Is there any game in the Big East schedule that generates more trepidation than DePaul? No, not in terms of competition, but in terms of there being no really good outcome here. A win over the Blue Demons is the expectation, that win would have to approach a 35 point margin before even would even consider it something worth noting. A loss is, of course, the essential end of high seeding, momentum, and possibly the world. Ken Pomeroy has the chances of a Xavier win at 95%.
Of course, that overlooks the fact that DePaul’s 1-9 in the Big East (they’ve only beaten Providence and Great Coach Ed Cooley) has come in some really close games.