Depaul Blue Demons vs Lsu Tigers Picks and Predictions November 29th 2025

Game Preview: DePaul @ LSU

LSU and DePaul meet Saturday night at Raider Arena in Destin, Fla., for the Emerald Coast Classic final, with LSU looking to remain unbeaten and DePaul aiming for its first marquee multi-team event title in years. DePaul appears on the DePaul Blue Demons team page, while LSU is listed at the LSU Tigers page. The Tigers opened as 6-point favorites behind a 6-0 start, while DePaul carries momentum from Friday’s 75-61 semifinal win over Georgia Tech. LSU’s 71-62 victory over Drake served as its first meaningful test of the season, setting up a compelling neutral-site final with two teams trending upward.

Both teams saw their defensive game plans validated in the semifinals, but Saturday’s matchup will stress shot creation and rebounding control more heavily. This neutral-court environment also introduces pace volatility, making it an attractive handicapping spot.

Odds and Key Information

LSU opened as -6.0 favorites with the total at 152, and early market signals suggest modest action on the over given both teams’ offensive outputs. Public bettors have leaned toward LSU’s scoring ceiling, while sharper play has shown interest in DePaul’s recent ATS trajectory and improved defensive connectivity. LSU’s offense remains one of the country’s most efficient at 94 points per game, but the Tigers’ 3-point inconsistency against Drake created hesitations for some early backers.

LSU coach Matt McMahon stressed effort and intensity after their win, noting that execution must improve as the Tigers move into a tougher December schedule. DePaul coach Chris Holtmann credited his staff for the Georgia Tech game plan and emphasized his team’s growing belief after securing their first non-conference Power 5 win in nearly two years.

DePaul Outlook

DePaul is beginning to take shape as a disciplined, physical team under Holtmann, with Friday’s win over Georgia Tech highlighting a blend of improved communication and balanced scoring. The Blue Demons outscored the Yellow Jackets 50-29 in the second half, attacking mismatches and forcing turnovers through well-timed pressure rotations.

Layden Blocker’s 18-point outing offered shot creation DePaul lacked early in the season, while Brandon Maclin’s leadership and defensive presence anchored a strong backcourt effort. DePaul’s offensive profile—79.9 points per game, 48.2% shooting, and strong free-throw reliability—suggests they can keep LSU’s defense engaged through on-ball screens and post actions.

The Blue Demons rank 38th nationally in assists per game (18.3), indicating a willingness to move the ball until they locate high-percentage looks. Their path to victory hinges on limiting LSU’s interior efficiency, controlling second-chance opportunities, and maintaining the physicality they displayed in the semifinals. If DePaul dictates tempo through half-court sets, they can turn this into a possession-driven game.

For additional NCAAB team evaluations, bettors can review the college basketball teams index.

LSU Tigers Outlook

LSU’s undefeated start has come through a profile built on shot efficiency, rebounding strength, and aggressive downhill scoring. Mike Nwoko leads at 18.2 points per game, with Dedan Thomas Jr. adding 14.8 and serving as the primary facilitator in ball-screen actions. Their 52.6% field-goal mark ranks 11th nationally, while their free-throw volume—22.7 makes per game—makes them one of the more reliable scoring teams late in games.

The Tigers showed meaningful resilience versus Drake, overcoming a poor shooting night from deep (5-for-19) with defensive pressure and rebounding control. LSU’s 44.2 rebounds per game rank inside the national top 20, and their ability to win margin-of-error categories—free throws, interior scoring, second-chance points—provides a strong baseline.

McMahon praised the team’s competitiveness and energy, recognizing that cleaner offensive execution will be needed against a DePaul team that thrives on discipline. LSU’s challenge will be generating high-percentage looks against a Blue Demons defense that closes gaps well and forces opponents to play through contact.

Key Matchup Table

Key Factor	Advantage
Offensive Efficiency	LSU Tigers
Rebounding Control	LSU Tigers
Backcourt Shot Creation	DePaul Blue Demons
Turnover Margin	DePaul Blue Demons
Free-Throw Volume	LSU Tigers

Betting Trends

DePaul enters on a three-game winning streak and is 1-0 ATS as an underdog this season. Their recent offensive consistency has pushed games toward higher totals, though neutral-court scoring patterns can be volatile.

LSU is 6-0 straight up and has covered consistently when favored, also hitting the over in two-thirds of their contests thanks to high pace and efficient scoring. Their strong interior numbers and elite rebounding create stacking advantages in neutral-site environments.

For enhanced game-by-game NCAAB line positioning, bettors can review the NCAAB odds board.

The Lean

LSU’s scoring ceiling and interior efficiency give them the edge in matchup projection models, especially with neutral-court depth advantages. DePaul’s defensive strides are real, but LSU’s combination of free-throw volume and rebounding suggests they can create separation in the final 10 minutes.

Projected score: LSU 90, DePaul 82. This supports LSU -6.0 as the spread lean. With both teams averaging a combined 173.9 points per game, and with LSU’s fast tempo often pulling opponents into higher-possession environments, the over 152 appears favorable. Bettors exploring further matchup analytics can visit the NCAAB previews page.

Why You Need Expert Picks

Neutral-site finals often produce unpredictable possession swings and market overreactions. Expert handicappers incorporate pace modeling, shot-quality projections, rotation matchups, and lineup volatility into their forecasts. The Handicappers Leaderboard at the college basketball picks hub provides transparency on top NCAAB performers who identify sharp-side edges before lines adjust.

High-scoring non-conference games amplify volatility, making expert guidance valuable for interpreting market gaps, tracking steam moves, and isolating matchup-driven totals plays. For expanded betting strategy support, bettors can explore the expert betting guide, which offers cross-league insights applicable to NCAAB wagering.

Projected Final Score: LSU Tigers 90, DePaul Blue Demons 82
Best Spread Pick: LSU -6.0
Total Lean: Over 152