Preview: DePaul Blue Demons

The Marquette Golden Eagles will try and extend their winning streak to three when the DePaul Blue Demons travel to the Bradley Center on Wednesday Night.

The Marquette Golden Eagles will host the DePaul Blue Demons Wednesday night at the Bradley Center, a rematch that the Golden Eagles are ready for.

A 51-50 win for DePaul on January 18 was the first win for the Blue Demons in 24 Big East games. The Golden Eagles played arguably their worst half of basketball during Buzz Williams’ tenure at Marquette, getting out-rebounded while only making six field goals in the second half.

“I know we’ll come out and play hard, harder than they will,” sophomore Darius Johnson-Odom said. “They played us very hard at our place, and we have to come out with a lot of energy at home.”

Since the two teams played two weeks ago, a lot has changed. Marquette sports a two-game winning streak with wins over Rutgers and at UCONN, while DePaul has lost three straight.

On the surface, it seems like Marquette would have the clear advantage. A closer look shows that DePaul did take No. 4 Syracuse to the wire on Saturday, and are playing with more confidence than earlier in the season. The Blue Demons also have center Mac Koshwal returning from injury, as well as reserve point guard Michael Bizoukas.

“I think that they're more effective, more efficient and they've got three more players. They're a way better team than the team that beat us on Jan. 20," Marquette head coach Buzz Williams said.

Ken Pomeroy from Kenpom.com has the Golden Eagles winning by 18, a significant margin. In order for this to occur, Marquette needs to focus on doing what it does best – limiting turnovers and getting quality possessions against the larger Blue Demon attack.

At DePaul, Marquette struggled from the field, shooting 41.5 percent from the field, and 33.3 percent from three. The key for Marquette is to get more shots up during the game, as they were held to a season low 41 shots and only 12 three-point attempts.

Projected Starters:

MARQUETTE 13-8 (4-5)

F – Lazar Hayward

F – Jimmy Butler

G – Darius Johnson-Odom

G – David Cubillan

G – Maurice Acker

DEPAUL 8-13 (1-8)

C – Mac Koshwal

F – Krys Faber

F – Mike Stovall

G – Will Walker

G – Jeremiah Kelly