BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: DePaul @ Cincinnati

January 4, 2006


Tipping off their Conference USA schedule tonight is DePaul and Cincinnati when they, oh wait, this is 2006...let me start again...DePaul travels to Cincinnati for each team's first conference game as a member of the "New" Big East. Cincinnati enters the game on a roll, winning their last 8 games. DePaul is also playing well of late, winning 4 of 5, including wins over Wake Forest, Dayton and Cal away from home.

The Pomeroy Rankings have Cincinnati winning this game by 11 on their home floor. Both teams enter conference play with strong RPI ratings (Cincinnati #15 and DePaul #21).

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Cincinnati is not very deep, but they are talented and experienced. They are likely to use just 8 players, five of which are seniors, and have little depth up front. However, like I said, they are talented, led by seniors James White and Eric Hicks. White, who has been an enigma over his career, seems to be putting all his talent together for his senior season. White is shooting 52% from the floor, 44% from 3-pt range and 89% from the line and it all adds up to an 18 PPG average and he chips in 5.4 rebounds a game. Hicks is a work horse inside that DePaul might have some trouble with, averaged 14 PPG and 8 rebounds. Devan Downey has taken the reings of the Bearcats and averages nearly 15 PPG and leads the team with 4.2 assists a game. He also makes 85% of his free throws, as a team, Cincinnati shoots 79% from the line. That will make a difference in many games. Rounding out the probable starting line-up for Cincinnati is senior Armien Kirkland (9.6 PPG) and JUCO Cedric McGowan (8.8 PPG and 6.5 rebounds). Coming off the bench is senior Chadd Moore and junior Ronald Allen along with Jihad Muhhammad (8 PPG) who provides energy and an offensive spark.

The Blue Demons have shown they can win on the road and do it against quality teams. They beat Wake Forest in Winston-Salem with starting SF Karron Clarke earlier this season. They are led by strong 6'5 guard Sammy Mejia. The junior leads the team with 15.7 PPG and 2.5 assists. He has one of the best mid-range games in the country and his match-up with James White (likely defensive assignment for White) is one I highly anticipate. Jabarie Currie and Cliff Clinkscales have been manning the PG position. Currie has more of an offensive game going for him (8 PPG), but his negative assist to turnover ratio needs improvement. Clinkscales is not much of an offensive threat, but does handle the ball very well, but needs to slow down at times. The inconsistent play at the point could be of concern in the Big East. Providing a big lift for the Blue Demons, especially over their last 5 games, has been Draelon Burns, who seems to hit key shots when they need them. He averages 10 PPG. Karron Clarke has shaken off an ankle injury and also contributes 10 PPG and 5 rebounds and has the athletic ability to run with the Bearcats. Freshmen Wilson Chandler has also lived up to his billing, leading the Blue Demons with 7.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks a game to go with his 7.2 a game scoring average. Senior Marlon Brumfield is still a defensive presence inside and Marcus Heard and Lorenzo Thompson round out the expected rotation tonight, which will be short Wesley Green, due to injury and it is unlikely Rashod Woods will make the trip, the frosh has seen very little time to this point.

It is going to be very interesting at which speed the game is played. DePaul would probably like to keep the game in the 60's while Cincinnati would like to get the game into the 80's and use their athletic ability to break this game open. Controlling tempo on the road in a conference game is very difficult and, with each team a little thin right now, I think the home team has their way.

NBE Blogger Prediction:

Cincinnati 75
DePaul 66

Please leave your game prediction in the comments section!

Here are some other game preview articles:

Cincinnai Enquirer
Cincinnati Post
Chicago Trib Looks at DePaul's Move to Big East
Aurora Beacon News