11/9/2015 2015-2016 Basketball Preview

2015-2016 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

DAVE’S

GOLIATH

Dave Leitao has a massive task ahead of him: rebuilding DePaul men’s basketball

Stimage’s potential

More than a decade of drought

The odds couple

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2 | Basketball Preview. Nov. 9, 2015.

DePaul Men’s ‘15-16 Schedule 11/14/15 vs. Western Michigan 8:00 p.m. CT Gavitt Tipoff Games 11/17/15 at Penn State 4:00 p.m. CT Paradise Jam 11/20/15 vs. South Carolina 5:00 p.m. CT 11/21/15 vs. TBD 5:30 p.m. CT 11/22/15 vs. TBD 8:00 p.m. CT 11/23/15 vs. TBD 12:30/3/5:30/8 p.m. CT 12/02/15 12/05/15 12/09/15 12/12/15 12/15/15 12/19/15 12/22/15 12/30/15 01/02/16 01/05/16 01/09/16 01/12/16 01/17/16 01/20/16 01/27/16 01/30/16 02/02/16 02/06/16 02/09/16 02/17/16 02/20/16 02/25/16 02/27/16 03/01/16 03/05/16

at UIC vs. Chicago State at Drake vs. Little Rock at Stanford vs. Northwestern vs. G. Washington vs. Georgetown at Seton Hall . vs. Butler at Georgetown at Xavier vs. Creighton at Marquette at Butler vs. Xavier vs. Providence at Creighton vs. Villanova at St. John’s vs. Marquette vs. St. John’s at Providence at Villanova vs. Seton Hall

7:00 p.m. CT 1:00 p.m. CT 7:00 p.m. CT 9:00 p.m. CT 9:00 p.m. CT 1:00 p.m. CT 8:00 p.m. CT 8:00 p.m. CT 10:00 a.m. CT 7:00 p.m. CT 11:00 a.m. CT 5:30 p.m. CT 12:00 p.m. CT 7:00 p.m. CT 6:00 p.m. CT 1:00 p.m. CT 8:00 p.m. CT 1:00 p.m. CT 7:30 p.m. CT 7:00 p.m. CT 1:00 p.m. CT 8:00 p.m. CT 3:00 p.m. CT 6:00 p.m. CT 11:00 a.m. CT

Big East parity party Six Big East teams made the tournament in 2015 as a solid conference top-to-bottom. Will it be a bloodbath once again?

Conference records in parentheses, all conference records are Big East unless otherwise noted. Teams listed in order of preseason coaches’ poll.

Villanova Wildcats

Marquette Golden Eagles 13-19 (4-14)

32-2 (16-2)

No. 11 Villanova is projected to win the Big East again after another stellar season in 2014-15. Their perimeter play, led by senior guard Ryan Arcidiacono, should be their biggest strength once again.

Georgetown Hoyas

Seton Hall Pirates

21-10 (12-6)

Senior D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera led the Hoyas in scoring in 2014-15 with an average of 16.3 points per game and won’t have to do it all this season as highly touted recruit Jessie Govan leads the young Hoyas.

Butler Bulldogs

The Musketeers lost Dee Davis and Matt Stainbrook but return three of their top four scorers and freshman Makinde London could replace Stainbrook’s production in the paint.

Providence Friars

Kris Dunn is a national player of the year candidate as the Friars look for a third straight NCAA tournament appearance. They lack size, however, so their guard play is going to be their main strength.

14-19 (4-14)

Creighton is still trying to figure it out after Doug McDermott graduated two seasons ago. The Bluejays have a very new team, although one that could surprise with recruits such as Justin Patton.

St. John’s Red Storm

22-11 (11-7)

12-20 (6-12)

Dave Leitao returns to DePaul to a team that showed flashes in 2014-15. The Blue Demons will have to avoid another late season slide if they want to finish higher than projected.

Creighton Bluejays

21-13 (9-9)

16-15 (6-12)

A late-season collapse erased a great start for Seton Hall in 2014-15. They’ll be a young team, led by sophomore guard Isiah Whitehead and rebounding machine Angel Delgado.

DePaul Blue Demons

22-10 (12-6)

The Bulldogs exceeded expectations in 2014-15 but now their expectations are higher. Seniors Roosevelt Jones and Kellen Dunham will be the focus of the offense as they look to exceed expectations again.

Xavier Musketeers

The Golden Eagles underwhelmed in 2014-15, finishing ninth in the conference. However, the freshman class led

by Big East second teamer Henry Ellenson will define Steve Wojciechowski’s second year in Milwaukee.

21-11 (10-8)

A 90-58 loss to division II school St. Thomas Aquinas does not bode well for a St. John’s school that lost the majority of its scoring from 2014-15. Chris Mullin has a long road ahead in his first year as coach.

GEOFF STELLFOX | THE DEPAULIA

With five seniors, including three in the starting lineup, DePaul will need to replenish the depth for next season.

Devin Gage remains only class of 2016 commit so far

By Ben Gartland Sports Editor

Class of 2016 point guard Devin Gage is the only player verbally committed to DePaul from his class as the recruiting signing season starts to get into full swing.

The Blue Demons have lost out on a few recruits, however.

According to ESPN, they had an offer out to three star shooting guard Travis Atson (who chose Tulsa), three star point guard Justice Kithcart (who chose Pittsburgh) and four star shooting guard Myles Powell, who ended up going to Big East

rival Seton Hall.

