DePaul enters its November 23 home matchup against Detroit Mercy with a clear opportunity to reinforce its identity, assert its structural advantages, and demonstrate the program’s ongoing growth by dictating pace, controlling the glass, and limiting the types of chaotic sequences that allow underdogs to linger. The Blue Demons must begin by establishing offensive rhythm built on strong ball movement, purposeful interior touches, and decisive execution in early-clock actions designed to force Detroit Mercy’s defense into rotations rather than allowing them to sit comfortably in set positions. Playing at home gives DePaul the luxury of leaning into its preferred pace—measured, disciplined, and possession-focused—rather than engaging in a track meet that might benefit Detroit Mercy’s effort-based style. To maintain this control, DePaul must treat every rebound as a foundational possession, especially defensive boards, which not only erase the Titans’ hopes of generating second-chance points but also enable the Blue Demons to initiate clean offensive sets without scrambling. The importance of winning the rebounding battle cannot be overstated; Detroit Mercy has historically struggled with margin deficits, but they often remain competitive for stretches when able to crash the offensive glass and force opponents into extended possessions. DePaul must counteract that by boxing out consistently, committing to five-man rebounding, and eliminating the Titans’ attempts to create momentum through extra-effort plays. Offensively, the Blue Demons should attack the paint with confidence—using ball screens, post entries, and strong drives to collapse the defense before kicking out to open shooters who can punish Detroit Mercy’s tendency to overhelp.

In doing so, DePaul forces the Titans into rotational decisions they have often struggled to navigate, creating scoring windows through both movement and patience rather than forcing contested attempts. Defensively, DePaul must remain composed and balanced, protecting the paint with layered coverage rather than overcommitting to pressure that could create driving lanes for Detroit Mercy’s guards. The Blue Demons need to focus on transition discipline; even one or two careless possessions that lead to fast-break points can give an underdog the emotional lift needed to stay competitive far longer than expected. Preventing such situations requires sprinting back on every miss, communicating early, and eliminating mismatches before Detroit Mercy can exploit them. Depth also plays an essential role, as DePaul’s second unit must maintain defensive cohesion, offensive spacing, and rebounding standards without allowing Detroit Mercy’s bench to create unexpected scoring bursts or energy shifts. Emotionally, the Blue Demons must guard against complacency—home games against rebuilding opponents are dangerous only when the favored team assumes the result instead of earning it through attention to detail. By emphasizing discipline, valuing each possession, and refusing to let Detroit Mercy generate confidence through hustle categories, DePaul can ensure that the matchup unfolds on its terms. If the Blue Demons dominate the glass, avoid turnovers, maintain offensive structure, and defend transitions with commitment, they should be positioned to control this game from the opening tip to the final buzzer, reinforcing their upward trajectory and strengthening their foundation as the season progresses.