DePaul opens its 2026-27 women’s basketball season Tuesday against Evansville at Wintrust Arena, beginning year two under coach Jill M. Pizzotti with a revamped roster. Fifth-year guard Kate Clarke is back after missing last season with an injury, while newcomers Zoey Ward and Mikaia Litza stood out in DePaul’s preseason exhibition win over UIC. Evansville, coming off a 10-25 season, also has a new coach and a largely rebuilt lineup.

By the Numbers
  • Tuesday’s game tips off at 6 p.m. CT and streams on ESPN+.
  • DePaul went 8-24 last season; Evansville finished 10-25.
  • DePaul leads the all-time series 6-0. The teams last met 40 years ago.
  • DePaul is 40-12 in season openers and 6-1 in openers at Wintrust Arena.
  • Against UIC, Ward scored 19 points and Litza recorded a game-high nine assists in DePaul’s 72-66 exhibition win.
Yes, But

DePaul’s exhibition performance offered promising signs, but it came in a preseason game, and the team returns only three active players from last season. Evansville also has significant roster turnover, though its late run to the Missouri Valley Conference tournament final showed it can build momentum.

What’s Next

DePaul hosts Purdue Fort Wayne at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, in the second game of its three-game opening week. The matchup will be a Field Trip Day, with thousands of local schoolchildren expected to attend; ESPN+ will carry the game.

Bottom Line

Tuesday is an early test of how quickly DePaul’s returners and eight newcomers can come together. The Blue Demons have a strong historical edge over Evansville, but a new season will depend on turning preseason promise into on-court consistency.