There are still plenty of available recruits, however.

247sports.com reports that DePaul has particular interest in three star shooting guard KJ Santos.

Under the El, a DePaul recruiting blog, reported that three star power forward Algevon Eichelberger and three star shooting guard Brandon Cyrus made campus visits within the past couple of weeks, although there is no time frame for when they will make a decision. DePaul will need to replace five seniors who are graduating after 2015-16.

Basketball Preview. Nov. 9, 2015. | 3

Men's Full Court Coverage Roster

69.4 Billy Garrett

Elijah Cain

Guard, JR.

Guard, FR.

Myke Henry

Tommy Hamilton

Forward, SR.

Forward, JR.

75.4 42 %

Head Coach

2014 IN REVIEW Points Per Game

Opp. Points Per Game

12-20 6-12 Big East Seventh place

Field Goal Percentage

Dave Leitao First season back at DePaul, went 58-34 in his first stint.

Rashuan Stimage Develle Phillips Forward, SR.

Forward, FR.

Oumar Berry

Aaron Simpson

Forward, FR.

Guard, SR.

Darrick Wood

RJ Curington

Guard, JR.

Guard, JR.

JOSH LEFF | THE DEPAULIA

Billy Garrett Jr. captains the Blue Demons as the junior point guard attempts to lead DePaul back to the tournament.

Peter Ryckbosch

Cory Dolins

Forward, SR.

Guard, SR.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE 2015-16 ROSTER

Guards Joe Hanel

David Molinari

Forward, SO.

Guard, SR.

Erten Gazi

Fredrick Scott

Guard, FR.

Forward, FR.

Red name = projected starter Dave Leitao III is not eligible for play this season.

Junior Billy Garrett Jr. will lead the Blue Demons as the point guard and captain. He averaged 12.3 points per game, which led the Blue Demons in 2014-15. He was also second only to Jamee Crockett in minutes played.

Elijah Cain could jump right into the fray as a freshman. In the scrimmages in France he was the starting shooting guard and could be listed ahead of the older guards on the depth chart.

Senior Aaron Simpson could also get some starting time like he did in 2014-15. He made 10 starts last year as a transfer. The sharpshooter from beyond the perimeter can put up a lot of points really quickly.

Bigs As long as he stays healthy, senior Rashaun Stimage can be a solid rim protector that DePaul has needed.

He missed the entire non-conference season last season and took some time adjusting back to the lineup.

Junior Tommy Hamilton had his breakout season in 2014 as he lost 30 pounds and became the regular power forward. Without Forrest Robinson in front of him, he should start all 30 games.

Senior Myke Henry was inconsistent but still averaged 12 points and five rebounds a game. His ability to go inside and driving while stretching the perimeter and making outside shots makes him versatile.

Bench The Blue Demons have a lot of young, big options coming off the bench including freshmen Develle Phillips and Oumar Berry, who provide a deeper forward bench than the Blue Demons have had in a few seasons.

One of the most interesting options coming off the bench is Erten Gazi, who has played semiprofessional ball in Turkey. He is a consistent scorer and can add a lot of speed coming off the bench.

Junior Darrick Wood will likely see time but with a crowded guard field he’ll have to stand out for minutes. His expereince last year may help in that department.

4 | Basketball Preview. Nov. 9 2015.

Breakout candidate

Stimage ready for

full-time duties

By Colin Salee Contributing Writer

Breakout player is a cliché term.

It is used to distinguish a player who may assume a larger role on a team than they have in the past. A player who enters a season with expectations, goals, and standards.

In the case of DePaul men’s basketball forward, senior Rashaun Stimage, the term doesn’t necessarily apply.

Those around the program are aware of his talent, length, high motor, and impact he can have on the hardwood.

Junior, and fellow big Tommy Hamilton, figures to play alongside Stimage quite often this year, and is eager to have a big with that sort of skill set to blend with.

“We’ve been waiting for Stimage to get back,” Hamilton said.

“He’s big, athletic, and man, he goes hard.

He only has one gear, and it’s good to have a player like that back in the mix.”

Last year, the 6-foot-8 inch senior power forward was spending much more time in the training room than in the gym, after a teammate fell on his foot during a late October practice in before the 2014 season.

The fracture he sustained required surgery; landing the once promising junior college transfer on the shelf for the first 15 games of the season.

“I wasn’t too healthy to start the year,” the Farragut High School alum said.

“I’ve been keeping my body in shape, getting back to where I was before the surgery and a bum thumb that I jammed during a spring workout.”

After returning from the initial foot injury, Stimage established himself as an instant rim protector for the Blue Demons, gathering 22 blocks in just 17 games, averaging 1.6 bpg , good for sixth overall in Big East play.

Stimage, who transferred to DePaul from Daytona State College before the start of last year, is in position under second-stint head coach Dave Leitao to thrive not just as a defender, but as a an offensive threat as well.

As his understanding of the team concepts and overall stamina continue to improve, Leitao believes Stimage can solidify the Blue Demons front court.

“He’s got a very quick second effort jump,” Leitao said.

“He can block shots better than a lot of guys, which will allow him to finish some plays for us. He knows he if continues to improve like he has been, he can be a real important part of what we do.”

