Men’s Basketball Prepares for DePaul

Brooke Ackerman Co-Sports Editor

The men’s basketball team (10-13, 4-8 Big East) will return home to the Finneran Pavilion on Wednesday for another in conference matchup against the DePaul Blue Demons are currently ranked 10th in the Big East with only three in conference wins, holding a 9-15 overall record. Former Wildcat Jalen Brunson’s jersey will be retired at halftime.

The last time these two teams met was on January 10, when the Blue Demons had a second half surge that pushed them past the Wildcats to claim their fi rst win in the series in 14 years.

While the fi rst half ended with just a one point diff erential, an 15-3 boost early in the second half pushed DePaul ahead of the Wildcats, helping it win 75-65.

For DePaul, Javan Johnson helped to fuel a 9-2 run that spearheaded their success in the second half. Big man Da’sean Nelson went head-to-head with Eric Dixon, proving to be successful in the paint, putting up eight points in less than ten minutes.

Now looking forward to their second meeting of the season, the pressure is on for the ‘Cats to reclaim their success in the series, and snap their own three game losing streak.

As for the Blue Demons, while they are currently on a fi ve game losing streak, there are a few key players to watch for this upcoming matchup.

Senior Umoja Gibson currently leads the team averaging 16 PPG. Johnson and Nelson are the second and third leading scorers on the squad, averaging over 10 PPG, making them key diff erence makers that the Wildcats will need to lock down in order to come out on top.

Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m and the game will air nationally on FS1.

Weekly Scoreboard

Feb. 1 - Feb. 8

Wednesday, February 1

Women’s Basketball vs Marquette 73-54 W

Men’s Basketball @ No. 14 Marquette 64-73 L

Thursday, February 2

Friday, February 3

Women’s Track @ Bruce Lehane Scarlet & White Invite No Team Scoring

Saturday, February 4

Women’s Tennis @ NJIT

0-7 L

Men’s Track @ Scarlet Night Open No Team Scoring

Women’s Track @ Bruce Lehane Scarlet & White Invite No Team Scoring

Men’s Basketball @ Creighton 61-66 L

Women’s Basketball @ Butler 78-58 W

Women’s Water Polo @ Mercyhurst

18-8 W

Men’s Tennis @ Bucknell

4-3 W

Women’s Lacrosse @ Delaware No Team Scoring

Sunday, February 5

Men’s Tennis @ Penn State

1-6 L