DePaul vs. Wichita State: A Matchup Preview

Another weekend of college hoops is here, and this slate brings a matchup that has been on my radar for weeks. DePaul steps into a new challenge with its first true road test of the season, and the timing could not be more telling. Wichita State has already shown early strength, while DePaul is still trying to prove it can handle a higher level of competition outside its home gym. This sets the stage for a deeper look at both teams, the numbers behind their starts, and the key areas that will shape what happens once the ball goes up.

4.9/5 Review Rating

Bonus & Benefits
Up to $1,250 + 50 Free Slots Spins
See our review »

$1,250 Welcome Bonus
Bet Live on Your Favorite Sports
Earn More with Rebel Rewards!

Play Now & Claim Bonus »

Write Up Transparency

Be sure to follow me on X/Twitter @C_marchio2 to get my full card every day! Picks are always FREE.

Last 7 Days: 13-3 (+9.94 Units)

Last 30 Days: 42-28 (+14.96 Units)

DePaul vs. Wichita State Odds

How will the Shockers hold down the Blue Demons?

You can find all of these great College Basketball odds on Lucky Rebel. Get a $1,250 deposit bonus & 50 Slot Spins when you sign up!

Spread

DePaul: +5.5 (-110)

Wichita State: -5.5 (-110)

Total

Over: 141.5 (-110)

Under: 141.5 (-110)

Moneyline

DePaul: +215

Wichita State: -265

DePaul vs. Wichita State Best Bet

The weekend is here, and there is no better way to enjoy it than by sprinkling a few dollars on a college basketball game. DePaul heads to Wichita after taking down Morgan State on Tuesday. The Shockers are coming off back to back wins to start December, looking to handle a DePaul group that has not been tested once in another opponents gym this season.

First Road Trip

This DePaul alum has had this matchup circled for over a month because this will be the Blue Demons first true road game of the season. Yes, their first games away from home were against Georgia Tech and LSU at the Emerald Classic, but this will be their first test in a hostile environment, something they have not faced since the 2024 to 2025 season.

Not only is this DePaul’s first true road game, it is also their toughest opponent since losing to LSU on November 29. Since that matchup, DePaul has played back to back games against teams in the bottom 35. They are coming off a 92 to 49 win over Morgan State. I was at that game, and the Bears are easily one of the worst basketball teams I have ever seen. Now the Blue Demons have to take on a top 100 Shockers team.

Tested Shockers

On the schedule front, Wichita State has endured the 78th toughest slate in the country, per Haslametrics. DePaul has faced the sixth easiest schedule. Haslametrics also gives the Shockers a strong home court advantage, ranking them 129th in away and home court metrics, while DePaul sits dead last.

Wichita State has been excelling in several areas this season. They are inside the top 50 in effective field goal percentage defense and turnover offense. They are also inside the top 20 in offensive rebounding and offensive block percentage. Scoring inside has been their weakness, ranking 262nd, but DePaul has struggled in the paint against every top 100 opponent they have faced. Against LSU, the Tigers went 30 for 38 from the floor, and Northwestern went 22 for 34. The Shockers should be more than capable of producing inside.

One area to watch is DePaul at the free throw line. Through the first month, they rank 15th in free throw rate offense but sit 216th in free throw percentage. All of this has come at home. How will they shoot in a true road environment?

All in all, I fully expect DePaul to struggle on the road. They just faced what might be the worst team in college basketball on Tuesday, and now they move on to a top 100 opponent in their gym. With such a limited amount of real tests to prepare for stronger competition, the Blue Demons should be in for a difficult night. After this matchup, they head to New York for their first Big East game of the season against St. John’s. It is a tough road ahead for DePaul, and the question becomes simple, can they survive?