Stimage is aware of the bigger role he can play if he’s productive “Offensively that’s going to give me opportunities,” Stimage said. “With guys like Billy and Myke commanding attention when they get in the paint, I’ll have chances to rebound and give us some more second chances. This will open some one-on-one chances for me down on the block as well.”

Stimage averaged just under five points per game last year, and was never able to find his true rhythm in the Big East’s seventh ranked offense, averaging 69.9 points per game.

“Coming back was difficult. I wanted to play a lot, but I wasn’t in the best basketball shape,” he said. “Other guys were the better option. When I did play, I was happy with how I defended mostly. My offensive game was just off.”

GEOFF STELLFOX | THE DEPAULIA

Senior forward Rashaun Stimage slams down a dunk in DePaul’s first and only preseason game against Caldwell on Saturday.

He shot an above average 47 percent from the field over his 17 games played last year, good for fourth on the team. His 31 attempts however skew that statistic a bit, but there’s reason to believe he can be a comparable offensive player.

During his lone season at Daytona State College, he earned first team All-Mid-Florida Conference honors with 13.9 ppg to go along with 7.2 rebounds. This coming after he averaged 15 ppg at Blinn College (Blinn, TX) while shooting 54 percent from the field.

With a new appreciation for the game, Stimage is thankful for a chance to compete at a high level again.

Stimage figures to be starting at the four or five position in Leitao’s offense, and should be a big boost for a team who didn’t have much production from bigs in terms of overall productivity in 2014 – finishing dead last in rebounds per game with 30.6 and sixth in overall blocked shots with .8 per contest.

Hailing from Farragut High School on the city’s South Side gave a Stimage a chance to thrive under William “wolf ” Nelson. He blossomed into an all-state player, was touted as one of the top players in a state that’s rich in prep basketball history.

Stimage was a late bloomer, not playing organized basketball until 8th grade.

He’s improved every year he’s been involved in the sport. With his added motivation of overcoming injuries, that trend is in line to continue when the Blue Demons kick things into gear on Saturday against Western Michigan.

“I’m excited be the player I’m able to be, 100 percent healthy and alongside my boys as we get ready to start the season.” he said.

2014-15 STATS Point per game

4.9

Rebounds per game

3.1

Assists per game

0

Steals per game

0.5

Field goal percentage

47.7

Minutes per game

15.5

Basketball Preview. Nov. 9, 2015. | 5

DePaulia file photo

Doing it for LeVar

The 2003-2004 team (above) was the last DePaul team to make the NCAA tournament, where they won their first round game against Dayton in a 76-69 double overtime win.

With LeVar Seals suspended, DePaul faced Dayton their last NCAA tournament appearance

By Matthew Paras Editor-in-chief

The following is a condensed story for print about the last DePaul team to make the NCAA tournament, also coached by Dave Leitao. The DePaulia interviewed players, coaches and close observers from that year.

Check out the full oral history of the 2003-04 Blue Demons online at depauliaonline.com

VI. Do it for LeVar — DePaulDayton

After a successful regular season campaign where the Blue Demons finished in a five-way tie for first place in Conference USA, DePaul lost to rival Cincinnati 55-50 in the conference tournament final, meaning they left their NCAA tournament chances to a selection committee. While they would make it in, they would be without Levar Seals, a key defender, who was suspended automatically for getting ejected in the game prior. The Blue Demons would go on to draw Dayton.

Dave Leitao, head coach: (Seals) got thrown out for throwing a punch to one of Cincinnati’s players, Tony Bobbitt. It wasn’t much of a punch, but at the same point in time, it got him removed from the game.

Steve Newhouse, journalist: If you could see the look on LeVar’s face when he came back to the bench. He was astonished. He couldn’t believe the call from that, being ejected from the game.

Jean Lenti Ponsetto, athletic director: I asked for a review of the technical foul (LeVar) had been given. I spent a lot of time with the NCAA national coordinator of officials at that time, trying to better understand why we couldn’t reverse a wrong call that would take this young man out of his NCAA tournament game that we hadn’t been to in a couple of years. He was a senior and thought that would be a tough way if that was the end of his career.

Quemont Greer, forward: Going into that game, knowing LeVar wouldn’t be able to

PATRICK SCHNEIDER | TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICES

Drake Deiner was a junior in 2003-04.

PHIL VELASQUEZ | TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICES

Quemont Greer against Cincinatti. play, he was one of our better defenders. We had one of our better defenders out. We took that approach we were going to play for him.

Leitao: (Dayton) was a white-knuckle game. Offense wasn’t the order of the day. I think both teams played tight. It was back and forth. They took a lead and we took a lead.

Greer: There was a time where we probably should have lost that game. I knew it was a teeter-toter back and forth type of game.

Andre Brown, forward: It didn’t start to become a game until the (second half). It was

tough. I remember Dayton had two big guys who I thought I was much better than. But I think we had Quemont playing the four, but he’s kind of undersized. But he’s tough. I feel like we held our own.

Leitao: Their front court was difficult for the boys, but I think more than anything, we preserved. We hung in there tight and got us to overtime again.

Leitao: I think overtime was one of the things through the course of the year that taught us about that game. We had been in a number of close games. We had been in a number of overtime games so that anytime we got to overtime, my conversation was always the same. “Guys, we’ve been here. The team that’s going to win is going to be the aggressor so (with) everything else that has happened, this is our time. We know it. Let’s go out and take it.”

Gene Cross, assistant: Going into double overtime, I think we were in a never say die mentality right there. We had fought so hard

in order to make it to that point.

