2011 DePaul Blue Demons Basketball
Written by James Zerfoss - Google +
2010-11 Results:
Overall: 7-24
Big East: 1-17
Conference Tournament: Lost in the first round of the Big East Tournament
Postseason: Not selected for the NCAA Tournament
DePaul struggled in Oliver Purnell’s first season but he has laid the seed for future success. DePaul went 7-24 and finished last in the Big East winning only one conference game. Last year three freshmen played key rules which include Big East Rookie of the Year Cleveland Melvin.
DePaul will kick off the season against Texas-Pan American on November 11. Prunell will try to guide the Blue Demons to improving over last year’s team. They will have the advantage of having 72% of last year’s player minutes returning. The returning players will be infused with five new freshmen. They will need someone to step up from behind the arch having to replace Jimmy Drew who was second on the team last year from three-point range.
The Blue Demons ranked 12th in the Big East in scoring last year at 67.9 points per game and 16th in scoring defense at 76.7 points per game. DePaul will have to play better defensively if they are going to improve. They allowed the most points per game last year in the defensive minded Big East.
Roster
Returning Starters
Cleveland Melvin
Jeremiah Kelly
Brandon Young
Krys Faber
Other Returning Players
Tony Freeland
Moses Morgan
Newcomers
Montray Clemons
Jamee Crockett
Charles McKinney
Derrell Robertson Jr.
Worrel Clahar
Head Coach
Oliver Purnell
Key Losses
Jimmy Drew will be the biggest loss for DePaul who was second on the team with 41 three pointers and was a part-time starter. Swingman Mike Stovall averaged 5.4 points per game last year and has also departed. Backup point guard Michael Bizoukas transferred to Missouri State.
2011-12 Preview
Once again DePaul finished last in the Big East Preseason poll. Oliver Purnell will look to turn around another program after finding success at Clemson and Old Dominion. The Blue Demons are trying to rebound after four straight losing seasons and have only won two Big East games the past two seasons.
Even though the team finished 7-24 and 1-17 in the conference the play of some of their younger players bring hope to the program. Cleveland Melvin will look to prove that he is one of the best players in the conference and with the help of fellow sophomore Brandon Young will look to help DePaul regain its once winning tradition.
Backcourt
Brandon Young who was named to the Big East all-rookie team will lead the way. He also lead the team in assist with 3.7 a game and will try to make things happen inside. Jeremiah Kelly the team’s top three-point shooter is back as well to fill out the backcourt.
With Montray Clemons out for the season and Macari Brooks leaving school because of academic issues freshman Charles McKinney will look to provide depth off the bench along with newcomer Worrel Clahar. McKinney is a strong shooter and excellent athlete with a vertical jump of 38 inches.
Frontcourt
Forwards Cleveland Melvin and Krys Faber have returned to lead the way. Melvin will try to improve on his already impressive 14.3 points per game from a year ago. Faber averaged 7 ppg and team high 5.3 rebounds. Moses Morgan will be the primary backup. Tony Freeland was expected to be a main contributor inside but he is out with a shoulder injury.
Freshman Derrell Robertson Jr. and transfer Kirk Donnavan will provide depth inside. Robertson was ranked 39th among centers by ESPN and has an 82.5 inch wingspan.
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