You’ve seen the headlines before. DePaul basketball hasn't exactly been a juggernaut lately. But honestly, if you’re looking at the DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball schedule for this year and assuming it's just another "rebuilding" season, you’re missing the actual story happening in Lincoln Park.
Chris Holtmann didn't come to Chicago to lose.
After a chaotic stretch of years that would make even the most die-hard fan want to look away, the 2025-26 season feels... different. It’s gritty. The schedule isn't just a list of dates; it’s a gauntlet designed to see if this new-look roster actually has the teeth to compete in a Big East that never, ever sleeps.
The Reality of the Big East Gauntlet
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the Big East is a meat grinder. The DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball schedule is front-loaded with matches that could either break a team's spirit or forge it into something dangerous.
Coming off a massive 56-50 defensive slugfest win against Georgetown on January 6 and a tough road loss at #4 UConn on January 10, the Blue Demons are sitting at a 10-7 overall record as of mid-January 2026. That might not sound like a Top 25 resume yet, but compared to where this program was two years ago? It's a miracle.
The schedule ahead is where things get real:
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- January 16: Marquette comes to Wintrust Arena. This is the big one. Tip-off is at 7:30 PM CST.
- January 20: A road trip to the historic Hinkle Fieldhouse to face Butler.
- January 24: Home against Seton Hall at 4:00 PM.
- January 28: Back on the road to D.C. for a rematch with Georgetown.
If DePaul can split these next four, they stay in the conversation. If they somehow go 3-1? Wintrust is going to be rocking for the February stretch.
Why the Non-Conference Results Mattered
Most people ignore the November and December games once January hits. That’s a mistake. DePaul’s early-season wins against teams like Georgia Tech (75-61) in the Emerald Coast Classic and a narrow 61-58 road win at Wichita State proved that Holtmann has installed a defensive identity.
They aren't just out-talenting people. They are out-working them.
The Roster Turning the Tide
You can't talk about the DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball schedule without talking about the guys playing the minutes. Layden Blocker and CJ Gunn have been the engines. Gunn is currently leading the team in scoring, averaging 14.4 points per game. He’s the guy who wants the ball when the shot clock is under five.
NJ Benson has been a monster on the glass. He’s averaging 6.5 rebounds and nearly 11 points, providing that physical presence DePaul has lacked for years. Then you have the "X-factor" in freshman Kruz McClure. He’s been a spark plug off the bench, showing a level of poise that you usually don't see from a kid who was playing high school ball 12 months ago.
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The rotation has shortened lately. Holtmann is leaning on his vets—Brandon Maclin and Kaleb Banks—to provide the stability needed to survive road environments like Omaha or Villanova.
Breaking Down the Remaining Home Games
If you’re planning on heading to Wintrust Arena, mark these dates. The atmosphere is finally starting to catch up to the product on the floor.
- February 3: St. John's (7:00 PM). This is always a personal one for the fans.
- February 11: Creighton (8:00 PM). A late-night Wednesday game that will test DePaul's perimeter defense.
- February 21: Providence (7:00 PM).
- March 4: Villanova (7:00 PM).
- March 7: Butler (11:00 AM). Senior Day and the regular-season finale.
What Experts Get Wrong About This Team
The national media loves to dunk on DePaul. It's an easy trope. But if you watch the tape of their recent loss at UConn, they weren't blown out of the gym. They fought. They forced turnovers. They looked like a team that belongs.
The misconception is that DePaul is "years away." In the age of the transfer portal and NIL, you can get competitive fast. Holtmann has utilized both to ensure that the DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball schedule isn't just a series of "L's" on the calendar.
Is this a Final Four team? Probably not. But is it a team that no one wants to see in the first round of the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden come March 11? Absolutely.
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Actionable Steps for the Blue Demon Faithful
If you want to follow this turnaround properly, don't just check the score on Sunday morning.
- Watch the Marquette game on January 16. It’s the ultimate litmus test for their home-court advantage.
- Keep an eye on the defensive efficiency stats. If DePaul keeps opponents under 70 points, they are 8-2 this season. That’s the magic number.
- Get to Wintrust. The team is 8-3 at home. The "U-Haul" jokes are over; this is a legitimate home-court threat now.
- Follow the injury report for Jeremy Lorenz. His bench minutes are crucial for the frontcourt rotation as we head into the February grind.
The road to the 2026 Big East Tournament is going to be bumpy, but for the first time in a long time, the Blue Demons are actually driving the car instead of just being along for the ride.
Stay locked into the local broadcasts—many of these January and February games are airing on FS1 and Peacock—to see if the Holtmann era can officially punch its ticket back to relevance.
Key Insight: Focus on the "Middle Third" of the schedule. The stretch from January 24 to February 11 will determine if DePaul is playing for a postseason seed or just playing for pride. Historically, this is where DePaul teams have faded; if they stay above .500 during this window, the narrative has officially shifted.