Event Preview
Overview
The DePaul Blue Demons are set to host the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions in a non-conference NCAA men's basketball matchup on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM CST. This game marks the second all-time meeting between the two programs, with DePaul leading the series 1-0 after an 81-62 victory in 2011. (depaulbluedemons.com)
Season Snapshot
DePaul Blue Demons
The Blue Demons enter the game with a 5-3 record, including a 4-2 mark at home. They recently participated in the Emerald Coast Classic, finishing as runners-up. In the tournament, DePaul secured a 75-61 win over Georgia Tech but fell to LSU 96-63 in the championship game. Freshman Kruz McClure was a standout during the trip, averaging 14.5 points per game, highlighted by a 22-point performance against LSU. Sophomore Layden Blocker also earned All-Tournament honors, averaging 12 points and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 57.1% from the field. (depaulbluedemons.com)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
The Golden Lions have struggled this season, holding a 1-8 record. Their lone victory came against the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) on Tuesday. UAPB has faced a challenging schedule, including games against Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, and SMU. Head coach Solomon Bozeman is in his fifth season leading the program. (depaulbluedemons.com)
Recent Form
DePaul Blue Demons
DePaul has shown resilience, bouncing back from a tough loss to LSU with a decisive win over Georgia Tech. The team's offense has been potent, averaging 77.8 points per game, ranking ninth in the Big East Conference. Defensively, they allow 70.9 points per game, placing them seventh in the conference. (livesports360.net)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
UAPB snapped a seven-game losing streak with their recent win over UIC. However, they have struggled defensively, allowing an average of 94.1 points per game over their last five contests. (foxsports.com)
Talking Points
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DePaul's Offensive Firepower: Can the Blue Demons' high-scoring offense continue to dominate against a struggling UAPB defense?
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UAPB's Defensive Challenges: How will the Golden Lions address their defensive vulnerabilities to contain DePaul's scoring threats?
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Impact of Freshman Talent: Will Kruz McClure's recent performances inspire continued success for DePaul?
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Coaching Strategies: How will Solomon Bozeman adjust his game plan to compete with DePaul's offensive prowess?
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Home Court Advantage: Can DePaul leverage their home-court advantage to secure a decisive victory?
Players to Watch
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Kruz McClure (DePaul): The freshman guard has been a standout, averaging 14.5 points per game in recent outings, including a 22-point performance against LSU. (depaulbluedemons.com)
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Layden Blocker (DePaul): The sophomore guard earned All-Tournament honors at the Emerald Coast Classic, averaging 12 points and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 57.1% from the field. (depaulbluedemons.com)
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Quion Williams (UAPB): The senior guard leads the Golden Lions with 14.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, showcasing his all-around skills. (livesports360.net)
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Jaquan Scott (UAPB): Averaging 14.4 points per game, Scott is a key offensive weapon for the Golden Lions. (livesports360.net)
Key Matchups & Storylines
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DePaul's Offense vs. UAPB's Defense: DePaul's high-scoring offense will test UAPB's defensive capabilities, which have been a concern this season. (foxsports.com)
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Freshman Impact: The performances of DePaul's freshmen, particularly McClure, could be pivotal in determining the game's outcome. (depaulbluedemons.com)
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Coaching Adjustments: Solomon Bozeman's strategies will be crucial in addressing UAPB's defensive shortcomings and exploiting DePaul's weaknesses.
Fun Facts
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Series History: DePaul leads the all-time series 1-0, with their only previous meeting resulting in an 81-62 victory in 2011. (depaulbluedemons.com)
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Home Court Advantage: DePaul has a 4-2 record at home this season, indicating a strong performance in front of their home crowd. (livesports360.net)
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Freshman Standout: Kruz McClure's 22-point game against LSU is the highest individual scoring performance for DePaul this season. (depaulbluedemons.com)
Things to Chirp About
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"Can DePaul's offense keep up the momentum after their big win over Georgia Tech?"
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"Is Kruz McClure the real deal? His 22-point game against LSU was impressive!"
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"UAPB's defense has been porous lately; can they tighten up against DePaul?"
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"With a 4-2 home record, DePaul seems to have a strong home-court advantage. Will it make a difference tonight?"
Prediction
DePaul enters this matchup as the clear favorite, given their superior record and offensive capabilities. While UAPB has shown resilience, their defensive struggles may pose significant challenges against DePaul's high-scoring offense. The Blue Demons are likely to secure a comfortable victory, but the exact margin remains uncertain.