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September
21st, 2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
DePaul Blue
Demons
Overall Rank:
#52
Conference
Rank: #8 Big East
2005-06:
12-15, 5-11, 13th (t)
2005-06
postseason: none
 At the end of
last year, DePaul began to show what they could do with a
victory over Seton Hall followed by a 39 point drubbing of NCAA
Tournament bound Syracuse. With all but one impact player
returning, the Blue Demons are a middle of the pack Big East
team…and that puts them on the bubble.
Who’s Out:
Almost as painful as the loss of big man Marlon Brumfield is the
loss of his hopeful replacement Keith Butler. Brumfield started
24 games last year and was never a dominant big man, but was at
least a big body who could grab some boards and play some
defense. Butler, a transfer from Temple, never quite made it in
the “Who’s In” list and is not expected to suit up for the
Demons. Seldom used Rashad Woods has opted to transfer after
his freshman campaign in Chicago.
Who’s In:
Unfortunately, none of the post players that DePaul really
needed made it here. However, point guard Will Walker will find
some minutes in the crowded backcourt. Walker is talented
enough to play either guard spot, but second year coach Jerry
Wainwright will need him to use his poise and passing skills to
run the show as a freshman. At 6-0 and 180 pounds, Walker’s
size is a concern, but the Bolingbrook, Illinois product has
proven time and time again that he can flat out get the job
done. Thijin Moses finds himself at the end of a deep depth
chart. The 6-8 small forward has loads of potential, but will
need some time to adjust to the level of play in the Big East
and is a probable redshirt candidate.
Who to Watch:
Every
year it seems the expectations of center Wesley Green reemerge.
The once highly touted recruit then shows up overweight and
suffers a variety of injuries. Without Brumfield or Butler, the
five spot will have to depend on Green and that has not been a
wise thing to depend upon over the last couple of years. The
power forward spot is in good hands with Wilson Chandler. While
ideally a three, Chandler proved he can be effective enough at
the four during his freshman campaign. The Benton Harbor,
Michigan native isn’t the greatest outside shooter, but he’ll
get to the basket and finish with the best in the Big East.
After a freshman season that saw Chandler average 10.6 points
and a team high 7.2 rebounds, big things are expected of the
6-8, 210 pound sophomore.
Final
Projection:
If this was
five-on-five streetball where the big guys inevitably get left
on the other side of the court and consequently the bench,
DePaul would be a top ten team. Sammy Mejia is a solid scorer
on the wing and Jabari Currie is developing into a solid point
guard. As long as Currie and Walker can manage the point, Mejia
will be able to cut his minutes running the point to nil and
move off the ball where he is much more effective. Draelon
Burns was second on the team in scoring with 11.6 points per
game mostly coming off the bench. He may not find a starting
role this year either, but will get plenty of minutes and score
plenty of points and be the odds on favorite to win the sixth
man of the year honors in the Big East. Karron Clarke is the
best long range shooter of them all and will be starting at the
small forward spot once again. Cliff Clinkscales started ten
games last year and will be another experienced player adding
depth to the backcourt. If the guards can use their experience
to take smart shots and hit them with a little more consistency,
the frontcourt deficiencies can be disregarded and the Demons
can sweat it out on Selection Sunday. If they jack up too many
threes and Green isn’t ready to see significant minutes, it will
be another long season for DePaul fans.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NIT
Projected
Starting Five:
Jabari Currie,
Sophomore, Guard, 5.1 points per game
Sammy Mejia,
Senior, Guard, 15.1 points per game
Karron Clarke,
Junior, Forward, 10.0 points per game
Wilson Chandler,
Sophomore, Forward, 10.6 points per game
Wesley Green,
Junior, Center, 4.3 points per game
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