Brown: Drake Diener had a hell of a game. He saved us. One thing I learned about Drake is he got guts. He didn’t back down from any test. He had tough covers in the conference, but he came through, man.

Drake saved us a lot of games.

Greer: He was an extremely hard worker.

He did everything coach asked him to do.

Before Sammy got there, we didn’t have a point guard so Drake was our point guard.

Sammy Mejia, point guard: I remember him getting into a groove. Me and Drake had a great relationship, when he would get in a groove I’d find him in time outs. I’d say move around, I’ll find you. He was such a great shooter, when he gets into a rhythm it’s hard to stop him.

Marlon Brumfield, forward: We all knew that Drake was the best shooter on the team, if not the conference itself. I knew, man, if I could get him a nice, good screen and if he had the look, he was going to knock it down.

Leitao: He carried a pride about himself and aggression when it came to basketball and between the lines on the court, he wasn’t backing down from no opportunity and from no one in that opportunity. He proved it that day.

Diener: I played well. It was kind of an ugly game … I guess if the game was ugly, then we kind of made them play our style.

Not that we wanted to play ugly, but we wanted to play physical and rebound. We were able to finish them.

Greer: Coach Leitao had us play the game for (Seals). He sacrificed himself and we were going to sacrifice for him. It took two overtimes to do it.

Greer: We celebrated in the moment and told LeVar he was going to be able to play in the NCAA tournament. He was excited he’d be able to play that next day.

DePaul won its first tournament game since 1989, defeating Dayton 76-69 in double overtime.

6 | Basetball Preview. Nov. 9, 2015.

Dave Leitao has a second chan just like Doug Bruno got nearl Bringing him back was a gamb pay off.

By Matthew Paras Editor-in-Chief

Dave Leitao got a second chance.

When DePaul men’s basketball began their search process for a new coach in March after Oliver Purnell resigned after five seasons, Leitao even admitted that he didn’t expect a call gauging his interest in returning to Chicago. Leitao previously served as the Blue Demons head coach from 2002 to 2005 before leaving for Virginia. He was, perhaps, DePaul’s last successful head coach with two National Invitational Tournament appearances and an NCAA tournament bid.

But to say the circumstances have drastically changed since Leitao last sat on the bench at the Allstate Arena would be an understatement.

College basketball has evolved, and year after year, the seats at Allstate Arena remain mostly empty and DePaul has been left in the dust. As Leitao becomes the third head coaching hire of Athletic Director Jean Lenti Ponsetto, it’s up to him to turn the program around with a rare second chance.

“We’re here to win this season and turn things around as quickly as possible,” Leitao said. “What that means in wins and

losses, as I’m often asked, I don’t know if I buy into that. I’m just trying to be better today than I was yesterday.

“I think our players would say the same thing. If we can do that, we’ll end up in a very positive place.”

Doug Bruno, too, got a second chance.

In 1988, Bruno returned to take over DePaul women’s basketball program after previously serving a two-year stint as head coach for the 1976-77 and 1978-79 seasons.

By comparison, Bruno has continued to take DePaul to new heights in college basketball.

The Blue Demons have reached the tournament 13 years in a row (and take pride in doing it) in a fun-towatch style.

“I didn’t even look at it like I was getting a second chance at DePaul,” Bruno said. “I looked it at like what a great opportunity.”

It’s not fair to assume, however, that just because Bruno had success in his return that it will work out for Leitao. The men’s and the women’s game have certainly been on different paths results wise, and it’s troubling for men’s basketball due to the large importance to the university, given how it funds other sports.

According to publicly made records, men’s basketball in 2013 earned $6,282,582

in reported revenue while women’s basketball took in $2,926,026. That amount was also the university’s lowest amount of men’s basketball team revenue since 2008 ($3,257,409). The women’s revenue, though, has increased every year since 2007, with 2013 being their highest earning year yet. Reporting data for 2014 was not yet available.

Attendance has also declined over the years. The 2014-15 season was a reported 6,238 average — DePaul’s lowest since Leitao’s first year in 2002-03 with 6,054.

Attendance has declined every year since 2007, when it fell from 10,145 to 9,262.

“A big emphasis on marketing this year is internal with our students, faculty and staff,” Lenti Ponsetto said. “We’d like to have a greater number who are engaged in DePaul … I think, again, if we win, it’s a pretty easy equation at that point.

Chicago is a city and a place that embraces its teams when they win.”

But Leitao has been part of the DePaul community before to understand how to draw fans to games. He said “if you build it, they will come.”

Leitao is tasked with turning around a DePaul program that has lost at least 20 games in six of the last seven seasons. In the months since he was re-introduced to the DePaul community at a press

conference, Leitao has spent time getting past first impressions and further trying to get to know his players.

And for the most part, he’ll be doing it with largely the same parts.

11 of DePaul’s 17 players are returning, most of whom are expected to be major contributors.

“The every essence that every coach is trying to get, figure out what buttons to push to get the most out of each individual,” Leitao said. “And then make it cohesive. It’s a daily chore. Sometimes it looks really good. Yesterday we had a really good practice, two days ago, we didn’t. It’s going to come and go.”

It’s hard not to notice the emphasis on culture that Leitao has put on the first few months. When he spoke at the annual Chicago College Basketball luncheon in late October, Leitao stressed the micromanaging process in order to rebuild the DePaul program into something fans can be proud of.

