West Georgia Wolves vs DePaul Blue Demons prediction: DePaul's transfer haul debuts as 24.5-point favorite over gutted West Georgia
Both rosters were rebuilt, but DePaul imported proven scorers while West Georgia lost nearly everyone who carried it last season.
| Spread | DePaul -25 |
|---|---|
| Total (over/under) | 143 |
- DePaul's new guards should control a slow game, with West Georgia's mostly new rotation searching for a go-to scorer all night.
- Kahmare Holmes, a 19.5-point scorer at Wofford last season, against a West Georgia backcourt still sorting out roles.
- DePaul is -24.5 after our feed first saw -23.0; West Georgia returns just 18.9% of last season's minutes.
Two rebuilds, unequal parts
Both teams open the season with mostly new faces. The difference is what each program bought with its turnover.
West Georgia returns 18.9% of last season's minutes and 14.0% of its points. The headline loss is Shelton Williams-Dryden, who averaged 20.7 points a night and started all 32 games. Josh Smith, the Wolves' other primary scorer, is now at Duquesne. Kolten Griffin and Malcolm Noel, two more starters, are also off the roster. That makes last season's 15-17 team a weak guide to this one.
DePaul returns a bit more, 34.7% of its minutes, and Chris Holtmann used his third offseason to land a nationally ranked transfer class. The Blue Demons were picked eighth in the Big East coaches' poll, their highest preseason slot since 2015-16. Layden Blocker, the leading returning scorer, made the preseason All-Big East third team.
Where DePaul's points come from
The imports give DePaul something it lacked last season: shooting. Ade Popoola made 40.9% of his threes at Tulsa, on 242 attempts. Koree Cotton hit 40.3% from deep at UT Rio Grande Valley. Holmes brings volume and efficiency together after carrying Wofford's offense.
The exhibitions offered a mixed early look. DePaul beat Loyola Chicago 72-65 on Oct. 18 behind hot shooting, with Popoola hitting several threes in his debut. Five days later it lost 71-63 to Notre Dame, with returning center Fabián Flores scoring 14.
West Georgia's offense has fewer known answers. Chas Lewless averaged 12.8 points over 10 games last season before an injury, and his status for the opener was unconfirmed as of Nov. 1. Without him, the scoring load falls on newcomers such as Justin Redmond from Northwestern State.
Pressure and pace
Last season's profiles point toward a game played on DePaul's terms. The Blue Demons forced turnovers on 19.5% of opponent possessions, 54th nationally, and finished 44th in adjusted defensive efficiency (points allowed per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponents). West Georgia ranked 308th in adjusted offense.
The tempo contrast is sharp. DePaul played at 65 possessions per 40 minutes, 306th in the country, while West Georgia ran at 70.3, 61st. A rebuilt Wolves backcourt facing a pressuring defense in a slower game is a tough way to generate shots. A new DePaul roster may not play exactly as last season's did, but Holtmann's staff is the same.
West Georgia's best counter is at the rim. The Wolves blocked 13.0% of opponent two-point tries last season, 27th nationally, and Kenneth Chime, who swatted 1.6 a game, is back. DePaul adds its own rim protector in transfer Magoon Gwath.
Availability and the number
DePaul has one unnamed player who did not appear in any scrimmage or exhibition; his coach said he is "making progress" and is needed back. Holtmann's staff hasn't said whether he plays.
The market has moved toward the Blue Demons. DePaul sits at -24.5 across eight books, up from -23.0 when our feed first logged the game. The total has barely budged, from 145.5 to 145.0, which fits the tempo question: a fast West Georgia team against a deliberate DePaul one, with no head-to-head history to lean on.
What to watch: - Whether Lewless suits up for West Georgia. - Popoola's and Cotton's three-point volume early. - West Georgia's turnover count against DePaul's pressure.
