DePaul Blue Demons - Grade: A
- 2025-26 record: 16-16 (8-12)
Roster departures
- CJ Gunn (13.1 ppg and 3.7 rpg)
- NJ Benson (11.7 ppg and 7.6 rpg)
- Brandon Maclin (10.5 ppg and 4.5 rpg)
- RJ Smith (6.6 ppg and 2.4 apg)
- Kaleb Banks (5.6 ppg and 2.5 rpg)
Roster returnees
- Layden Blocker (11.1 ppg and 3.5 apg)
- Kruz McClure (5.0 ppg and 1.5 apg)
- Theo Pierre-Justin (4.0 ppg and 2.6 rpg)
- Fabian Flores (2.9 ppg and 2.9 rpg)
- Amsal Delalic (3.8 ppg and 2.0 rpg at Pitt in 2024-25)
Roster additions
- Koree Cotton (13.9 ppg and 5.3 rpg at Texas-Rio Grande Valley)
- Noah Meeusen (5.9 ppg and 2.6 apg at Arizona State)
- Kahmere Holmes (19.5 ppg and 5.7 rpg at Wofford)
- Ade Popoola (10.8 ppg and 4.2 rpg at Tulsa)
- Magoon Gwath (8.9 ppg and 4.3 rpg at San Diego State)
- Wilson Jacques (8.8 ppg and 8.8 rpg at Fresno State)
Admittedly, DePaul is being graded on a curve, given its low history. The first notable thing was how many eligible players elected to stay, which is rare for the program. Blocker has the potential to be a lead guard in the conference, while guys such as McClure, Pierre-Justin, and Delalic could all be breakout candidates.
The Blue Demons also did well in the portal. Cotton and Holmes are key names that other teams were after and should have a large role. They also landed Gwath and Jacques, two capable big men who’ll give them 40 good minutes of production at the center position.
Do these moves set DePaul up for its first NCAA Tournament bid since 2004 and its first as a Big East member? It isn’t a guarantee. But these moves have them closer than ever, and that’s why they should get a very high grade.
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