Butler Bulldogs Edge DePaul Blue Demons 87-80
Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 7:30 PM ET · Hinkle Fieldhouse
Butler Bulldogs 87, DePaul Blue Demons 80, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won DePaul Blue Demons vs Butler Bulldogs?
Butler Bulldogs beat DePaul Blue Demons 87-80 at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 20, 2026.
Who was favored in DePaul Blue Demons vs Butler Bulldogs?
Butler Bulldogs were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -325 (about 76% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup at Hinkle Fieldhouse, the Butler Bulldogs secured a narrow 87-80 victory over the DePaul Blue Demons. This win marked an important moment for Butler, who improved their home record to 13-7 while DePaul fell to 11-9 overall. The game showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with Butler's recent form indicating a slight upturn after a challenging stretch.
Butler entered the game with a record of 12-7, having gone 4-6 in their last ten games prior to this matchup. They had a recent victory against Seton Hall Pirates, winning 77-66 on January 17, 2026. However, the Bulldogs had struggled at times, averaging 77.7 points scored and allowing 78.9 points in their last ten games. Their home performance had been mixed, with a home record of 3-3 in their last six games.
On the other hand, DePaul came into the game with an 11-8 record and a stronger recent form, boasting a 6-4 record in their last ten games. They had just defeated the Marquette Golden Eagles 80-75 on January 17, 2026. The Blue Demons averaged 69.7 points scored and allowed 67.5 points during this stretch, indicating a solid defensive effort. However, their away record was less impressive, sitting at 1-4 in their last five away games.
The teams had met twice earlier in the 2025 season, with Butler winning both encounters. The first matchup took place on January 25, 2025, where Butler triumphed 86-69 at home, followed by a 84-72 victory in DePaul on February 23, 2025. This history added a layer of intensity to the game, as DePaul sought to break their losing streak against Butler.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but the performance of each team could have been impacted by player availability. The betting market had Butler favored by 7.5 points according to DraftKings, with a total set at 147.5. The odds reflected Butler's home advantage and their previous success against DePaul.
The conditions at Hinkle Fieldhouse were typical for a basketball game, with a lively atmosphere that often favors the home team. Fans were treated to a thrilling contest that saw both teams exchanging leads throughout the game. Butler's scoring was bolstered by key free throws in the closing moments, with Layden Blocker and Finley Bizjack contributing crucial points from the charity stripe.
As the game progressed, Butler maintained a slight edge, ultimately holding off DePaul's efforts to equalize. The final moments saw both teams trading baskets, but Butler's ability to convert free throws under pressure proved decisive. Layden Blocker made two free throws to bring DePaul to 76-83, but Butler responded with additional free throws from Bizjack and Robinson to seal the game.
Overall, the matchup between the Butler Bulldogs and DePaul Blue Demons provided a compelling display of college basketball, highlighting the competitive nature of the NCAAB league. Both teams showcased their strengths and weaknesses, setting the stage for future encounters as they continue their respective seasons.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | BTLR -7.5 | 147.5 o -115 / u -105 | DePaul Blue Demons +260 · Butler Bulldogs -325 |
Leaders
- PointsFinley Bizjack24Butler Bulldogs
- AssistsMichael Ajayi5Butler Bulldogs
- ReboundsMichael Ajayi8Butler Bulldogs
- PointsLayden Blocker20DePaul Blue Demons
- AssistsThéo Pierre-Justin3DePaul Blue Demons
- ReboundsNJ Benson6DePaul Blue Demons
Recent form
Butler Bulldogs
Last 10: 4-6Streak W177.7 scored · 78.9 allowed per game3-3 at home
- W77-66at Seton Hall PiratesJan 17
- L75-89at Xavier MusketeersJan 14
- L70-84vs St. John's Red StormJan 7
- L67-85vs Villanova WildcatsJan 3
- L85-89at Creighton BluejaysDec 31
- W101-52vs NJIT HighlandersDec 22
- W61-58vs Northwestern WildcatsDec 20
- L60-79at UConn HuskiesDec 17
- W113-110vs Providence FriarsDec 13
- L68-77vs Boise State BroncosDec 6
DePaul Blue Demons
Last 10: 6-4Streak W169.7 scored · 67.5 allowed per game1-3 away
- W80-75vs Marquette Golden EaglesJan 17
