DePaul Blue Demons vs Xavier Musketeers Picks and Predictions for Saturday January 31 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 01/31/2026, 03:25 AM ET

The DePaul Blue Demons head to Cincinnati on Saturday afternoon to face the Xavier Musketeers at the Cintas Center in a Big East Conference matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 PM, and the game will be televised on FS1. At the time of this writing, the moneyline odds were not released. The total for the game is set at 150.5 points, while Xavier comes in as a 4.5-point home favorite on the spread. Before placing any wagers, be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily betting insight and expert analysis.

Blue Demons Looking to Bounce Back on the Road

DePaul enters this matchup with a 12-9 overall record and has shown mixed results away from home this season. In their last five games, the Blue Demons earned wins over Seton Hall and Marquette, while suffering losses to Georgetown, Butler, and UConn. That recent stretch reflects a team capable of competing within the Big East, but one that has struggled to maintain consistency, particularly in road environments.

From a statistical perspective, DePaul averages 72.7 points per game while allowing 69.5 points, giving them a modest positive scoring margin. The Blue Demons shoot 44 percent from the field and average 33.7 rebounds per game. They also move the ball well, averaging 15.8 assists per contest, which helps keep their offense balanced.

Defensively, DePaul relies on discipline rather than pressure. They average 3.8 blocks and 6.7 steals per game, doing a solid job contesting shots and limiting easy looks. When the Blue Demons stay connected defensively, they are capable of slowing the pace and keeping games within reach.

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Musketeers Trying to Regain Form at Home

Xavier comes into Saturday’s game with an 11-10 overall record and has been searching for momentum. In their last five contests, the Musketeers picked up wins over Butler and Providence, but also suffered losses to Seton Hall, St. John’s, and Creighton. That pattern highlights a team that can score effectively but has struggled to get key stops late in games.

Offensively, Xavier averages 78.0 points per game while allowing 77.6 points, pointing to a high-variance style of play. The Musketeers shoot 44 percent from the field and average 35.1 rebounds per game. One of their strengths is ball movement, as they average 18.7 assists per game, one of the better marks in the conference.

Xavier’s offense thrives when it can dictate tempo and spread the floor. However, defensive lapses have been an issue, particularly against teams that are patient in the half court. At home, the Musketeers will look to push pace early and use their playmaking to pressure DePaul’s defense.

DePaul Blue Demons vs Xavier Musketeers Pick

DePaul Blue Demons vs Xavier Musketeers Pick Against the Spread

Xavier -4.5

I’m backing Xavier to cover the spread in this matchup. The Musketeers’ offensive balance and strong ball movement give them an edge against a DePaul team that can struggle defensively on the road. With home-court advantage and a sense of urgency, Xavier should be able to create enough separation to cover the number.

DePaul Blue Demons vs Xavier Musketeers Total Pick

Over 150.5

I’m taking the over in this game. Both teams are capable of scoring efficiently, and Xavier’s preference for a faster tempo should lead to extended scoring runs. If DePaul can keep pace offensively, this matchup has a strong chance to clear the total.

Final Score Prediction:

Xavier 80, DePaul 74

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