DePaul’s 3-Point Revolution: Blue Demons Aim to Extend Hot Streak Against Mercer Bears
As a sports reporter covering tonight’s highly anticipated NCAA basketball matchup, I can tell you that something extraordinary is brewing at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
The DePaul Blue Demons (2-0) are showing signs of a remarkable transformation under first-year coach Chris Holtmann, and they’ll put their perfect record on the line against the Mercer Bears (1-0) tonight at 9 p.m. ET.
The story of this young season has been DePaul’s stunning turnaround from last year’s disappointing 3-29 record. The Blue Demons have already achieved two victories and are on the verge of matching their entire win total from the previous season. But it’s not just that they’re winning—it’s how they’re doing it.
The 3-Point Revolution Coach Holtmann has brought a fast-paced, three-point-heavy style that’s turning heads across college basketball. The numbers tell a compelling story: DePaul has already drained 25 three-pointers in just two games, shooting an impressive 70 attempts from beyond the arc. To put this in perspective, the team only managed to hit 10 or more three-pointers twice during the entire previous season.
Isaiah Rivera, a UIC transfer, has been leading the charge with remarkable efficiency, hitting 8 of 16 three-point attempts while averaging 21 points per game. Former Coastal Carolina standout Jacob Meyer, who’s contributing 18 points per game and has already knocked down 5 three-pointers of his own, has complemented his shooting touch.
“We have a lot of shooters,” says JJ Traynor, who added 11 points in their recent victory. “I want to say everybody on our team can shoot the ball. We want to play fast and take the best shot. Sometimes that’s the third.”
The Blue Demons’ new offensive identity was on full display in their first two victories—an 80-78 overtime thriller against Southern Indiana (featuring 14 three-pointers) and a commanding 92-59 win over Prairie View A&M (with 11 more from downtown).
Tonight’s Challenge Mercer enters this contest fresh off a dominant 125-54 victory over Virginia-Lynchburg, where they showed their own three-point prowess by hitting 13 of 30 attempts. Tyler Johnson caught fire with four three-pointers, while Angel Montas Jr. led all scorers with 18 points.
The Bears’ first-year coach, Ryan Ridder, has his team playing with confidence, but they’ll face their first real test on the road tonight. Las Vegas oddsmakers have installed DePaul as an 8-point favorite, though Mercer has proven profitable as an underdog, with bettors who backed them in every game last season earning a hefty $721.62 return on $100 bets.
What to Watch The game tonight is expected to showcase a captivating clash of styles between two teams that aren’t hesitant to unleash their offensive power. While DePaul’s early-season success has raised eyebrows, Mercer’s defensive capabilities—they held Virginia-Lynchburg to just 5-of-16 from three-point range—could pose problems for the Blue Demons’ shoot-first approach.
Fans can catch this intriguing matchup on Fox Sports 2, with tickets still available starting at just $1.50. For those who can’t make it to Wintrust Arena, the game will also be available for streaming on FuboTV.
In what marks the first-ever meeting between these programs, both teams are looking to prove that their early-season success is no fluke. Will DePaul’s three-point barrage continue, or will Mercer’s defense cool off the hot-shooting Blue Demons? We’ll find out tonight in what promises to be an entertaining showdown in the Windy City.