Northwestern has had little trouble with the early portion of its schedule.
Meanwhile, there might be reason for concern with DePaul’s play to open the season.
Looking to remain undefeated, the visiting Wildcats also aim to continue their recent dominance of the local rival Blue Demons on Friday night in Chicago.
Facing Mercyhurst, Boston University and Cleveland State — all at home — Northwestern (3-0) shot 50.6% and committed just 24 turnovers while winning by a combined average victory margin of 31.3 points. In addition, those opponents collectively shot 28.6% from 3-point range while averaging 54.0 points.
Presumably, that was the easy part for the Wildcats, who will be away from campus until Dec. 6.
“This was an important three-game stretch for us,” Northwestern coach Chris Collins said. “We now go on the road for five straight, so this was important to take care of business at home and get some momentum.”
Returning Wildcats star Nick Martinelli is averaging 19.3 points (shooting 58.8%) and 7.0 rebounds. Meanwhile, teammate Arrinten Page, on his third school in three seasons, averaged 14 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists through three games.
Martinelli totaled 39 points on 16-of-29 shooting while Northwestern beat DePaul each of the last two seasons.
Dating to December 2015, the Wildcats have won three straight and seven of the last eight meetings with DePaul (2-1). Northwestern’s run of success in the series has a good chance of continuing after the Blue Demons needed to squeak out an eight-point win over Stonehill last week, then lost 66-53 to Buffalo at home Tuesday.
DePaul shot a combined 35.4% in those last two contests, including 6-of-26 in the first half of the loss to Buffalo.
“We’ve got to get better in a lot of areas,” Blue Demons coach Chris Holtmann said.
“I’m confident we’ll do that.”
DePaul’s NJ Benson has averaged 14.3 points, 9.3 boards and 3.0 blocks this season, but his status for this matchup seems uncertain due to a wrist injury.
Teammate CJ Gunn averages a team-best 15.7 points. He had 10 points with four steals during DePaul’s 84-64 loss at Northwestern last season.