West Georgia Wolves vs DePaul Blue Demons line movement and odds
| Book | Wolves ML | Demons ML | Wolves spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | +2800 | -10000 | +25.5 (-105) | o143.5 (-105) |
| BetRivers | — | — | +26.5 (-117) | o143.5 (-115) |
| DraftKings | +3500 | -20000 | +25.5 (-108) | o142.5 (-115) |
| ESPN BET | — | — | +25.5 (-110) | o142.5 (-115) |
| Fanatics | +4000 | -12000 | +25.5 (-110) | o143 (-110) |
| FanDuel | +3500 | -20000 | +25.5 (-110) | o143.5 (-108) |
| Hard Rock Bet | — | — | +26.5 (-115) | o143.5 (-115) |
Where the money is on West Georgia Wolves vs DePaul Blue Demons
On the Kalshi moneyline: West Georgia Wolves: 59% of bets, 2% of the money; DePaul Blue Demons: 41% of bets, 99% of the money. On the Kalshi spread: DePaul Blue Demons -25.5: 100% of bets, 100% of the money; West Georgia Wolves +25.5: 0% of bets, 0% of the money. On the Kalshi total: Over 142.5: 100% of bets, 100% of the money; Under 142.5: 0% of bets, 0% of the money.
West Georgia Wolves vs DePaul Blue Demons stats (this season)
| Stat | West Georgia Wolves | DePaul Blue Demons |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Adjusted offensive efficiency | 101.0 (308th of 365) | 107.8 (191st of 365) |
| Adjusted defensive efficiency | 113.9 (267th of 365) | 100.8 (44th of 365) |
| Adjusted net efficiency | -12.9 (303rd of 365) | 7.0 (101st of 365) |
Key players
- Kahmare Holmes (DePaul): Averaged 19.5 points with a 54.6% effective field goal percentage at Wofford last season.
- Ade Popoola (DePaul): Made 99 threes at a 40.9% clip for Tulsa last season.
- Layden Blocker (DePaul): Preseason All-Big East third-teamer who averaged 11.1 points and 3.5 assists last season.
- Koree Cotton (DePaul): Scored 13.9 points a game and shot 40.3% from three last season.
- Kenneth Chime (West Georgia): Blocked 1.6 shots a game in 20.3 minutes last season.
- Chas Lewless (West Georgia): Averaged 12.8 points over 10 games last season before an injury; his status is unconfirmed.
- Justin Redmond (West Georgia): Averaged 6.9 points and shot 85.3% at the line last season.
- Lou Hutchinson (West Georgia): Shot 36.1% from three last season.
Numbers that matter
| West Georgia returning minutes | 18.9% | Almost all of last season's production is gone, including a 20.7-point scorer. |
|---|---|---|
| Spread movement | -24.5 | DePaul's number has grown from -23.0 when our feed first logged the game. |
| DePaul forced turnover rate (last season) | 19.5% | Ranked 54th nationally, a pressure test for a rebuilt Wolves backcourt. |
| Pace gap (last season) | 306th | DePaul's slow tempo rank against West Georgia's 61st shapes the 145.0 total. |
| West Georgia block rate (last season) | 13.0% | 27th nationally, the Wolves' best defensive weapon. |
West Georgia Wolves vs DePaul Blue Demons: quick answers
Who is favored in West Georgia Wolves vs DePaul Blue Demons?
DePaul is favored by 25 points (DePaul -25).
What is the over/under for West Georgia Wolves vs DePaul Blue Demons?
The total is 143 points.
When is West Georgia Wolves vs DePaul Blue Demons?
Monday, November 2, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET.
Where is West Georgia Wolves vs DePaul Blue Demons played?
Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL.
Has the line moved for West Georgia Wolves vs DePaul Blue Demons?
Yes: West Georgia Wolves opened +23 and is now +25.5, and the total moved from 146 to 143.5 (consensus of the regulated US sportsbooks since we first saw the game).
Where is the money on West Georgia Wolves vs DePaul Blue Demons?
On the Kalshi moneyline: West Georgia Wolves: 59% of bets, 2% of the money; DePaul Blue Demons: 41% of bets, 99% of the money. On the Kalshi spread: DePaul Blue Demons -25.5: 100% of bets, 100% of the money; West Georgia Wolves +25.5: 0% of bets, 0% of the money. On the Kalshi total: Over 142.5: 100% of bets, 100% of the money; Under 142.5: 0% of bets, 0% of the money.