iStockphoto / © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The DePaul basketball team fell to Buffalo as heavy favorites at home on Tuesday. The crowd was non-existent in the surprise upset.
The arena was full of empty seats as fans failed to come out and support the Blue Demons. No one wanted to brave midweek Chicago traffic.
Both teams are in the early stages of their 2025-26 college basketball campaigns. Each entered with spotless 2-0 marks with hopes of staying perfect.
The Bulls emerged victorious in the trip to Illinois. The homecourt advantage was extremely lacking.
No one watched DePaul basketball lose.
Final Score presented by @RushMedical. pic.twitter.com/r7z2X9ZRAd
— DePaul Basketball (@DePaulHoops) November 12, 2025
The Blue Demons and Bulls tipped off at 7 PM local time. It was a Tuesday night matchup, making it difficult for fans to get to Wintrust Arena after work.
Chicago is notoriously one of worst areas to commute. Just last year, it tied New York as having the worst traffic congestion in the US. Commuters lost an average of 102 hours sitting in traffic in 2024, up 6% from the year prior.
Compounding the situation, snow showers were seen earlier that morning. Weather, too, might’ve impacted supporters’ desire to attend the game in-person.
Aside from a few snow showers/flurries Tuesday morning, dry conditions are expected through the rest of the week. Temperatures will also moderate through the week with highs forecast to be back in the 60s by Friday. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/Mg38Ng2uhu
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) November 10, 2025
An attendance of 2,818 was reported in the 10,000-seat venue. Empty seats littered the arena as the Blue Demons fell behind early.
McClure from three.
Blue Demons shooting 50 percent this half.
11:32 2H | DePaul 32, Buffalo 43 pic.twitter.com/C1BgrphQXJ
— DePaul Basketball (@DePaulHoops) November 12, 2025
DePaul found itself in an 18-point halftime hole. Second half attempts to overcome the deficit fell short.
The Bulls left with a resume building 66-53 victory. They cashed a paycheck in the process.
Buffalo was paid to beat the Blue Demons.
DePaul loses a buy game to Buffalo.
The epitome of brutality.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 12, 2025
The Bulls were paid to make the trip to Chicago. It was a game DePaul expected to win when assembling its 2025-26 schedule.
Specific details of the agreement are not public. It does not remove the home team from shame.
DePaul entered the matchup as an 18-point favorite. It was beaten by double digits. The Blue Demons shot 33% from the field while Buffalo forced 20 turnovers. Those that did show up to watch left dejected.
DePaul has been one of the worst programs in college basketball in the 21st Century. This latest loss will do nothing to improve that standing.