Last Season: 18-18 (8-12 Big East)
Preseason KenPom Rank: 56 (7th in Big East)
Head Coach: Chris Holtmann
Under third-year head coach Chris Holtmann, DePaul is looking to build on one of the more notable program revivals in recent college basketball. After a 14-20 (4-16 Big East) season in 2024-25 that included a return to the postseason for the first time since 2019, the Blue Demons improved to 16-16 overall (8-12 Big East, sixth place) in 2025-26—their best conference finish and second-most Big East wins since joining the league in 2006. They also swept Creighton for the first time in school history and ranked among the better defensive teams nationally (32nd in defensive efficiency via KenPom). Holtmann recently signed a contract extension through 2031, reflecting the program’s upward trajectory and restored competitiveness at Wintrust Arena.
Below, we see KenPom ranking by season (Pre and Post) since 2019-2020.
The Blue Demons outperformed their KenPom ranking in year 1 of the Tony Stubblefield era by 38 spots and by 41 in year 1 of the Holtmann era. Year 2 with Stubblefield saw them finish 47 spots worse than preseason and then 194 spots worse in the abysmal season of 2023-24. Holtmann’s DePaul squad finished 21 spots below the preseason rank last season but come into this one ranked 56th (the best since at least 2011 – can’t see KenPom preseason ranks prior to that). Clearly, this squad has a lot to like.
Key Returners
- Layden Blocker (senior, 6’2” G, Little Rock, Ark./Arkansas): Preseason All-Big East (third team). Averaged 11.1 points, a team-high 3.5 assists, and 1.6 steals while starting 29 of 32 games. Led the team in free throws made and ranked among Big East leaders in steals and free-throw percentage (82.8%). A high-usage initiator and defensive pest who provides continuity and pressure.
- Kruz McClure (sophomore, 6’6” G): Former four-star recruit who appeared in 28 games (four starts) as a freshman, averaging 5.0 points. Capable of scoring bursts but needs better consistency, especially on the road. Showed more value defensively than offensively as a freshman.
- Théo Pierre-Justin (junior, 6’10” F): Started double-digit games and led the team in three-point percentage (39.7% on limited volume). Solid spacer and secondary rebounder who could see an expanded role.
- Fabian Flores (junior, 7’2” C): Appeared in 28 games in limited minutes; strong rebounding rate and size that makes DePaul an even better defensive squad. Anything Flores gave the Blue Demons on offense last year was a bonus. I’d love to see him show some growth on that end.
- Other depth includes Nate Kasher, Amsal Delalić (redshirted last year after Pittsburgh experience), and Jonas Johnson.
Newcomers and Transfers
Holtmann added six transfers, all with proven production:
- Magoon Gwath (junior, 7’0” F, San Diego State): The headline addition. 2024-25 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year (2.6 blocks per game). In 2025-26 he averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 51.9% from the field and 43.5% from three. Elite rim protector with stretch potential who should anchor the defense. He had right knee surgery in April 2024-25, which delayed his start of last season and then had a hip flexor issue in January 2026 and returned in February. He will be a major factor in Holtmann’s defense if he stays healthy.
- Wilson Jacques (junior, 7’0” C, Fresno State): Started every game and averaged roughly 8.8 points and 8.8 rebounds (strong offensive rebounding). Massive physical presence (270 lbs) who provides interior toughness and rebounding. He was a major rebounding factor for Fresno State (8.6% lower rebounding percentage with him off the floor vs on- that ranks in the 99th percentile for on/off difference for a player).
- Ade Popoola (senior, 6’5” G, Tulsa): High-volume three-point shooter who averaged 10.8 points and shot 40.9% from deep on 6+ attempts per game. He is an essential piece if the Blue Demons are to take the next step on offense. He doesn’t need a ton of usage and looks like a solid defender that should fit in on that end.
- Kahmare Holmes (junior, 6’3” G, Wofford): Volume scorer who averaged 19.5 points and led the Southern Conference in steals. Efficient mid-major production that needs to translate. But another addition that should fit into Holtmann’s defense.
- Koree Cotton (senior, 6’6” G, UT Rio Grande Valley): Shooter and at 6’6, he provides good size and has shown to be a good rebounder. The turnovers are a bit of a concern on offense.
- Noah Meeusen (junior, 6’5” G, Arizona State): Big 12 experience as a do-it-all bench contributor (around 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.4 steals). Low usage, high assist rate and solid defender. Took 68.5% of his shots from three-point range but made just 31.0% of them.
Freshmen include three-star Noah Smith plus Andrew Jensen and Mason Lockett IV. The frontcourt gains significant size and length with Gwath, Jacques, and Flores, while the backcourt adds shooting around Blocker’s playmaking.
Big East Outlook
The Blue Demons will likely again lean on their defense (and they begin the year as the 4th best defensive team in the Big East). The offensive side is where they struggled last season, and where they’ll have to make a major improvement to catch the top tier of the Big East.
Schedule Snapshot
The Blue Demons open up with West Georgia on November 2nd, then South Florida on November 5th. The crosstown matchup with Northwestern is Friday, November 13th. The Fort Myers Tip Off will feature DePaul against Purdue and Pittsburgh. Two really intriguing neutral-court matchups. SMU on December 5th is another intriguing one and the road test at Saint Louis should be a tough one.
In Big East play, the Blue Demons open with St. John’s on the road on December 19th, with the first home matchup against Seton Hall on December 30th. The schedule is a bit oddly unbalanced with home and away matchups. DePaul sees 6 of 9 Big East games at home from December 30th to January 30th, then 6 of the final 10 on the road. DePaul closes out the regular season at home against Marquette on March 6th.
Outlook
DePaul has clear momentum under Holtmann after two seasons of steady improvement, better defense, and more three-point volume. The portal additions address the loss of key scorers and rebounders with size (Gwath’s rim protection is a major upgrade), shooting (Popoola, Cotton, Pierre-Justin), and scoring punch (Holmes). Chemistry and adaptation from mid-major transfers to Big East physicality will be early keys, as will limiting turnovers around Blocker and improving overall three-point efficiency.
A top-half finish (another sixth-place finish or better) and push toward the NCAA Tournament bubble (especially with a larger tournament field this year) are realistic if the defense remains elite and the newcomers gel. This is a deeper, more talented roster on paper than last year’s, positioning DePaul as a legitimate riser in the Big East.