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DePaul (8-17, 1-11 Big East) had No. 2 Villanova (24-2, 11-2) on upset alert earlier this season but wasn't able to pull off the stunner on the road. Now both teams meet again, this time in the Windy City.
How to watch, listen, and stream
Game Time: Monday, February 13, 2017, at 9 p.m. ET
TV: CBS Sports Network (Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, Allie LaForce)
RADIO: 610 Sports WTEL-AM (Villanova), WSCR - 670 The Score (DePaul)
Live Stream: CBSsports.com (Where available)
Gamblin’ Info
Villanova is listed as a 19-point favorite, according to Oddsshark.com.
All-Time Series
The Wildcats lead the all-time series, 23-8, over the Blue Demons. They also haven't lost to DePaul since 2008. Earlier this season, Villanova won 68-65 on Dec. 28.
What to Watch For
Unfinished Business
DePaul may sit well at the bottom of the Big East standings, but don't let the 1-11 record in conference play and its eight-game losing streak fool you. There have been a couple of glimpses in which the Blue Demons did not play like a bottom-feeder team. Butler got to experience it, almost getting upset in overtime until ultimately winning by just one point. Even Villanova, who sits atop the Big East, almost saw its lengthy win-streak at the Pavilion end at the hands of the Blue Demons. DePaul was a few made baskets away from stunning Villanova but couldn't get the job done. Tre'Darius McCallum enjoyed a solid 19 point (9-of-13 shooting), seven rebound, and three steal performance. Can he do it again?
Also, despite scoring double figures on Dec. 28, Eli Cain and Billy Garrett Jr. were both inefficient, combining for 12-of-36 (33.3 percent) shooting on the night. Cain and Garrett have been the team's core, so an upset bid will require a much better performance this time around.
Jalen Brunson's Homecoming
A crowd of Chicagoans appeared last year to see the Lincolnshire, Ill. native play in the Windy City for the first time as a Wildcat. In that Feb. 9, 2016 game at the Allstate Arena, Brunson had a steady 11 points, three rebounds, and four assists. Now, he's returned and is one of the featured players in the lineup, no longer on the tight leash he once was on last year.
The sophomore guard has been playing pretty well as of late. He's scored at least 10 points in seven of the last eight games, and has averaged just under 15 points per game during that stretch.
It'll be interesting to see what he does back in his native city, with a much more prominent role.
Own the Boards
Villanova is most likely to be without Darryl Reynolds once again, who missed the Xavier game due to an injury. Reynolds, the 6-9 forward, is listed as the Wildcats' tallest rotational player. His absence was felt, as Villanova got owned 42-26 on the glass by the Musketeers, including giving away 22 offensive rebounds to Xavier.
Last time around, DePaul held a slight one rebound advantage, but should look and try to capitalize on the missing size upfront. However, Xavier did allow the Wildcats to get hot, as it went cold, but winning this facet of the game will be crucial in any hopes of an upset.
6-7 forward Eric Paschall has stepped in to fill the gap in the starting five, while 6-10 freshman Dylan Painter seemed to have gotten a little playing time against Xavier. If anything, his three minutes of action is indicative that he's probably not ready to play increased minutes against Big East opponents, so Jay Wright seems to be playing small(er) ball. DePaul has to capitalize, and Villanova can only hope to win the defensive battle like it did against Xavier.