DePaul University’s men’s basketball team will open its 2024-25 season on November 4 against Southern Indiana, marking the debut of head coach Chris Holtmann. The full non-conference schedule, released by the athletics department, features 13 games, including high-profile matchups against teams that participated in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
The 2024-25 Non-Conference Schedule
The Blue Demons begin their campaign at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Following the opener, DePaul hosts Mercer on November 8 and SIU-Edwardsville on November 11. The schedule intensifies mid-month as the team faces tougher regional and national competition.
According to the official schedule released by DePaul Athletics, the non-conference slate includes:
- Nov. 4: Southern Indiana
- Nov. 8: Mercer
- Nov. 11: SIU-Edwardsville
- Nov. 13: Prairie View A&M
- Nov. 16: Saint Louis
- Nov. 19: Northern Illinois
- Nov. 23: Iowa State
- Nov. 27: Elon (at the Cayman Islands Classic)
- Nov. 29: TBD (at the Cayman Islands Classic)
- Dec. 4: Austin Peay
- Dec. 7: Louisville
- Dec. 14: Northwestern
- Dec. 17: The Citadel
Challenging Opponents and Tournament Teams
DePaul’s schedule includes four opponents that earned bids to the 2024 NCAA Tournament: Iowa State, Northwestern, and two teams from the Cayman Islands Classic field. Iowa State, coming off a strong season under coach T.J. Otzelberger, represents one of the most significant tests for the Blue Demons in the early season.
The matchup against Northwestern on December 14 continues a long-standing local rivalry. Both programs look to establish momentum ahead of the demanding Big East conference schedule. The participation in the Cayman Islands Classic from November 27–29 provides the team with experience playing away from home in a tournament-style format, which is essential for team chemistry.
Coaching Transition and Expectations
Chris Holtmann enters his first season at the helm of the program after previously coaching at Ohio State. His appointment was aimed at revitalizing a program that finished last in the Big East during the 2023-24 season.
The non-conference schedule is designed to balance home-court advantages at Wintrust Arena with competitive road tests. By facing teams like Louisville and Northwestern, the coaching staff aims to gauge the roster’s readiness for the physical nature of Big East play. The team’s performance in these 13 games will serve as the primary indicator of how quickly the new system is being implemented by the incoming transfer class and returning players.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does DePaul play its home games?
DePaul plays its home games at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, located near the McCormick Place convention center.
When does the Big East conference schedule begin?
While the non-conference schedule concludes on December 17 against The Citadel, the Big East conference schedule is typically released by the league office in early September.
How can fans purchase tickets?
Tickets for the 2024-25 season are available through the DePaul Blue Demons ticket office, which handles both single-game and season-ticket packages.
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