Xavier vs DePaul Prediction 2/15/25 College Basketball Picks Today

The DePaul Blue Demons and the Xavier Musketeers meet Saturday in college basketball action from Cintas Center. Here’s a Xavier vs DePaul prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Xavier vs DePaul pick.

DePaul Blue Demons Betting Preview

DePaul got off to a flawless start through their first seven games this year. Since late November however, the Blue Demons have struggled in the win column. Victories over Southern Indiana, Prairie View A&M, Mercer, Duquesne, Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois and Valparaiso came in that initial opening run, then a rough 2-9 stretch featuring only wins over Wichita State and Loyola Maryland. Otherwise the losses were versus Texas Tech, Providence, St. John’s, Northwestern, UConn, Villanova, Seton Hall, Xavier and Marquette in that time. Since then DePaul is just 2-5 overall. Those wins came versus Georgetown and Seton Hall. Otherwise it was losses to Creighton, Butler, UConn, Villanova and Marquette. That gives the Blue Demons a spotty 11-14 overall record through their first 25 games this year.

In the Marquette matchup on Tuesday, the Blue Demons came into the second half with a modest two-point deficit. DePaul was outscored 34-26 the rest of the way however, leading to a 68-58 loss in the end. Tops in scoring was CJ Gunn with 14 points, five rebounds and two assists in 37 minutes of work. Isaiah Rivera added 13 points with six rebounds and three steals, while David Thomas came off the bench for 11 points, two rebounds, one assist and five turnovers in 31 minutes out on the floor.

Xavier Musketeers Betting Preview

Over on the Xavier side, they’ve been a mixed bag this year. The Musketeers have some nice runs in the books so far, as well as some sketchy stretches. Xavier went 8-2 in their first 10 games with losses to only Michigan and TCU among wins otherwise versus Texas Southern, IUPUI, Jackson State, Wake Forest, Siena, South Carolina, South Carolina State and Morgan State in that time. A 1-5 run came next with a lone win over Seton Hall among losses to Cincinnati, UConn, Marquette, Georgetown and St. John’s. Xavier is 6-3 since then though, beating DePaul, Villanova, Marquette, UConn, Georgetown and Providence. The losses otherwise were versus St. John’s, Creighton and Villanova, which gives the Musketeers a 15-10 record through their first 25 games so far this year.

In the Providence matchup on Wednesday, the Musketeers exited the locker room with a 45-30 edge. Xavier was outscored 52-46 the rest of the way but held on for the win in the end 91-82. Dante Maddox was the team’s leading scorer with his 26 points, three rebounds and one assist. Zach Freemantle added 23 points with nine boards and one steal, while Ryan Conwell had 17points with eight boards and four assists. Dailyn Swain chipped in with 13 points, four rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes of work as well.

Why the Xavier Musketeers will win

• DePaul has lost each of its last nine road day games against the Big East Conference.
• Xavier has won each of its last nine day games at Cintas Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• DePaul has lost the first half in each of its last nine road day games against the Big East Conference.

Why the DePaul Blue Demons will win

• Xavier has lost three of its last four day games against the Big East Conference at Cintas Center.
• Xavier has lost the first half in three of its last four home games against the Big East Conference.

Xavier vs DePaul Prediction

I’ll stay with Xavier. The Musketeers got past Providence in a road matchup without too much difficulty during their latest outing—despite giving up 53.7 percent shooting along the way. Xavier scored 21 points off 13 Friars turnovers and shot pretty well themselves (44.1 percent) in the victory. During this 3-3 run, Xavier has managed to score 71 or more points in all but one game (68 in the loss to Villanova).

The last time these teams met up back on January 11, Xavier took a 77-63 victory. The Musketeers shot well in that one (48.1 percent) and DePaul did not (39.6 percent). The 36-28 rebounding edge helped Xavier quite a bit, but both teams could stand to cut down on the turnovers during this rematch (12 apiece). The Musketeers should be able to control most facets of the game in this home matchup, so I don’t think they’ll have too many issues if they play to their capabilities.