NCAAB · Final

DePaul Blue Demons Defeat Xavier Musketeers 86-77

Saturday, January 3, 2026, 2:00 PM ET · Wintrust Arena

DePaul Blue Demons 86, Xavier Musketeers 77, 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 Xavier Musketeers vs DePaul Blue Demons?

DePaul Blue Demons beat Xavier Musketeers 86-77 at Wintrust Arena on January 3, 2026.

Who was favored in Xavier Musketeers vs DePaul Blue Demons?

DePaul Blue Demons were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -148 (about 60% implied). The favorite won.

In a compelling matchup at Wintrust Arena, the DePaul Blue Demons secured a victory against the Xavier Musketeers, finishing with a score of 86-77. This win marks a significant moment for DePaul, who had been struggling with a three-game losing streak prior to this game. With both teams entering the contest with identical records of 9-6, the stakes were high for both sides.

DePaul's recent form showed a mixed bag, with a record of 6-4 in their last ten games. However, they had been on a downward trend, losing their last three games. In those matches, they averaged 74.1 points scored while allowing 69.5 points. Their home record had been strong, with a 5-1 record at Wintrust Arena, but they struggled on the road with just one win in four attempts. In contrast, Xavier had a better recent record of 7-3 over their last ten games, but they were coming off a loss against UConn. The Musketeers averaged 79.6 points scored and allowed 75.2 points during this stretch, showcasing their offensive capabilities.

Historically, this fixture had been challenging for DePaul, as they had lost both previous meetings in the current season. In their earlier encounters, DePaul fell 63-77 at home and 68-85 away, highlighting their difficulties against Xavier. The Blue Demons were eager to turn the tide in this matchup, especially at home.

In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but the overall health of the teams could have played a role in the game's outcome. Conditions within the arena were typical for a basketball game, with no adverse weather factors affecting play.

The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had DePaul favored by 2.5 points, with a total set at 149.5. The odds indicated a competitive matchup, reflecting the close nature of the teams' records and recent performances.

As the game unfolded, DePaul managed to establish a lead, and crucial free throws in the second half helped maintain their advantage. RJ Smith, Isaiah Walker, and Malik Messina-Moore all contributed to the scoring from the free-throw line in the closing moments, solidifying the Blue Demons' lead and ultimately sealing the victory.

This win not only breaks DePaul's losing streak but also provides a much-needed boost in confidence as they move forward in the season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	DEP -2.5	149.5 o -112 / u -108	Xavier Musketeers +124 · DePaul Blue Demons -148

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsCJ Gunn22DePaul Blue Demons
AssistsRJ Smith5DePaul Blue Demons
ReboundsKaleb Banks7DePaul Blue Demons
PointsTre Carroll17Xavier Musketeers
AssistsTre Carroll4Xavier Musketeers
ReboundsFilip Borovicanin10Xavier Musketeers

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