” We ended up having a one-day prep for this,” Holtmann said. “We have a one-day prep for Marquette just due to some just academic penalties. I think the biggest thing is every coach looks at it and says, ‘Hey, listen, how do you keep your guys fresh this time of year? How do you continue to get better?’ I think right now, if you said to me, ‘Hey, what do your guys need the most?’ We need a little bit of rest.”

“I just like his approach,” Holtmann said. “I think he’s a young man who really wants to get better. He’s going to be important for us as we move forward and continue to grow and build this program. I just like how coachable he is. Again, the biggest thing for him is his details improving defensively and offensively, and him understanding that.”

Holtmann confirmed that Enright did dislocate his shoulder versus Villanova.

“I wouldn’t put it past him to rip that thing (shoulder brace) off at some point.” Holtmann said. “Our trainers are going to make sure that he needs to keep that on. It’ll have to be something in the offseason, heading in the next year, we’ll have to address in terms of what’s the next move to make sure that doesn’t happen next year.”

“No one said this was going to be an easy or quick turnaround,” Holtmann said. “You don’t turn around a program in a couple months. The reality is we’ve got to do everything we can to just continue to get better and continue to grow. I love our fan base. I love how passionate they are and how excited they are about the people that I’ve come in contact with have been so positive about the way we’ve played, the energy our guys have played with. I’m sure they’re disappointed with the results, but they’ve been incredibly positive, both through personal interactions and calls/emails.  I think that make us want to fight even harder.”

DePaul is shooting 29% from three. DePaul started the season hot from downtown but as yet to catch fire again since Big East play started.

DePaul has only scored on 34% of their offensive possession thus far. Averaging 0.8 points per possession.

DePaul has started to comeback, but some costly turnovers leave it at a 14-point deficit. Conor Enright has 4 fouls, one more and he will foul out. Something to watch.

DePaul finally able to cut into the deficit that was 20 points with the help of a 7-0 run over the last 2:28.

DePaul could not buy a bucket for the last five minutes. DePaul converted 1 of their last 12 shots. Xavier closes out the half on a 21-3 run spanning the final 8:21.

Xavier went on a 13-3 run to pull out front. DePaul went nearly five minutes without a bucket.

The last three minutes of the game has been a rock fight. DePaul has not scored in the last 2:02, Xaiver has not scored in the last 3:01.

DePaul is currently shooting 50% from FG range, 3 for 7 on threes.

DePaul guard Conor Enright has assisted on three of DePaul’s four made baskets thus far. Enright ranks in the Top 10 in the nation in assists per game. NJ Benson has been tagged with two quick fouls. Will have to monitor his usage the rest of the half.

DePaul is debuting their brand-new city edition baby blue uniforms with red numbers and letters with a white outline. Xavier is in all black uniforms with white numbers and letters.

Tip-off at the logo between DePaul’s NJ Benson and Xavier’s Jerome Hunter is won by Benson.

And… Away…We… Go…

DePaul freshman forward Chris Riddle has not participated in pre-game warmups. Looks like he will be out today. He did not dress in DePaul’s previous contest versus Seton Hall.