DePaul Blue Demons vs Butler Bulldogs Picks and Predictions January 20th 2026
Big East action hits Hinkle Fieldhouse on Tuesday night as Butler hosts DePaul in a matchup tipping at 7:30 PM ET. The Bulldogs are 7.5-point favorites at home and listed at -379 on the moneyline. DePaul enters as a +282 underdog, with the total set at 150.5. Both teams are searching for consistency in conference play, but Butler has been significantly stronger at home.
DePaul has struggled to keep games close on the road, especially against disciplined defensive teams like Butler. The Blue Demons are giving up too many clean looks, and their inability to control tempo has led to extended runs by opponents. Butler isn’t perfect, but they defend well at home and tend to win the shot quality battle.
DePaul Blue Demons vs Butler Bulldogs Odds
These are the current betting lines for DePaul vs Butler. Be sure to monitor the latest college basketball odds for movement and updated pricing.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DePaul Blue Demons | +282 | +7.5 (-105) | O 150.5 (-110) |
| Butler Bulldogs | -379 | -7.5 (-121) | U 150.5 (-110) |
DePaul Blue Demons Betting Form
DePaul is coming off another disappointing performance, and it’s been a trend. The Blue Demons have lost five of their last six games and have been unreliable both ATS and SU. They rank near the bottom of the Big East in defensive efficiency and can’t seem to string together stops. Offensively, they rely too heavily on isolation play and rarely generate efficient looks beyond the arc.
Rebounding is also an issue, especially on the defensive glass. DePaul allows too many second chances, and that’s compounded when they can’t push in transition. Without a consistent inside presence or reliable half-court sets, they’re left hoping for a hot shooting night that rarely comes — especially on the road.
Review the full DePaul Blue Demons stats and results and keep an eye on the DePaul Blue Demons injury report for lineup updates.
Butler Bulldogs Betting Form
Butler has quietly been one of the more stable home teams in the conference this year. The Bulldogs play smart, low-mistake basketball at Hinkle, where their defensive communication tends to improve. They’re not elite offensively, but they move the ball well and rarely take bad shots. Their tempo is modest, but they execute with spacing and efficiency.
The Bulldogs’ biggest strength is their perimeter defense. They close out hard and don’t give up many clean threes. Combined with a veteran backcourt and solid rebounding numbers, Butler has a formula that works — especially against erratic teams like DePaul.
Dive into the Butler Bulldogs schedule and stats and stay updated through the Butler Bulldogs injury report before game time.
DePaul Blue Demons vs Butler Bulldogs Matchup Breakdown
This matchup tilts in Butler’s favor from a style perspective. DePaul wants to run, but Butler doesn’t allow easy transition chances and can grind games down to their pace. In the half-court, DePaul’s sloppy rotations will struggle to contain Butler’s spacing and ball movement.
Key matchup edges:
- Butler’s home-court edge and rebounding control
- DePaul’s high turnover rate vs Butler’s disciplined defense
- Pace leans slower, which favors the Bulldogs’ structure
- Limited free-throw attempts expected on both sides
If DePaul doesn’t hit threes, they don’t really have another path to cover. Butler should be able to dictate pace, win the turnover margin, and play clean late. That sets up well for a cover and possibly a low-variance Under depending on foul trouble.
DePaul Blue Demons vs Butler Bulldogs Predictions and Best Bets
Butler -7.5 isn’t cheap, but it’s justified. The Bulldogs are the far more efficient team on both ends, and they’ve proven they can close games out at home. DePaul doesn’t defend, doesn’t shoot well, and doesn’t rebound — that’s a brutal combo against a team like Butler.
The total at 150.5 feels slightly inflated for the way Butler plays. DePaul might try to push tempo, but unless they’re shooting at a high clip, it’s hard to see this becoming a shootout. Butler’s slower pace and structured defense lean this toward the Under — especially if they’re controlling late possessions.
Best Bet: Butler Bulldogs -7.5 (-121)
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