MBB Minute – DePaul Takes Road Win at Iowa in Gavitt Tipoff Games Opener
Playing on the road in the first matchup of the Gavitt Tipoff Games did not faze the young DePaul Blue Demons. They began their game at Iowa with all five starters scoring in the first three minutes. The Blue Demons streaked to a 13-0 lead, then 19-2, 35-13 and 53-33 by halftime. At the final buzzer, DePaul won 93-78.
BIG EAST teams are a combined 19-0 for the season. DePaul is 4-0 for the first time since 2008-09.
Paul Reed finished with game highs of 25 points, 12 rebounds and four steals. Jalen Coleman-Lands added 17 points. The Blue Demons shot 61.7 percent from the field.
The Gavitt Tipoff Games continue on Tuesday with a doubleheader on FS1 with Creighton visiting Michigan at 6:30 p.m. ET followed by Minnesota at Butler at 8:30 p.m. In two other contests that both tip at 7 p.m., No. 21 Xavier hosts Missouri on CBS Spots Network and St. John’s meets New Hampshire at Carnesecca Arena on FS2.
Creighton takes a 1-0 record into Ann Arbor. The Bluejays have started at least 2-0 in all of coach Greg McDermott’s nine previous seasons with the Bluejays. Creighton is 13-3 in its last 16 games against Big Ten competition.
Butler is 2-0 while dealing with a shorthanded roster. The Bulldogs are coming off a 79-53 victory over Southland Conference favorite New Orleans. Butler has won 52 in a row at Hinkle Fieldhouse against non-conference opponents, which is the second longest streak in the nation.
Xavier has enjoyed plenty of recent success against SEC teams. The Musketeers (2-0) are 19-7 in their last 26 games against nine different current SEC members. Naji Marshall and Tyrique Jones are both averaging 18.5 points per game.
St. John’s will be aiming for a 3-0 start after a pair of 30-point victories. Mustapha Heron is averaging 27.5 points, which ranks second in the BIG EAST.