As postseason excitement builds with the Big East Tournament around the corner, DePaul students look forward to cheering on their basketball teams, whether on the couch or at Kelly’s Pub, a popular Lincoln Park bar close to campus. 

Justin Villarreal, a 2025 DePaul alum who studied sports communication, said some of his favorite memories of the tournament happened at Kelly’s surrounded by classmates. 

“I typically watch DePaul games at my house,” Villarreal said, but he sometimes heads to Kelly’s for key games, including last year. “It was a super fun experience, especially when we beat Georgetown in the Big East Tournament.”  

Even in a city like Chicago where professional teams often dominate attention, the excitement adds a layer of school spirit. The men’s team enters the tournament with a solid conference record of 7-10, the women’s team has faced a more challenging season with a 4-15 conference record, making fans hesitate to travel on the road to watch them play.

For Braedyn Martínez, a DePaul junior studying sports communication, watching the tournament is more about atmosphere and convenience.

“I personally enjoy watching the Big East tournament at a bar or my house,” Martínez said. “It’s a chill vibe, and I can save some money and watch other games too.”

Whether at a bar or watching from home, postseason play offers a break from school work and other responsibilities. Still, when it comes to traveling for the tournament, enthusiasm is paired with realism.

Villarreal said he would consider traveling for a Big East game in the future, but only under the right circumstances.

“It would really depend on the situation,” he said. “Most of the Big East games are located in smaller East Coast cities, and I’d much rather be in Chicago than any of those cities.” 

“But if the circumstances align,” he added, “I’d definitely go to see DePaul play on the road.”

Martínez also shared that uncertainty, noting the unpredictability of the tournament, since neither the men’s or women’s teams are favored to win the whole thing. 

“I would consider traveling,” Martínez said. “Its just hard to gauge when you know DePaul will win or lose, so you either have to book the whole weekend or book a day.”

Nora Smith, a sophomore studying political science and journalism, said watching Big East games has become a family tradition. 

“I usually watch Big East games at home with my parents,” Smith said. “We’ll have little get-togethers with my siblings and family friends and make a day out of it, especially when the game falls on a Saturday. We’ll have food, pigs in a blanket and stuff like that.”

Heading into the tournament, Smith believes the women’s team may have a slight competitive edge within the conference but is keeping her expectations realistic. 

“I think the women might win one game and then that will probably be it, but I think they’ll do a good job and try really hard,” Smith said.

While some students are considering travel for postseason play, Smith said a trip to Connecticut for the tournament isn’t realistic for her this year. 

“I wouldn’t travel this year,” Smith said. “If we were better and I liked the team we were playing more, maybe I would. But money-wise it’s just not in the cards, and I don’t think we’re as strong as I’d want to spend that much.”

Despite differing expectations for how far DePaul might advance, students say the tournament still sparks optimism.  

For DePaul students, the Big East Tournament is more than a series of games. It’s a time to gather together and show school pride. Martínez believes the team could make a semifinal run, while Villarreal is hoping for something even bigger.

“I want to see us play in the Big East title game this year, even if that might be a little bit lofty of an expectation,” Villarreal said. Going to Kelly’s with other DePaul students to watch his team play in a high-stakes game feels like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

“Why not dream big?” Villarreal said. 

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