Notre Dame heads into Saturday's game against DePaul as perhaps the hottest team in the Big East -- they've won five games in a row. The winning streak, which includes three victories on the road and home wins over Syracuse and Marquette, has helped vault the Irish up the conference standings and into the NCAA tournament picture. The Blue Demons, on the other hand, are struggling in Oliver Purnell's second season, though they have already won more games this season than they did all of last year.
Related: Irish Win 5th in a Row: Survives in Morgantown 55-51
If the Irish can take care of the basketball -- which has been a strength of theirs all season -- against DePaul's pressure defense, they should have no trouble finding easy looks. DePaul's defense must force turnovers in order to be effective, as it's been dreadful in most other respects.
Date & Time: Saturday, Feb. 11, Noon ET
TV: Big East Network
Odds: Notre Dame is favored by 14 points
Series History: Notre Dame leads 57-44
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this matchup, check out Notre Dame blog One Foot Down as well as Big East Coast Bias. And for more news and notes from around college hoops, visit SB Nation's NCAA basketball news hub.