DePaul Basketball Season Preview 2024-25: Biggest games, key players to watch and more

Modified Sep 08, 2024 12:10 GMT

Transfer forward David Skogman and new DePaul coach Chris Holtmann (Image Source: IMAGN)

DePaul had a disappointing 2023-24 college basketball season. The Blue Demons failed to win a single Big East game and finished 3-29 overall.

Third-year coach Tony Stubblefield initially called the plays for the program before being fired after a 3-15 start. Matt Brady was named interim coach but fared worse, losing DePaul's next 14 games, including the Big East Tournament.

A day after the loss to Villanova during the first round of the Big East Tournament, DePaul named Chris Holtmann as its new coach. The former Butler and Ohio State bench tactician worked immediately during the postseason and assembled a 13-man roster for the 2024-25 college basketball season.

Here's an inside look into the Blue Demons' upcoming season, from its biggest games to the key players to watch out for.

DePaul's biggest games of the 2024-25 season

A tricky nonconference schedule awaits DePaul next season, featuring three teams who advanced to the 2024 NCAA Tournament. They will face Duquesne on Nov. 15, Texas Tech on Dec. 4 as part of the Big 12-Big East Battle and Northwestern on Dec. 21.

The Blue Demons and the Dukes will meet for the third time as both teams are 1-1 in their head-to-head. On the other hand, DePaul and Texas A&M had played two times, with the Blue Demons winning both games.

Meanwhile, Northwestern won nine of its 14 games against DePaul, which last won against the Wildcats, 83-78, on Dec. 21, 2019.

DePaul will play its usual double round-robin schedule against Big East teams in the continuation of the regular season in January 2025.

Top DePaul players to watch out for in the 2024-25 season

#1. Jacob Meyer

Jacob Meyer was Coastal Carolina's top scorer last season before transferring to DePaul. The 6-foot-2 incoming sophomore put up 15.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

The Holy Cross High School product played 34 minutes per contest and shot 44.9% from the field, including 40.2% from the 3-point line. He is expected to be Chris Holtmann's main offensive weapon this coming season.

#2. Isaiah Rivera

Isaiah Rivera had a breakout season for UIC, averaging 15.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 1.8 apg. The 6-foot-5 guard out of Geneseo, Illinois, shot 46.0% from the field, including 41.6% from deep, and made 77.0% of his free-throw attempts.

The fifth-year senior would likely share leadership responsibilities with Meyer in the coming season, as both players can drop tons of points in a single game.

#3. David Skogman

David Skogman had his career year with Davidson cut short with a season-ending injury. The 6-foot-10 forward played 17 games last season and averaged 13.3 ppg and 4.9 rpg while shooting 55.6% from the field, which included a 47.1% clip from deep.

The fifth-year senior will be DePaul's top frontcourt option, as he can shoot well from inside the lane and knock down outside jumpers when needed.

Predictions for DePaul's 2024-25 season

DePaul has an unpredictable lineup for its 2024-25 campaign, as all of its players come from the transfer portal and high school. First-year Blue Demons coach Chris Holtmann will have his hands full in guiding the team to a respectable finish after an embarrassing season where it won three games.

The team's fate this season will rest on the shoulders of Jacob Meyer, Isaiah Rivera and David Skogman, as it hopes to overcome the Big East juggernauts to pull off a respectable season.

Will DePaul win more than three games in the 2024-25 men's basketball season? Let us know your views in the comments section.