Helena Frye
The DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball team has had a rich history in college basketball, with the program being considered a powerhouse under the legendary coach Ray Meyer in the 1970s and 1980s. During this period, the team made the Final Four in 1943 and 1979 and was ranked as high as No. 1 in the polls for two consecutive seasons. However, in recent years, the team has struggled to find success and has not made it to the NCAA March Madness tournament since the 2003-04 season. The team has also faced challenges in attracting top talent and has suffered frequent losses, leading to a decline in their performance. Despite these setbacks, the Blue Demons continue to strive for success and have shown promising signs under the leadership of new coaches and players.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Last NCAA tournament victory | 2004 |
| NCAA tournament record since 1991-92 season | 1-2 |
| Last postseason play | 2006-07 |
| Number of wins in 29 seasons since 1989-90 | 1 |
| Number of NCAA tournaments since 1991-92 season | 2 |
| Number of wins in 2021-22 college basketball season | 14 |
| Number of conference victories in 2021-22 season | 4 |
| Number of three-pointers in 2021-22 season | 309 |
| Assist rate in 2021-22 season | 60.2% |
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What You'll Learn
DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball team
The DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball team has a long history in intercollegiate basketball, dating back to 1908. The team competes in the Big East Conference, one of the toughest conferences in college basketball, and plays its home games at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
DePaul has experienced both highs and lows over the years. During the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, the Blue Demons were a powerhouse program under the leadership of legendary head coach Ray Meyer. They made the Final Four in 1943 and 1979, and in the following two seasons, they were ranked as high as No. 1 in the polls.
However, in recent decades, the team has struggled to find consistent success and has not qualified for the NCAA Tournament since the 2003-04 season. They have had several coaching changes, with Dave Leitao taking the reins twice, and have faced challenges in recruiting top talent from the Chicago area.
Despite these struggles, there have been recent signs of improvement. In the 2018-19 season, the Blue Demons finished with a 19-17 overall record and advanced to the championship game of the College Basketball Invitational (CBI). In 2025, under the leadership of Head Coach Chris Holtmann, the team was selected as an at-large team for the inaugural College Basketball Crown postseason tournament, marking their first postseason appearance in several years.
The Blue Demons continue to work towards a turnaround, aiming to recapture the glory of their past successes and compete at the highest level of intercollegiate basketball once again.
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NCAA tournament appearances
DePaul University's men's basketball team, the DePaul Blue Demons, has had a rich history in NCAA Tournament appearances, dating back to the program's early years.
Under the leadership of legendary head coach Ray Meyer, the Blue Demons established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During this period, the team made it to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament in 1979, a remarkable achievement. In the two subsequent seasons, the team continued its winning ways and was ranked as high as No. 1 in the polls.
However, the program's success in the NCAA Tournament began to wane after this illustrious period. Since the 1991-92 season, the Blue Demons have only managed a 1-2 record in the NCAA Tournament over the last 30 tournaments played. Their last NCAA tournament victory was back in 2004, and they haven't qualified since the 2003-04 season. This drought has sparked discussions about the program's decline, with some attributing it to poor coaching hires and challenges in recruiting top talent.
Despite the recent struggles, the Blue Demons have shown glimpses of a potential turnaround. In the 2018-19 season, they finished with an impressive 19-17 overall record and advanced to the championship game of the College Basketball Invitational (CBI), where they finished as runners-up.
In total, the DePaul Blue Demons have made 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, with their most successful run being the Final Four appearance in 1979 under the tutelage of Coach Ray Meyer. The team and the university hope to rekindle the success of those years and make a return to the NCAA Tournament in the coming seasons.
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Postseason play
DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball team has had a rich history of postseason play, dating back to the early days of the program. The team has experienced both successes and setbacks over the years, with notable appearances and droughts in their pursuit of basketball glory.
DePaul University's basketball team, the Blue Demons, has a long history in intercollegiate basketball, competing in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The team's first head coach, Robert L. Stevenson, guided them during the 1923-24 season, setting a foundation for the program.
