DePaul Basketball: Texas Tech win gives Blue Demons best start since ’87

Paul Reed and Jaylen Butz dominated the Texas Tech frontcourt

Paul Reed has been, for honestly a lack of a better term, a nightmare for opponents all season long and we saw the continue. In the win over Texas Tech, Reed grabbed seven rebounds (5 defensive rebounds), two blocks and two steals. He continues to look like a possible Big East Player of the Year, while also being a primary scoring option for his team.

Reed’s impressive stat line also included 18 points and an assist.

Reed’s energy throughout the game was central to DePaul forcing the Red Raiders to shoot 6.4% worse than their season average from the field. His incredible athleticism and wingspan make him the perfect rim protector, as evidenced by his particularly absurd 13% block rate. Reed has more than doubled his blocks per game from last season and also has looked solid as both a hedge and switch defender in the pick-and-roll. The Blue Demons don’t win this game without Reed’s contributions but he received great help in the paint from Jaylen Butz.

Butz was a force inside, finishing the night with 17 points (7-for-8 FG), seven rebounds, a block, and two steals. He made big plays down the stretch, including snagging the defensive rebound that ultimately led to the Coleman-Lands 3-pointer to send the game to OT.

I would be remiss not mention Butz struggles from the free throw line. He shot a terrible 3-for-11 from the charity stripe, with the flip side being that it’s never a bad thing to get the opposition’s starters into foul trouble.

Texas Tech knew they were going to be in for a “barfight” with a tough DePaul squad, especially without their star player. The duo of Butz and Reed came out with high-energy play and made sure to impose their will on the Red Raider frontcourt throughout this game. This Blue Demon squad is tough as nails, and their frontcourt is a big part of that identity.