this point in the season may be taking a toll on the Blue Demons. This was evident in their recent 19-point home loss to Villanova on Wednesday night, where DePaul’s offense faltered significantly. The team managed to make only 2 of their 16 three-point attempts, a starkly uncharacteristic shooting performance that contributed to the lopsided defeat.

Coach Holtmann acknowledged this possibility, stating, "It’s crossed my mind that do we have some guys out there that have logged a lot of minutes throughout the course of the season and it’s caught up with them a little bit." He further elaborated on his strategy to manage player load, noting, "We’ve got to figure out a way to keep them fresh, which is why I kept some of those guys on the bench a little bit more (Wednesday night)." Holtmann expressed concern about the missed opportunities, particularly the uncharacteristic misses on open looks, adding, "The clean looks that we’ve had, that some of our guys have had, that they’re missing is a little bit uncharacteristic." This suggests a need for the team to find an extra gear and regain their offensive rhythm heading into the crucial finale.

Butler’s Own Struggles and a Coach’s Plea for Resilience

The Butler Bulldogs are also entering Saturday’s contest on the heels of a disappointing performance. Like DePaul, Butler suffered a significant home loss on Wednesday, falling to Creighton by 17 points. Their offensive struggles mirrored those of the Blue Demons, as they connected on a mere 4 of 24 attempts from beyond the arc. Head coach Thad Matta characterized the performance as a new low for his squad, which has endured a challenging stretch, losing eight of their last ten games.

Coach Matta’s post-game remarks following the 76-57 loss to Creighton revealed a coach grappling with his team’s recent form. "It was one of those games where we didn’t have it," Matta admitted. He expressed his frustration with the team’s inability to consistently compete, contrasting their recent struggles with the resilience he has observed in other Big East teams. "The thing that bothers me most is that, you know, you sit at home and watch games at night, like, whoo, that team, there’s one that got drilled (and) they got drilled (and) they got drilled. I told my wife, ‘We haven’t done that yet. We’ve continued to fight. We’ve continued to scrape. We’ve continued to claw.’" Matta’s words highlight a desire for his team to rediscover their competitive spirit and fight through adversity, a quality that will be tested against a motivated DePaul squad.

Individual Showcases and Future Aspirations

Beyond the team implications, Saturday’s game offers a final opportunity for several key players to enhance their individual accolades and bolster their résumés for All-Big East consideration. For Butler, sophomore forward Michael Ajayi has been a standout performer, averaging 16.4 points and an impressive 11.1 rebounds per game. Freshman guard Finley Bizjack has also emerged as a potent offensive threat, leading the Bulldogs in scoring with 17.0 points per contest.

On the DePaul side, sophomore guard CJ Gunn has been a consistent offensive contributor, averaging 13.5 points per game. Junior forward NJ Benson has provided a strong presence in the paint, contributing 11.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. This game represents their last chance to impress voters and potentially secure All-Big East honors, adding another layer of intrigue to an already significant matchup.

Broader Implications for the DePaul Program

The implications of a DePaul victory extend far beyond a single game’s outcome or tournament seeding. It represents a tangible step towards re-establishing the program as a competitive force within the Big East Conference. For years, DePaul has been a cautionary tale of a once-proud program struggling to regain its footing. Coach Holtmann’s arrival and the team’s improved performance this season offer a powerful narrative of resurgence.

The players themselves recognize the historical significance of their current position. Senior Day honoree and DePaul guard Brandon Maclin articulated this sentiment, stating, "This program was once good. And then it dropped from being good. We’ve got to rebuild it back up and I believe we are the foundation to the program getting right back where it needs to be." This quote underscores the belief within the locker room that they are not just playing for a winning season, but for the future of DePaul basketball. A victory against Butler, coupled with a high tournament seed and a winning record, would provide irrefutable evidence that the foundation for sustained success has been laid. It would signal to recruits, fans, and the broader college basketball landscape that the DePaul Blue Demons are back on the rise.

The trajectory of the DePaul program under Coach Holtmann has been a compelling storyline throughout the season. From its historical struggles in the Big East to the current opportunity for a winning record and a top-tier tournament seed, this final regular-season game against Butler is more than just a basketball contest; it is a potential turning point, a chance to rewrite a narrative of disappointment and usher in an era of renewed hope and competitive success. The outcome on Saturday will be closely watched, not just for the immediate implications of tournament play, but for what it portends for the future of DePaul basketball.