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Xavier Musketeers vs DePaul Blue Demons Picks and Predictions January 3rd 2026
The Xavier Musketeers head to Chicago to take on the DePaul Blue Demons in a Big East clash on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026. Tipoff is set for 2:00 PM ET at Wintrust Arena. DePaul is a narrow 2.5-point favorite in a matchup between two teams still looking for rhythm in conference play.
Xavier’s been inconsistent — competitive in stretches but lacking full-game execution. DePaul, meanwhile, is hoping to capitalize on home court and finally string together some winning momentum. Both teams have talent, but neither has been trustworthy against the number this season. That makes this a tight, volatile betting spot.
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Xavier vs DePaul Odds
Here are the latest betting odds. For real-time movement and injury-based shifts, visit the college basketball odds page.
| Team | Spread |
|---|---|
| Xavier Musketeers | +2.5 (-112) |
| DePaul Blue Demons | -2.5 (-112) |
Xavier Betting Form
The Xavier Musketeers have struggled to find consistency. They’ve had issues closing games, and while they have the backcourt talent to compete, their decision-making late in close contests has cost them.
Offensively, they rely on ball movement and drive-and-kick actions, but when their guards get too isolation-heavy, the offense stalls. Defensively, they’ve been hit-or-miss — solid in stretches, leaky in others. The lack of interior presence has made them vulnerable to second-chance points.
They’ve fared better as a dog than a favorite this season, which makes the +2.5 intriguing. Still, Xavier’s floor is low on the road — especially if they fall behind early and start forcing shots.
Always confirm player availability with the Xavier injury report before making a move.
DePaul Betting Form
The DePaul Blue Demons haven’t impressed overall, but they’ve shown flashes at home. Their backcourt is capable of scoring in bunches, and they tend to play faster at Wintrust Arena. They’ll need that offensive energy here to control the pace.
Defensively, they pressure the ball well and turn over teams that lack guard discipline — which could be a factor against Xavier’s occasionally shaky decision-making. But they also give up plenty of open looks from deep, which can turn a game quickly if the opponent heats up.
DePaul’s success depends largely on energy and rebounding. If they bring both, especially early, they can get separation. If they come out flat, they’re vulnerable — even as small home favorites.
Be sure to review the DePaul injury report for any backcourt availability concerns.
Xavier vs DePaul Matchup Breakdown
These teams match up fairly evenly, and both have exploitable flaws. It comes down to shot-making and tempo.
- Backcourt Play: Slight edge to DePaul at home, but Xavier can keep pace if its guards stay composed.
- Rebounding: Both teams are average on the glass. Whoever wins this battle likely wins the game.
- Turnovers: Xavier is sloppier, which could fuel DePaul’s transition scoring.
- Late-Game Execution: Neither team has been trustworthy — but Xavier has more experience in close games.
This could go either way. The spread is small, and the game may come down to which team hits free throws and makes one or two stops in the final minutes.
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Xavier vs DePaul Predictions and Best Bets
With a short line and uncertain form on both sides, the betting angle here is all about trust. And right now, DePaul at home gets the slight nod. They’ve been slightly more efficient in their own gym, and if they dictate pace, they should have the edge.
Xavier isn’t a bad dog, but you’re banking on a clean, 40-minute effort — something we haven’t consistently seen. The spread’s too sharp to bet big, but the small number allows for margin if DePaul closes strong.
Best Bet: DePaul -2.5 (-112)
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