Of course, there’s a reputation Leitao brings as well. His teams, from his previous three-year stint at DePaul to Virginia, have largely been known for their rebounding and their stout defense.

But stressing rebounding and defense is something that Purnell kept repeating also. It’s one thing to talk about it, but

Basketball Preview. Nov. 9, 2015. | 7

nce as a head coach, ly three decades ago. ble that just might PHOTOS JOSH LEFF | THE DEPAULIA

another to put players in a better position to get rebounds or make defensive stops.

“My first meeting with the coaching staff, I knew there was going to be a change,” junior forward Tommy Hamilton IV said. “For the first time ever, I’ve been on a staff that’s hungry. Our practices are grit and bumping. We’re getting a lot more after it. Before every practice, we have to run the mile. We’re just trying to do everything before we’re ready to go.

“My first two years, I didn’t rebound the ball that well. That’s one thing they stressed to me. I have to get after it on the glass.”

There is also a schematic defensive change that the Blue Demons will undergo. Purnell’s ran a deny defense, but Leitao will utilize a “pack-line” defense, which emphasizes the ability to clog lanes and prevent dribble penetration through a sagging man-to-man defense.

It’s unknown how the changes will impact DePaul, but it’s the inconsistency in the group that needs to be fixed.

Last season, the Blue Demons went a disappointing 6-6 in non-conference play before jumping out to a 5-2 record in the Big East. They finished the season, however, with losing 11 of their last 12 games. It was a group that showed flashes and some maddening tendencies.

“It’s been an adjustment definitely because you’re going from one extreme to another,” junior guard Billy Garrett Jr. said. “It’s definitely an adjustment, but we’re getting there.”

While Leitao is focusing on defense, Bruno transformed the women’s team from a NIT-caliber program to an NCAA-quality team by developing an intense, high-pressure offense. In some ways, it’s an opposite approach from Leitao.

For the women this season, though, one challenge will be to match the quality of offense from the past two seasons. They will be looking to replace the production of Brittany Hrynko, Megan Rogowski and Centrese McGee. “We have a lot of work to do on focus,” Bruno said. “We need to get together on a chemistry standpoint.”

“What you did last year sets up a mindset of expectation ... but you still have to put the ingridents together to make sure it comes out okay,” he later added.

“We‘re just going to have to adjust and see what players adjust off the bench to those roles,” guard Jessica January said.

“We need the team chemistry to get to the same level as last year.”

But for the most part, Bruno and his group are in a prime position to three-peat as Big East champions. He continues to

Lenti Ponsetto raises stakes

By Matthew Paras Editor-in-Chief

Athletic Director Jean Lenti Ponsetto got a fourth chance to hire a new men’s basketball head coach.

And to potentially get it right, she went back to the same guy who gave her the most amount of success in men’s basketball: Dave Leitao. Leitao was Lenti Ponsetto’s first hire as interim athletic director in 2002.

Now as the season gets closer, she said “there is a bright light on men’s basketball.”

“It’s got all the signs of a Dave Leitao handprint right now,” Lenti Ponsetto said.

“I watch us from a defensive standpoint and a rebounding, transition defense aspect ... I think we’re improving in all of those areas.”

Lenti Ponsetto said she will measure progress by how they match up in the make the most of his second opportunity at DePaul, heading into his 30th season.

For Leitao to make the most of his second chance, he said he has to change

school’s non-conference schedule and the Big East conference. She said one of the team’s goals is to get into the top six of the Big East conference, noting there were four teams practially locked in and there were four others, where she included DePaul that could vie for the last two spots.

“The most important thing is for our student athletes is to achieve at a level where they can maximize their potential,” she said.

Lenti Ponsetto admitted she felt last year the Blue Demons underacheived, “which is why we made a change and should have won more games.”

She also acknowledged the “higher expectation” to get this hire right, but doesn’t apologize for the previous two coaches, Jerry Wainwright and Oliver Purnell, she hired.

“I don’t think you can work in this position without having a tough outer shell,” she said. “I feel confident that we’ve hired good people to coach our basketball program.”

the culture.

“If you know the moving parts and you’re on the same page,” Leitao said. “then it’s just about building a bond.”

8 | Basetball Preview. Nov. 9, 2015.

DePaul on top once again DePaul won their second straight Big East championship last year. Can anyone topple the Blue Demons in 2015-16?

Conference records in parentheses, all conference records are Big East unless otherwise noted. Teams listed in order of preseason coaches’ poll.

DePaul Blue Demons

26-7 (15-3)

DePaul lost leading scorer Brittany Hrynko, but they still have several scoring threats including Chanise Jenkins, Jessica January and Megan Podkowa. They should be one of the most high-scoring teams.

St.John’s Red Storm

21-10 (11-7)

Senior forward Aliyyah Handford was a unanimous pick for the Preseason All-Big East team. She led the Big East in scoring and will be a force in bringing the Red Storm to a high conference standing.

Villanova Wildcats

19-13 (12-6)

The Wildcats are picked to finish in the same standing as they finished last year and for good reason. Forward Taylor Holeman and guard Caroline Coyer are back, with 38-year veteran Harry Parretta as coach.

Creighton Bluejays

17-13 (10-8)

Creighton looked like one of the best teams in the conference at times during the conference season.

They only lost two seniors and sophomore Sydney Lamberty can lead the team on offense.

