With their 61-58 victory over Wichita State on Saturday, DePaul men’s basketball wrapped up non-conference play with an 8-3 record. On a three-game winning streak, the Blue Demons now look to the start of Big East play against St. John’s on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. CST. 

“We’re looking forward to it,” head coach Chris Holtmann said.

Holtmann highlighted two areas of play the team needs to focus on to slow down St. John’s offense.

“I think a big key right now is you gotta take care of the ball,” Holtmann said. “You’ve got to be able to eliminate some of their easy scores in transition that are fueled off their ability to turn you over. I think it begins right there, and then you’ve gotta keep them off the glass.”

To play a clean game on offense, Holtmann said the Blue Demons need “great spacing” and “great paint reads.” He also said the team needs to be “strong with the ball.”

On the defensive end, Holtmann said the Blue Demons need to limit three-point shots and be aware of St. John’s ability to score in the paint.

“We’ve got to do a great job at affecting their shooters,” Holtmann said. “They’re great at attacking the paint and playing off of closeouts, but we’re gonna have to be able to do both in this game.”

But Holtmann said that, defensively, the Blue Demons are currently “one of the best teams in the country.” He thinks the team is top 50 at limiting opponents’ three-point attempts.

In non-conference play, opponents took 195 3-pointers compared to DePaul’s 249. The Blue Demons are also averaging 7.4 steals per game.

During the non-conference slate, multiple players stepped up for the Blue Demons.

The three leading scorers — senior guard CJ Gunn (14.2 points per game), junior guard Layden Blocker (11.5 per game) and senior forward NJ Benson (11.3 per game) — guided the team to victory in tough games with key offensive performances.

Gunn scored a career-high 28 points in an eight-point win over Stonehill on Nov. 7. Against Wichita State — DePaul’s last non-conference game — Gunn scored 16 first-half points to bring the struggling offense to life. His 18 total points led the Blue Demons in the three-point victory. Gunn was named to the Big East Honor Roll this week. 

“I think in those moments, you’re always looking for a guy to be able to step up and kind of lead the way, and give your team a little confidence, and that’s exactly what CJ did,” Holtmann said.

Blocker scored 18 points in the 75-61 win over Georgia Tech in the first round of the Emerald Coast Classic in Florida. His 14 second-half points helped the Blue Demons turn a seven-point halftime deficit into a 14-point victory.

“I just think he’s really grown as a player,” Holtmann said about Blocker after the Gardner-Webb game on Nov. 18. “He’s mature. He’s played to win.” 

As for Benson, he also notched a career-high in points this season. His 26 points propelled DePaul to a four-point win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff — the game after the 33-point loss to LSU. Following the performance, Benson was named to the Big East Honor Roll for the second time this season.

Early in non-conference play, Blocker described Benson as “a lob threat” and “athletic,” noting his “long arms” when discussing their on-court chemistry. 

Benson said he enjoys catching lobs from Blocker. 

“Sometimes … I feel like he thinks he sees Giannis (Antetokounmpo) down there,” Benson said after the Chicago State game.

Freshman guard Kruz McClure is the fourth leading scorer for the Blue Demons, averaging eight points per game. He led the team in scoring against Northwestern (15 points) and LSU (22 points).

Despite being a freshman, McClure said he is confident when he steps onto the court. 

“For me, it’s just going out there and trusting my work,” McClure said to the media before the Emerald Coast Classic. “The coaches have tremendous confidence in me, which only boosts my confidence.”

Transfers Brandon Maclin, Kaleb Banks and RJ Smith have also contributed during non-conference play. All three are averaging seven or more points per game. 

Maclin scored 16 points against Georgia Tech, including 14 in the second half, to lead the comeback alongside Blocker. 

Banks led the Blue Demons with 18 points against Morgan State. Holtmann said he “loved his aggressiveness.”

“I thought he was detailed defensively,” Holtmann said after the game. “He’s still gotta be able to guard the ball and play without fouling. That’s what he struggles with right now, but he’s a kid who’s a good shooter. We’ve seen that.”

Although Holtmann noted that St. John’s is “an extremely physical group,” the Blue Demons received recognition for their physicality and makeup from Northwestern head coach Chris Collins following the Nov. 14 matchup.

Collins said he knew about DePaul’s physicality, size and length from watching film. On every game he watched, he said the announcers kept saying that the Blue Demons are “the second biggest team in the Big East this year.”

“When you see it in person, it’s impressive,” Collins said. “They have great physicality.”

Following the matchup against St. John’s, the Blue Demons return home to host UConn on Dec. 21.

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