Last year, the DePaul men’s basketball team finished with a 8-12 record in conference play, and the women’s team finished 5-15. Some students are still looking forward to the upcoming season, despite frustrations regarding the program’s new athletics facility.

DePaul senior Alex Limarzi, from College Park, Maryland, is an avid DePaul basketball fan and says the program’s history was a major factor in his decision to attend DePaul.

“When I went to a DePaul-Marquette game during admitted students’ weekend, I was excited to join the passionate and enthusiastic student section,” Limarzi said.

Limarzi tries his best to make it to as many games as he can and follows the teams closely. Supporting both the men’s and women’s teams, he learned from his basketball-loving family to show up for the Blue Demons through thick and thin.

“I’m excited to see what the season has to offer, and I’ll be watching no matter what,” Limarzi said.

Limarzi sees the new athletics facility as a way for the team to succeed this year.

“Not only do I think a state-of-the-art facility will help the players, I think it will work to attract other potential players,” he said. 

However, he has complicated feelings toward the facility due to its location and the corresponding demolition of five campus buildings, some more than 100 years old, to make way for the new $42.4 million building.

This sentiment is shared by other students. Sophomore business administration major Anna Baroud agrees with the frustration over the location, and she questions its potential for success.

“I think it’s really awkward,” Baroud said. “I don’t know if one facility is going to make our program as good as they want it.”

Despite her concerns, Baroud is excited for the season to start. The culture surrounding DePaul basketball is one she finds herself connecting to, as a former high school athlete herself who still enjoys an occasional pickup game.

Baroud said she would rather see DePaul invest in players themselves rather than facilities, and thinks would help the overall success of the program.

“I think a big start is a good coaching program, a good team, just showing true investment in your players,” she said. “Start out with results, not just materializing things.”

Baroud wants to see the athletics program succeed as it creates a positive environment for those in the DePaul community. 

Similarly, DePaul junior Jacob Mendez, a member of the school’s pep band, is eager for the season to start. Because of his role, Mendez attends most games each season. However, the trumpet player shares concerns about the new athletics facility. 

“The placement of it was really interesting,” he said. “A facility can only do so much.”

Mendez hopes the facility will draw more recruits. He said games have become more fun to watch as each season progresses, and he encourages other students to go to more basketball games, specifically women’s games.

“A lot more people should pay more attention to the women’s team but there aren’t enough people who watch,” Mendez said. 

Mendez attributes DePaul’s success to the coaching staff and conditioning regimens, rather than just the facilities. When DePaul’s teams succeed, he said, the university benefits as well.

“I want to support the school. I care a lot about DePaul,” Mendez said.

Related stories:

• DePaul men’s basketball 2026-27 conference schedule released
• DePaul demolishes 5 buildings to make way for new athletic’s facility
• Former Blue Demon Max Stus hosts inaugural charity pickleball event

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