The DePaul Blue Demons (14-14, 2-13 Big East) visit the Butler Bulldogs (19-9, 7-8) in a Saturday-evening (6:30 p.m. ET) Big East contest at Hinkle Fieldhouse. We analyze the DePaul-Butler odds and betting lines, with college basketball betting advice and tips around this matchup.
DePaul at Butler: Three things you need to know
1. DePaul is 1-9 over its last 10 games, and the Blue Demons have won just two Big East contests. DePaul’s last victory came against these Butler Bulldogs. As a four-point underdog hosting Butler on Jan. 18 – and having lost four straight going in – the Demons whipped the Bulldogs by 13 points. DePaul’s defense forced 17 turnovers in the game; on offense, the Demons went 10-for-17 from beyond the three-point arc and got to the free-throw line 32 times. On the Butler side, the game marked the middle of three straight defeats. The losses came amid troubles on both sides of the ball.
2. The Bulldogs play a slow pace, one of the slowest in the nation. And in an otherwise high-tempo Big East, the Butler style is a zag against the zig that DePaul sees on most nights. However, the Blue Demons have performed better than expected against the slow teams. Against teams in the bottom 40 percent in pace, DePaul is 7-1 against the spread. In those eight games, the over has gone 6-2, so its apparent the Demons are “winning” the pace if not the game.
3. DePaul has been torched from distance of late. Over their last four games, the Demons have witnessed foes going 47-for-95 (49.5 percent) on the extra-point 20-footers. For the season, DePaul has allowed a 32.5 percent figure, a mark which ranks 205th in the nation (about average). The Butler Bulldogs rank 253rd in the nation in attempts. Their 33.8 percent success rate ranks 160th.
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DePaul at Butler: Odds, betting lines and picks
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:20 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Butler 72, DePaul 63
Moneyline (ML)
AVOID THE JUICE-FILLED BUTLER -400/DePAUL +310 PROPOSITION.
Against the Spread (ATS)
There are crisscrossing trends here, but the Bulldogs are coming off five days or rest and have done well in such spots this season (4-1 ATS). They have a likable line and are worthy of a small-confidence play. TAKE BUTLER -7.5 (-121).
Over/Under (O/U)
There’s a lean on the UNDER 135.5 (-115) here, but its not actionable. Stand pat.
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