One of the most illustrious periods in the team's history was under the guidance of head coach Ray Meyer. During his 42-year tenure from 1942 to 1984, Meyer led the Blue Demons to 21 post-season appearances, including 13 NCAA tournaments and eight National Invitation Tournaments (NIT). Meyer's achievements included a National Invitation Tournament championship in 1945, the school's only post-season title to date. The team also reached the Final Four of the NCAA tournament in 1943 and 1979, showcasing their prowess on the national stage.
However, in more recent times, the Blue Demons have faced challenges in maintaining their postseason success. The team last qualified for the NCAA Tournament during the 2003-04 season, marking a significant drought. They have struggled with losing records and difficulty attracting top recruits.
Despite the setbacks, there have been glimmers of hope for the Blue Demons. In the 2018-19 season, the team showed signs of a turnaround, finishing with an overall record of 19-17. Under head coach Dave Leitao, they advanced to the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) post-season tournament, where they finished as runners-up to the University of South Florida Bulls. This marked a step forward for the program, indicating a potential path back to postseason success.
In 2025, the Blue Demons were selected as an at-large team for the inaugural College Basketball Crown postseason tournament. This tournament, hosted by Fox Sports and AEG, presented an opportunity for the team to showcase their talents and compete against formidable opponents. With a mix of new players and a dedicated coaching staff, there is a sense of cautious optimism surrounding the program.
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Head coaches
DePaul University's basketball team, the Blue Demons, has had 16 head coaches in its 100-season history. The current head coach is Tony Stubblefield, who was hired in April 2021. Stubblefield replaced Dave Leitao, who was fired after the 2020-21 season. Leitao's first stint as head coach was from 2002 to 2005, during which his teams made the postseason in all three of his seasons. In his second season, Leitao's team advanced to the second round of the 2004 NCAA tournament—the last time DePaul won an NCAA tournament game. Leitao's teams also competed in the 2003 and 2005 NIT Tournaments.
Before Leitao, Jerry Wainwright was head coach from 2005 to 2010. Pat Kennedy was head coach from 1997 to 2002, and before him, Joey Meyer was head coach from 1984 to 1997. Meyer led the Blue Demons to NCAA tournament appearances in his first five seasons, including the Sweet 16 in 1985-86 and 1986-87. The team had three NCAA tournament appearances in the 1990s but never made it past the first round.
The legendary Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame head coach Ray Meyer, Joey Meyer's father, coached DePaul for 42 years from 1942 to 1984. Ray Meyer led his teams to 21 postseason appearances, including 13 NCAA tournaments and eight NIT tournaments. He led the Blue Demons to the Final Four in 1943 and 1979, and his teams were ranked No. 1 seed in its NCAA regional for three consecutive years from 1980 to 1982. In 1945, Ray Meyer coached the team to victory in the National Invitation Tournament, the school's only post-season title.
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Wintrust Arena
The arena features state-of-the-art amenities for the DePaul men's and women's basketball programs and their fans, including over 400 club seats and 22 suites. Season ticket packages for the DePaul Blue Demons start at $99 for Women's Basketball and $195 for Men's Basketball, with benefits including savings on single-game ticket rates, preferred parking rates, and discounts on DePaul apparel.
In addition to basketball games, Wintrust Arena hosts a variety of other events, including concerts, comedy shows, and special promotions. For example, the arena participated in the Alzheimer's Association's Light the World in Teal program to raise awareness and show support for those affected by Alzheimer's disease.
Upcoming events at Wintrust Arena include the DePaul Men's Basketball team taking on Providence and Duquesne, as well as the R&B Vibe Tour, the We Them One's Comedy Tour, and performances by Swedish House Mafia and Critical Role.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball team has been in the basketball playoffs. The team has made it to the NCAA March Madness tournament several times, most recently in the 2003-04 season.
The DePaul Blue Demons have made it to the NCAA tournament 13 times, with their last tournament victory being in 2004. The team has struggled in recent years, with a lack of talent and frequent losing.
Yes, the DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball team has made it to the Final Four twice, in 1943 and 1979. The team was also ranked as high as No. 1 in the polls in the two seasons following their 1979 appearance.
Yes, the DePaul Blue Demons won the 1945 National Invitation Tournament, the school's only post-season title. The team has also had some recent success, making it to the championship game of the College Basketball Invitational in the 2018-19 season.
