Blue Demons look to close out home schedule against Georgetown and Villanova

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DePaul head coach Doug Bruno has led the Blue Demons to third Big East Tournament titles in the last five seasons. (Grant Myatt / The DePaulia)

Sitting on a six game winning streak and having won nine of their last 10 games, the Blue Demons (20-6, 12-2 Big East) are back home this weekend for their final home stand of the regular season, seeking to retain their rank at the top of the Big East standings.

First up for the Blue Demons will be the Georgetown Hoyas (11-13, 6-8 Big East) on Friday night in a game that will feature both teams wearing some pink in their uniforms for breast cancer awareness.

Even though the Hoyas rank No. 7 in the Big East standings and have lost six of their last 10 games, the Blue Demons will need to secure rebounds on the defensive end because the Hoyas rank No. 2 in conference play in offensive rebound percentage.

“You cannot win against a team as talented as Georgetown without totally eliminating their second chance opportunities,” Blue Demons head coach Doug Bruno said.

“They’re quick, they’re athletic, and we have to focus on them,” senior guard Amarah Coleman said.

Following Friday night’s matchup against the Hoyas, on Sunday afternoon which is also senior day, the Villanova Wildcats (20-5, 10-4 Big East) will lace it up against the Blue Demons for a battle of the hottest teams in the conference, as the Wildcats are also on a hot streak. Having won five consecutive games while possessing the No. 3 rank in the Big East standings, the Wildcats pose a good matchup for the Blue Demons.

Both teams have shot the basketball exceptionally well in conference play, as the Wildcats have shot 45.5 percent from the field, which ranks No. 1 in conference play, and the Blue Demons have shot 44.7 percent from the field in conference play, which ranks No. 2 in conference play. Superior shooting for both teams has come from behind the arc too, as the Blue Demons rank No. 1 in 3-point field goals made in conference and the Wildcats rank No. 2 in 3-point field goals made over the span of conference play.

“Just being aware of who you’re guarding, who can shoot and making sure that you’re adjusted to where you can still help your teammates if they need it but also be able to still have high hand on the contest,” senior guard Lauren Prochaska said, are game plans that the Blue Demons will need to execute in order to keep the Wildcats from having success behind the arc. “You can’t get too far off of them… they don’t need a lot of time to get it off and they don’t need a lot of space to their shots off.”

Another thing to keep in mind is that the Blue Demons and the Wildcats are the top two teams in conference play in the assist to turnover ratio statistical category. The Blue Demons’ assist to turnover ratio is 1.5, which ranks No. 1 in conference play, and the Wildcats’ is 1.4, which ranks No. 2 in conference play. 

Beyond the analytics, the Blue Demons are looking to playing well but most importantly are looking to having some fun in front of their home fans.