A Season in Review
The 2025‑26 campaign ended with a 16‑16 record for the DePaul Blue Demons, a mark that placed them ninth in the nation among Division I programs and sixth in the Big East conference. The season concluded with a first‑round defeat to Georgetown in the Big East tournament, marking the close of a year that saw the team climb from a 14‑20 record the previous year.
Defensively, the club showed marked improvement, cracking the top five in the conference for efficiency, yet the offense remained a persistent bottleneck, finishing last in the league in that category. The disparity highlighted both progress and the gaps that still need filling.
Among the returning pieces, senior guard Layden Blocker emerged as a steady presence, averaging 11.1 points and 3.5 assists per game, though his three‑point shooting stayed below expectations. His contribution will be a cornerstone as the roster rebuilds around new talent.
The offseason brought a wave of movement, with six transfers and three freshmen joining the program. Names such as Magoon Gwath, Wilson Jacques, Koree Cotton, Noah Meeusen, Ade Popoola and Kahmare Holmes arrived with the explicit aim of bolstering scoring depth and alleviating the offensive load.
Coach Chris Holtmann, now in his second year, emphasized the need for the newcomers to translate practice efficiency into game‑time production. If the incoming players can elevate the team's scoring output, the Blue Demons hope to break into NCAA tournament contention for the first time in several seasons.
Looking Ahead
The trajectory of the 2026‑27 season will hinge on how quickly the transfers adapt to Big East competition and whether Blocker can sustain his playmaking while improving his perimeter accuracy. The coaching staff’s ability to integrate these pieces will determine whether the modest rise in the national rankings translates into a meaningful postseason push.