Seton Hall Pirates

28-5 (15-3)

Seton Hall should be expected to regress this season after sharing the regular season conference title with DePaul. However, Tabatha Richardson-Smith can still be an offensive force.

Xavier Musketeers

17-14 (8-10)

The Musketeers made a 10-game improvement last season from the previous and should be decent again.

Senior forward Braina Glover was named to the AllBig East team and will provide and inside presence.

Georgetown Hoyas

4-27 (2-16)

Natasha Adair’s squad went 4-27 overall and 2-16 in conference play. They should improve in 2015-16 led by sophomore guard Dorothy Adomako, who averaged 13.1 points per game last season.

Butler Bulldogs

14-16 (10-8)

Butler will have problems with depth as they only have 10 players on the roster but their core could earn them some wins. Five freshman, including forward Taylor Buford, will make them a tough game.

Marquette Golden Eagles 9-22 (4-14) Marquette was dealt a large blow this spring when they lost three freshmen to transfer. They’ve lost their top six scorers and will lack a lot of depth. Their starters will get them some wins, however.

Providence Friars

6-24 (3-15)

Providence only won two conference games last season. Junior point guard Sarah Beal may be the only high point of the team as she was named to the preseason All-Big East team.

DePaul Women’s ‘14-15 Schedule Preseason WNIT 11/13/15 vs. Southern Illinois 11/15/15 TBD 11/19/15 Semifinals 11/22/15 Championship Regular Season 11/24/15 vs. Chicago State 11/27/15 vs. Colgate 12/02/15 vs. Connecticut 12/05/15 vs. Illinois State 12/09/15 at Notre Dame 12/12/15 at Texas A&M 12/15/15 at South Dakota St. 12/19/15 at Northwestern 12/21/15 vs. Loyola 12/29/15 vs. Marquette 01/03/16 at St. John’s 01/05/16 at Seton Hall .

01/08/16 vs. Georgetown 01/10/16 vs. Villanova 01/15/16 at Butler 01/17/16 at Xavier 01/22/16 vs. Creighton 01/24/16 vs. Providence 01/29/16 vs. Seton Hall 01/31/16 vs. St. John’s 02/05/16 at Villanova 02/07/16 at Georgetown 02/12/16 vs. Xavier 02/14/16 vs. Butler 02/19/16 at Providence 02/21/16 at Creighton 02/27/16 at Marquette

7:00 p.m. CT 4:00 p.m. CT 7:00 p.m. CT 2:00 p.m. CT 7:00 p.m. CT 7:00 p.m. CT 6:30 p.m. CT 7:00 p.m. CT 6:00 p.m. CT 2:00 p.m. CT 7:00 p.m. CT 5:00 p.m. CT 12:00 p.m. CT 7:00 p.m. CT 4:00 p.m. CT 6:00 p.m. CT 7:00 p.m. CT 3:00 p.m. CT 6:00 p.m. CT 1:00 p.m. CT 7:00 p.m. CT 2:00 p.m. CT 12:00 p.m. CT 12:00 p.m. CT 6:00 p.m. CT 11:00 a.m. CT 7:00 p.m. CT 2:00 p.m. CT 6:00 p.m. CT 1:00 p.m. CT 5:00 p.m. CT

Basketball Preview. Nov. 9, 2015. | 9

Head Coach

Women’s Full Court Coverage

86.0 Doug Bruno 30th season with DePaul 587-309 overall

70.2 43 %

2014 IN REVIEW Points Per Game

Roster

27-8

Opp. Points Per Game

15-3 Big East First place

Field Goal Percentage

Chanise Jenkins

Jessica January

Guard, SR.

Guard, JR.

Megan Podkowa

Brooke Schulte

Forward, SR.

Guard, JR.

Mart’e Grays

Tanita Allen

Forward, SO.

Guard, FR.

Meri BennettSwanson

Amarah Coleman

Forward, SO.

Jacqui Grant Forward, JR.

Guard, SO.

Brandi Harvey-Carr Forward, JR.

JOSH LEFF | THE DEPAULIA

Sophomore small forward Mart’e Grays controls the ball in DePaul exhibition win over Saint Xaiver on Nov. 2.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE 2015-16 ROSTER

Guards

Bigs

Bench

Senior point guard Chanise Jenkins steps into the leadership role as a senior captain and will be one of the focal points of the offense. She averaged 12.4 points a game, an average that could increase without Brittany Hrynko on the team.

Junior shooting guard Jessica January faced inconsistencies in 2014-15 but still averaged 11.6 points a game last season. She put up 26 points in DePaul’s exhibition against Lewis as she looks to find a consistent stroke this year.

Junior guard Brooke Schulte is new to the starting lineup but has the potential for a big offensive season. Doug Bruno has called her one of the keys to the season as she provides another highshooting ability.

Senior forward Megan Podkowa is a versatile weapon on the inside as she can stretch the floor, either inside as a rebounder and rim protector or as an outside shooter. She averaged 14.2 points per game as a junior and also grabbed an average of 6.4 rebounds.

Sophomore forward Mart’e Grays will likely get starting time depending on whether Bruno wants to go with a four-guard or three-guard formation.

Regardless, Grays has height but can also shoot the ball. She only averaged 5.9 points a game and shot 38.9 percent from the field, but with more time on the court this season, both of those numbers should go up. She had the highest amount of shots in DePaul’s exhibition against Saint Xavier.

