DePaul @ Boston College preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 22, 2018 ) Boston College 65, DePaul 62

DePaul is off to its best start in 33 years and will try to remain unbeaten Saturday when it visits Boston College. The Blue Demons followed up an impressive 93-78 victory at Iowa with a 75-54 victory over Cornell at home last Saturday to improve to 5-0 for the first time since the 1986-87 squad opened 16-0.

Keeping the run going would also involve a measure of revenge against the Eagles, who claimed a 65-52 win at DePaul last season, although Blue Demons coach Dave Leitao doesn't think that matchup has any bearing on this one. "We are completely different, they are completely different," Leitao told reporters of Boston College. "We were heavy on the three seniors, they had [Ky] Bowman and other guys. ... So, it will be a really good test but it will be different from last year because the personnel on both teams is completely different." The Eagles are coming off a 72-68 win over Eastern Washington on Wednesday as they continue a five-game stay at Conte Forum. Freshman guard Jay Heath led the way in Wednesday's win with 17 points, eight rebounds and three steals.

TV: Noon ET, No TV

ABOUT DEPAUL (5-0): Junior forward Paul Reed had 18 points and 12 rebounds in the win over Cornell and he leads the Blue Demons in scoring (15.4) and rebounding (10.6). Junior guard Charlie Moore has been held to eight points in each of his last two games after averaging 19.3 through the first three contests. Devin Gage, also a junior, has 10 steals in four games and is 10-for-12 from the floor over the last two.

ABOUT BOSTON COLLEGE (4-1): Senior forward Nik Popovic snagged a key offensive rebound and was fouled in the closing seconds against Eastern Washington before making the free throws to seal the win. "It's just maturity because of the way he approaches it," coach Jim Christian told reporters of Popovic, who also became the 45th player in program history to reach 1,000 career points. "You come and practice hard and it carries into the game. That's why he's been consistent, that's why he's gained more confidence. It's all in the approach." Popovic (14.8) ranks second on the team in scoring behind senior guard Derryck Thornton (16.2), who also leads the way with 4.6 assists.

TIP-INS

1. Heath was 5-of-7 from beyond the arc Wednesday and he's 9-of-18 on the season.

2. Blue Demons freshman F Romeo Weems is averaging nine points, seven rebounds and 4.5 assists over the last two games.

3. Popovic scored 19 points in last season's win at DePaul.

PREDICTION: DePaul 80, Boston College 77