- L60-72at UConn HuskiesJan 10
- W56-50vs Georgetown HoyasJan 7
- W86-77vs Xavier MusketeersJan 3
- L66-71at Villanova WildcatsDec 31
- L54-72vs UConn HuskiesDec 21
- L66-79at St. John's Red StormDec 17
- W61-58at Wichita State ShockersDec 13
- W92-49vs Morgan State BearsDec 10
- W76-72vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden LionsDec 7
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. John's | 30-7 | - | 18-2 |
| UConn | 34-6 | 1 | 17-3 |
| Villanova | 24-9 | 3 | 15-5 |
| Seton Hall | 21-12 | 8 | 10-10 |
| Creighton | 16-18 | 9 | 9-11 |
| DePaul | 16-16 | 10 | 8-12 |
| Butler | 16-16 | 11 | 7-13 |
| Providence | 15-18 | 11 | 7-13 |
| Marquette | 12-20 | 11 | 7-13 |
| Georgetown | 16-18 | 12 | 6-14 |
| Xavier | 15-18 | 12 | 6-14 |
Box score
| Stat | DePaul Blue Demons | Butler Bulldogs |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 26-63 | 29-51 |
| Field goal % | 41 | 57 |
| Three-pointers | 10-33 | 8-17 |
| Three-point % | 30 | 47 |
| Free throws | 18-21 | 21-31 |
| Free throw % | 86 | 68 |
| Rebounds | 29 | 31 |
| Offensive rebounds | 11 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 18 | 23 |
| Assists | 14 | 18 |
| Steals | 8 | 7 |
| Blocks | 5 | 4 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 12 |
| Team turnovers | 3 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 13 | 15 |
| Fast-break points | 7 | 11 |
| Points in the paint | 26 | 34 |
| Fouls | 21 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 15 |
| Lead changes | 6 | 6 |
| Time in front | 51 | 47 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half47-57Finley Bizjack makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half49-57RJ Smith makes 7-foot jumper
- 2nd Half49-58Evan Haywood makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-59Evan Haywood makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-59Kaleb Banks makes layup
- 2nd Half51-62Evan Haywood makes 29-foot three point jumper (Yohan Traore assists)
- 2nd Half52-62Kaleb Banks makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-64Evan Haywood makes driving layup
- 2nd Half52-66Jamie Kaiser Jr. makes layup
- 2nd Half55-66Layden Blocker makes 29-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half55-68Azavier Robinson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half55-70Michael Ajayi makes 10-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half57-70Layden Blocker makes 1-foot jumper (Théo Pierre-Justin assists)
- 2nd Half58-70CJ Gunn makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-70CJ Gunn makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-70Brandon Maclin makes 9-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half61-73Finley Bizjack makes 24-foot three point jumper (Michael Ajayi assists)
- 2nd Half64-73Théo Pierre-Justin makes 29-foot three point jumper (RJ Smith assists)
- 2nd Half64-75Michael Ajayi makes 12-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half66-75Layden Blocker makes driving layup
- 2nd Half66-77Finley Bizjack makes driving layup
- 2nd Half66-78Azavier Robinson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-79Michael Ajayi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-79NJ Benson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-79NJ Benson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-81Michael Ajayi makes layup
- 2nd Half70-81NJ Benson makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half71-81Brandon Maclin makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half72-81Brandon Maclin makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-81Brandon Maclin makes layup
- 2nd Half74-82Drayton Jones makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-83Michael Ajayi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-83Layden Blocker makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-83Layden Blocker makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-84Finley Bizjack makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-85Finley Bizjack makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-85Layden Blocker makes driving layup
- 2nd Half78-86Azavier Robinson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-87Azavier Robinson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-87Layden Blocker makes driving layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Butler Bulldogs, below favours DePaul Blue Demons.
Venue
- Hinkle FieldhouseIndianapolis, IN
- Attendance6336
- OfficialsMike Roberts, Evon Burroughs, Tim Smith
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond