Preseason expectations for the Blue Demons this year were likely very modest--perhaps a .500 overall record with a Big East record just shy of .500. No one likely predicted that the Demons would 0-15 in the Big East or 8-20 overall. Nor did any pundits likely think that DePaul would score just 36 points in a loss to Northwestern, or fall to Morgan State. An 80-58 loss to South Florida also seemed unlikely.
Youth and Injuries
DePaul is a young team. There are only two seniors on the squad, and the roster is riddled with freshmen and sophomores. That said, two of the Blue Demons best players--Dar Tucker and Mac Koshwal--are both sophomores. So youth can be both a blessing and a curse for the Blue Demons.
Injuries haven't helped either--before a recent loss to Seton Hal, DePaul announced that senior Jabari Currie was out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, meaning more minutes for players that might need more seasoning.
The Big "Beast"
Some critics think the best way for DePaul to regain its swagger would be to leave the Big East. That scenario is unlikely to occur anytime soon.
The Big East is often called the Big "Beast" due to the large amount of quality teams in the conference, and also due to its sheer size (16 teams). Connecticut, Louisville, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette--all of these teams call the conference home. DePaul faces a tough road, indeed.
DePaul showed some signs of life last Wednesday, nearly beating Villanova before falling 74-72. But an upset of Villanova would've done little to satisfy DePaul fans who are calling for the heads of head coach Jerry Wainwright and athletic director Jean Lenti-Ponsetto.
How to Fix the Blue Demons
Firing Wainwright and Lenti-Ponsetto might satisfy an angry fan base, but it's unlikely to change anything. Sure, bringing in a coach who recruits better than Wainwright does may help, but in order to hire a coach of that caliber, the university needs to open up the purse strings.
Whether Wainwright stays or goes, recruiting is the key to fixing this mess. Given the amount of talent available in and around the Chicago area, it's a shame that DePaul hasn't harvested more of it. Sure, there are top notch Big Ten coaches scouring the area and duking it out with DePaul for recruits, but this doesn't DePaul can't score a coup now and then.
DePaul has plenty to offer recruits--Big East TV exposure, modern facilities, a modern campus in a major city, and, for those Chicago-area kids, a chance to stay close to home. A kid from the city's South Side should chose Lincoln Park over Storrs, Connecticut or Syracuse, New York. Sadly, it hasn't worked that for DePaul in sometime.
What the Future Holds
The most likely near-term scenario for DePaul includes a few more rough seasons, regardless of who is coaching the team or sitting in the AD's chair. This is because it's difficult to turn things around over night in college basketball. If DePaul can somehow bring in the quality recruits it needs--and keep them in school--the school can pull itself out of this tailspin. After all, things can't be much worse.
Tim Healey - I am a freelance writer specializing in sports and automotive interests. In my spare time, I run, listen to good music, explore my city. ...
