BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: NOTRE DAME @ DEPAUL

December 31, 2008


DePaul looks to put the memory of another poor pre-conference performance behind them as they get new life with the start of the Big East schedule. Unfortunately for the Blue Demons, they open conference play against a strong Notre Dame club at Allstate Arena on New Year's Eve.

Here are some pregame stories found on the web:

No. 7 Notre Dame ready to Start Big East Play (Chicago Tribune)
Notre Dame's Harangody No Longer Affected by pressure (Chicago Tribune)

Notre Dame, despite two losses, has remained in the Top 10 during the pre-conference schedule and is set to open Big East play on the road against their nearest neighbor in the Big East, DePaul. While many Blue Demon fans will likely skip out on the game to go begin the New Year's festivities, expect a large contingent of Irish fans spending the New Year in Chicago and begin the partying watching their hoops team.

DePaul's mission in this out of conference schedule was to avoid the embarrassing losses that have plagued them the previously few years. While losing in California to Cal and UCLA is nothing to be ashamed of, their home loss to Morgan State was just an example of what they hoped to avoid. They were also blown out, 63-36, by Northwestern and lost in Vegas to Creighton. While they have got to see much of the country, five losses before the Big East schedule is going to leave a mark.

The Irish will look to establish the reigning Big East Player of the Year Luke Harangody inside against the thin DePaul frontcourt. Once help arrives, look for the balanced ND attack to heat up from the outside with Kyle McAlarney and Ryan Ayers spotting up for their shots. The man running the show, Tory Jackson, will likely rack up the assists in this one.

Looking over the NCAA Basketball Odds, the Irish are listed at 7 1/2 point favorites. What the Irish do well is score...something DePaul struggles to do...not a good match-up for the home team, and to make matters worse, it might not even feel like much of a home game with a large contingent of ND fans converging on the Windy City for New Year's

Prediction:

Notre Dame 77
DePaul 65

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DEPAUL SPRING SIGNING REVIEW

November 29, 2008



With two signings earlier this month of Mike Stovall and Tony Freeland to letters of intent, DePaul has one scholarship open for the 2009 class.

One player that Blue Demon coach Jerry Wainwright has been seen following early this high school season has been Chicago Marshall guard Darius Smith, who is quickly rising up the charts of available players in the country.

With just one junior on the current roster, DePaul is limited again for the 2010 recruiting class, so the expectation is they will make sure whomever they add in the spring of 2009 will have to fill an immediate need with a chance to be a quick contributor. Smith would fill that definition.

Now the question arises if Jerry Wainwright will be the one signing players this spring. That is a subject for another post...but, if I were a College basketball betting man, I might be tempted to bet against coach Wainwright at this point.

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DEPAUL SIGNING REVIEW

November 20, 2008



While Jerry Wainwright's tenure as coach of the DePaul Blue Demons is somewhat murky, recruiting must continue and DePaul added a pair of signings in college basketball's early signing period.


Much like St. John's of NYC, DePaul is located in a basketball hotbed of top prospects in the Chicago area. Finding a way to get the top prospects of the Windy City to stay home and play for the Blue Demons is a quick and easy way for Jerr Wainwright to improve the NCAA Basketball Odds of his program, and lenghten his tenure as head coach.

The task has not been easy, but one local player did ink with the Blue Demons earlier in November when Mike Stovall signed his letter of intent. Stovall originally attended Chicago's Marshall High School before heading to Oregon State. However, that did not last long and Stovall is currently playing for Mineral Area (MO) CC.

Stovall was named to second team all-state in 2007 while playing with Marshall.

DePaul also got a late surprise on the recruiting trail when 6'6 Fremont High School forward out of Los Angeles (CA) Tony Freeland committed and signed with DePaul. Freeland averaged 19.5 points and 11.8 rebounds per game last season as a junior while earning first team All-City honors in Los Angeles.

With the two signing, DePaul currently has one scholarship open for the 2009 class.

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