Redshirt sophomore Meri BennettSwanson and junior Brandi HarveyCarr are going to be the first forwards off the bench. Bennett-Swanson did not play in 2014-15 and Harvey-Carr has been inconsistent Grays and Podkowa are likely to see a lot of playing time on the inside.

Sophomores Ashton Millender and Lauren Prochaska each got playing time last year and will be some of the first guards coming in as subsitutes, although freshman Tanita Allen could challenge them for minutes depending on how they progress throughout the season.

Rounding out the bench is redshirt freshman Elri Liebenberg and redshirt freshman guard Megan Waldron, who may end up needed because of depth.

Elri Liebenberg

Ashton Millender

Forward, FR.

Guard, SO.

Lauren Prochaska Megan Waldron Guard, SO.

Guard, FR.

Red name = projected starter Italics = Ineligible for play in 2015-16

10 | Basetball Preview. Nov. 9, 2015.

Brooke Schulte is the Breakout candidate

‘key to the season’

GEOFF STELLFOX | THE DEPAULIA

Redshirt junior guard Brooke Schulte will likely be a starter for the 2015-16 season, giving her the potential to have a career-high season in DePaul’s high-powered offense.

By Ben Savage Asst. Sports Editor

Every great team has an “X Factor.” The Golden State Warriors have Draymond Green, the ‘85 Bears had William “The Refrigerator” Perry, and the DePaul Blue Demons have Brooke Schulte.

The “X Factor” is never the primary or even secondary star on the team, but is often time the deciding factor in whether or not a team will succeed against competition.

“The whole key to the season is what kind of breakout year Brooke can have,” Doug Bruno, head coach of the women’s basketball team, said. “It’s going to determine our season.”

Schulte is entering her junior year, and is part of a starting line-up that will have to replace one of the all-time Blue Demons in Brittany Hrynko. However, Schulte is used to having to step-up for a lost teammate.

On Jan. 1 this year, then starting guard Megan Rogowski tore her ACL against Villanova. With Rogowski out, in came senior Centrese McGee. Schulte became the team’s No. 1 option off the bench.

“It wasn’t a blessing at the time,” Bruno said. “But now it becomes a blessing.”

Thrust into the premier bench role, Schulte averaged more than 22 minutes a game for the rest of the season, averaging nearly eight points a game while shooting almost 50 percent.

The team is now in the hands of seniors Megan Podkowa and Chanise Jenkins, and junior Jessica January. Jenkins played in the backcourt alongside Schulte last year, and praises Schulte for her presence on and off the court.

“Schulte has so much experience and wisdom,” Jenkins said. “She’s just the kind of player you want and need to have on your team.”

Jenkins is the priority on the offensive end for DePaul, a potential candidate to lead the team in scoring and assists. The chemistry formed between Jenkins and Schulte last season in Rogowski’s lost minutes is a key component in Schulte’s integration into the offense this season.

Although the trio is going to be responsible for the backbone of the team, Schulte is going to need to provide critical rebounding and defensive help. Schulte’s focus is complementing the stars.

“If I can lessen the load for the team, I can greatly contribute to the team,” Schulte said.

A natural scorer, Schulte has been working on improving her off-ball defense and rebounding instincts this offseason.

Bruno expects her to improve in both aspects of the game, making her a twoway threat. Expect Schulte’s average of nearly five rebounds per game last year to jump to around seven.

Schulte showed well in the team’s recent exhibition match against Saint Xavier. Although the Blue Demons

2014-15 STATS Point per game

7.9

Rebounds per game

4.9

Assists per game

1.0

Steals per game

0.9

Field goal percentage

Minutes per game completely overpowered the visiting D2 school, we got to see Schulte work after an offseason assuming the role of a starter.

Schulte did what should always has been able to do, and scored 11 points on nine shots in her 18 minutes of game time. However, she did showcase the skills that Bruno has been looking for her to develop. Schulte grabbed seven rebounds, three steals, and even chipped in a block.

49.5% 21.7 After the game, Bruno admitted to not having a full grasp on how this season will go.

“We’re still putting this all together,” Bruno said. It’s probably true that the coach isn’t certain how his full rotation will work, but Schulte’s minutes and production have proven her to be a breakout candidate this year for the Blue Demons.

Basketball Preview. Nov. 9, 2015. | 11

In 30th season, Bruno still has goals to reach

By Ben Gartland Sports Editor

Doug Bruno sits in the media room on a Saturday evening after a game. His voice is raspy, but it commands the room. The game, in which DePaul soundly beat Lewis 87-67 on a court that bears Bruno’s name and signature, ended about 90 minutes prior. Bruno is still there, discussing how he came back to DePaul and the goals they’ve set and achieved over 30 seasons, pausing occasionally to chat with some of the athletic staff, or to talk to his grandkids.

It’s his 65th birthday, marking nearly 37 years since he first came to DePaul as a student. It’s been a long time since he was told by then athletic director Gene Sullivan that he was going to be the women’s basketball coach at DePaul. Not asked, told. He played for legendary DePaul coach Ray Meyer, who gave Bruno a scholarship. He was a good, not great, player, according to himself.

He had to work hard to get to a point where he was leading the team in assists.

“I owe my whole being (at DePaul) to Ray Meyer,” Bruno said. “He gave me the opportunity the play and I returned it with five hours a day of hard work.”

