Providence Looks to Start 2023 With a Win – PC DePaul Game Preview

Providence, 11-3 on the year, is looking to continue their winning streak to 7 games when they take on the 7-7 DePaul Blue Demons. DePaul is 1-1 in the Big East this year, with a win against Georgetown and loss against Creighton.

Providence has a massive match-up against UConn at home on Wednesday and are coming off beating down a quality Butler squad at Hinkle Thursday. This is your typical “trap” game. Providence needs to be on high alert to avoid looking ahead and getting upset by this seasoned DePaul team.

Below, we provide details on this DePaul team, what to look out for, and what Providence needs to do to secure a victory.

DePaul Individual Statistics: By the Numbers

Javan Johnson – 17 Points and 5 Rebounds – 46% from Floor, 48% from 3 – 5th Year in College

Umoja Gibson – 16 Points, 5 Assists, and 2.5 Steals – 6th Year in College

Eral Penn – 11 Points and 8 Rebounds – 5th Year in College

DePaul Team Statistics: By the Numbers

• The three above are the only Blue Demons that score in double figures.
• There are 9 players averaging more than 12 minutes on this team, which is a testament to both their depth and uncertainty around rotation.
• 72.8 Points/Game, PC 80.6
• 33.8 Rebounds/Game, PC 40.3
• 36.3% from Three (3rd in Big East)
• 41.4% from Floor (Last in Big East), PC 47.5%

Keys to Game

1. Don’t Overlook this DePaul Team – Sounds easy enough, right? Not so fast, my friend. Providence is riding a high after throttling the Butler Bulldogs earlier in the week. Even the most mature of teams has to have an eye towards the potential Top 25 match-up against UConn at home. There-in lies the concern with this game. The coaching staff needs to hammer home how important it is to beat this DePaul team on the road. While DePaul is the basement dweller of the Big East, a road win in conference helps bolster an NCAA tournament resume. A win also puts them atop the Big East with Xavier. Lastly, they likely become nationally ranked by the AP after receiving 6 votes the week prior and going 2-0 on the road in conference. There is A LOT at stake with this game, and Providence cannot afford to slip up.
2. Don’t Overlook this DePaul Team, Part 2 – When analyzing this DePaul squad, I’m shocked by how veteran they are. Four of the 5 starters are seniors or 5th/6th year seniors. The other starter, contingent on line-up decision, is an upperclassmen as well. This team is battle tested collegiately and is more than capable of upsetting the apple cart. Providence cannot look past this team or they’ll take it right to the Friars.
3. Lack of Size: Sensing a Theme? – Besides Yor Anei, the 6’10 senior, the frontcourt of DePaul is not all that big. Eral Penn and Javan Johnson are both listed at 6’6. Reserve De’Sean Nelson is 6’8. This is a frontcourt that Providence should feast on in a similar capacity to the past 3 Big East games. The backcourt isn’t all that big either. Carter and Hopkins should have field days in this game. They are too athletic and too physical for this DePaul team to contain. Look for Locke to get on track here too.

Predictions

BOC: I actually think Providence trails at half before regaining composure and pulling this one out. PC wins a tight one 72 – 68 to get to 12-3 and 4-0 in conference.

Crier: DePaul can shoot the three and Javan Johnson (on my Big East fantasy team) and Umoja Gibson can really score. The thing is DePaul’s defense isn’t good. Creighton, St. Johns, Northwestern, TAMU, and OK St all scored 80+ points on the Demons. The Friars will do the same. PC 84 DePaul 74