Northwestern Takes on DePaul in First Meeting Since 2019

Saturday, December 17

Evanston, Ill.

1 p.m. CT

Northwestern

DePaul

Tickets

Matthew Nicholson post up a shot in the post at Michigan State.

Photo by: Ryan Kuttler / NUSports.com

Northwestern Takes on DePaul in First Meeting Since 2019

12/16/2022 12:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball

NORTHWESTERN MEN'S BASKETBALL: GAME INFORMATION
DATE	Opponent	TIME	LOCATION	Watch	Live Stats
Saturday, Dec. 17	DePaul	1 p.m. CT	Welsh-Ryan Arena Evanston, Ill.	BTN	Live Stats
Radio: AM 720 WGN Social: Twitter: @NUMensbball \| Instagram: @numensbball \| Digital Program

EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern faces crosstown rival DePaul for the first time since 2019 as it welcomes the Blue Demons to Welsh-Ryan Arena at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday, December 17. Cory Provus (play-by-play) and Stephen Bardo (analyst) will have the call on BTN, while Dave Eanet (play-by-play) and Billy McKinney (analyst) will describe the action on AM 720 WGN.

The Wildcats (7-2) will debut their "Chicago's Own" By the Players uniform for the game, which was released to the public via social media on Tuesday. NU will also wear the uniforms for home games on Jan. 4 against Illinois and March 1 against Penn State.

Northwestern won its second game in a row by defeating Prairie View A&M 61-51 on Sunday afternoon (Dec. 11). Robbie Beran led the way for the 'Cats by tying his career-high of 20 points and pulling down a career-best 12 rebounds. He logged his second career double-double and first since Jan. 11, 2020, against Nebraska. Boo Buie posted 12 points and a season-high seven assists. Chase Audige stuffed the stat sheet with 11 points and became the first player at Northwestern to have 5+ rebounds, 3+ steals, 3+ blocks and 3+ assists in a game since John Shurna on Feb. 18, 2012, against Minnesota. Audige is the only player in the country averaging at least 12 points, three assists, two steals and one block per game.

The Panthers had their largest lead of seven points at the 4:43 mark of the first half, but Northwestern limited PVAMU to 22 second half points and closed the game's final 10 minutes on a 19-4 run.

Northwestern has leaned on its defense early in the season and ranks seventh nationally and second in the Big Ten, holding opponents to an average of 56.8 points per game. Opponents are shooting just 34.6%, the fourth-lowest mark in the country. NU is also 25th nationally blocking 5.4 shots per game, led by Matthew Nicholson's 1.4 rejections per game.

Buie leads the team averaging 13.6 points per game, while Beran is grabbing a team-high 7.2 rebounds per game.

The 'Cats are playing the second game of a six-game homestand and are on their longest homestand since 2002-03. NU had a seven-game homestand during the 2002-03 season and went 5-2 over that span.

DePaul leads the all-time series between the two schools 21-14, but Northwestern has won four of the last five meetings. Head coach Chris Collins is 4-2 against the Blue Demons. The 'Cats have won six of their last seven home games against DePaul and last fell inside Welsh-Ryan Arena in 2013. NU is 55-57 against the current alignment of the BIG EAST.

The Blue Demons (6-5) will play their fourth road game in their last five contests on Saturday afternoon. They fell 66-55 on Wednesday (Dec. 14) at Duquesne, with Javan Johnson scoring a game-high 19 points. Johnson, a transfer from Iowa State, leads the team averaging 18.2 points per game.

Additionally, Saturday's game is also Evanston Day, where discounted tickets will be available to all City of Evanston residents, and community leaders will be recognized during the game.

Northwestern continues its long homestand at 8 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Dec. 20 against UIC.