The start at DePaul led him to multiple coaching accomplishments, including conference championships, an assistant spot on the United States women’s national team, and a reputation for being a player developer.

“He’s obviously done an extraordinary job,” DePaul athletic director Jean Lenti Ponsetto said.

“He’s really distinguished himself as one of the best women’s basketball coaches in the country.

Not only does DePaul re c o g n i z e that but his peers as well.”

The hard work ethic has defined Bruno throughout his career, and has become a trademark of his teams.

While in school he became a student janitor, where he cleaned Alumni Hall, the cafeteria, even the bathrooms. He became so knowledgeable about the facilities that DePaul hired him as assistant athletic director a few years after he graduated. He was told by Sullivan that, in addition to running the ticket sales and the facilities, he would coach the women’s basketball team.

He didn’t expect to become head coach when he was in school, but embraced it all the same.

“I just love this place and I’ve always loved this place,” he said.

“But I never sat down and said ‘I want to be the head coach of DePaul University.’

His focus during his initial run in 1976-1978 was working with the

JOSH LEFF | THE DEPAULIA

Women’s basketball head coach Doug Bruno is not too concerned with his 30-year milestone as his accomplishments pile up. administration to get scholarships for the woman’s team, which was achieved.

“A female athlete is totally equal to a male athlete,” Bruno said. “It’s not about the gender, it’s about the human being that is the athlete. Psychologically, mentally, physically and emotionally. It’s the same thing as coaching the guys, it’s just not celebrated the same.”

The focus shifted when he returned in 1988 after three seasons as head coach of the Chicago Hustle, a short-lived professional women’s team, and as an associate head coach at Loyola.

The team had scholarships and he left them with a good class Doug Bruno of recruits. He returned to a team that had recently won the NIT tournament and they looked towards the NCAA tournament. He had learned while he was away and was a more complete coach.

“Most coaches, when they’re young, think they’re smart when they’re really dumb,” he said.

“While you’re going through your young and dumb stage and winning only by defending and rebounding, you start developing.”

His teams had an offensive plan and went to the NCAA tournament six of seven years in the nineties. Then the goal of the 2000s was to maintain success but also build a more complete program. It meant a couple of down years record-wise but after 1998 they’ve had a winning season every single year.

“The goal was to do it with players who viewed the whole picture: academics, service, and

“It’s not about the gender, it’s about the human being that is the athlete.”

basketball,” he said.

In 2015 there are still accomplishments that elude DePaul and Bruno. They’ve never been to the Final Four; they haven’t even been past the Sweet Sixteen.

The upper echelon of teams such as Connecticut, Notre Dame, Baylor, and less recently Tennessee still remain a level DePaul strives for. Bruno said they’re not there yet, but he also feels they’re getting closer. He points to when they almost knocked off then No. 2 Notre Dame in December 2014, but poor free throw shooting down the stretch kept them from upsetting the Fighting Irish. But they are close, and the drive for setting and reaching goals rubs off on his players.

“I think it makes it easy to come to practice every day and work hard,” Junior guard Jessica January said. “The pressure we do offensively and defensively can be taxing, physically and mentally, but when you have someone who has so much knowledge and experience with the game, all you can do is be grateful you’re a part of it.”

The 30-year milestone doesn’t mean much to him since he’s more focused on what he calls the “day-to-day grind,” and trying to make the program better. After all, focusing too much on the milestones hasn’t gotten DePaul women’s basketball to where it’s at. It’s all about the future and now Bruno is looking at the biggest competitive prize.

“If you look at this, we’re right there,” he said. “70s was scholarships for women, achieved.

80s, was NIT. Achieved. 90s was the NCAA tournament. Achieved.

2000s was making the program whole. Achieved. Now we’re looking at the Final Four and that’s where we’re at.”

GEOFF STELLFOX | THE DEPAULIA

Junior guard Jessica January was named a captain for 2015-16.

Jenkins and January step into leadership roles

By Ben Gartland Sports Editor

Junior guard Jessica January is the latest member of women’s basketball to be named a captain, joining senior guard Chanise Jenkins.

Jenkins represents the present leadership, while January has grown into the future.

“I think (January) grown into a leader more so by her actions,” Jenkins said. “Her freshman year it took her some time to get out of her shell and even more so last year but this year shes’s really opening up. She’s laughing more, she’s joking more. It’s a side of her we haven’t really seen and it’s refreshing.”

January started all 35 games for the Blue Demons as a sophomore, averaging 11.6 points and 28.2 minutes a game. This year she looks to take a step forward both as a player and as a leader.

“Either way, as an upperclassman you should be a leader,” January said. “It also helps that we have (Jenkins) and (senior forward Megan Podkowa) who lead without even trying so it’s easier for me to step into that role.

For Jenkins, being officially named a captain this season is like giving a title to a role she felt she was already doing.

“It feels great and I certainly embrace it,” Jenkins said. “Even though I wasn’t officially named a captain last year, it’s still like an official duty of a point guard to be a leader and I think a title doesn’t mean anything but it is my priority and job to lead this team.”

Jenkins was also a team captain of the United States national team during the 2015 University Games in South Korea, where she helped the United States to a gold medal victory.

2015-2016 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

30 FOR 30

Doug Bruno enters his 30th season with the question: what’s next?

Schulte ready to explode

The new leadership

Bruno’s 30-year legacy

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