Basketball Preview 2012-2013

The DePaulia |

2012-2013 Basketball Preview

Leaders of the New School Cleveland Melvin and Anna Martin are ready to lead the Blue Demons deep into the postseason.

With young, talented squads by their sides, what’s stopping them?

See page 4

blood Inside: Young Back page

Women’s preview Page 7

Men’s preview Page 3

2 | The DePaulia. November 8, 2012

DePaul Men’s ‘12-13 Schedule 11/09/12 11/15/12 11/17/12 11/20/12 11/21/12 11/27/12 11/30/12 12/05/12 12/09/12 12/12/12 12/16/12 12/22/12 12/29/12 01/02/13 01/05/13 01/08/13 01/15/13 01/19/13 01/26/13 01/30/13 02/02/13 02/05/13 02/09/13 02/13/13 02/16/13 02/20/13 02/23/13 02/27/13 03/03/13 03/06/13 03/09/13

vs. UC Riverside vs. Gardner-Webb vs. Austin Peay vs. Wichita State TBA vs. Fairfield at Auburn vs. Chicago State vs. Milwaukee at Arizona State vs. Northern Illinois vs. UMBC vs. Loyola-Chicago vs. Seton Hall at Providence at Connecticut vs. Cincinnati vs. St. John’s at Pittsburgh at St. John’s vs. Notre Dame vs. Villanova at Marquette at Notre Dame vs. Rutgers at Georgetown vs. Connecticut vs. Louisville at USF at Syracuse vs. Pittsburgh

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2011-12 record: 26-11, 12-6 Big East (5th) Head Coach: Mick Cronin (7th season) Key Players: Sean Kilpatrick (G, 14.3 ppg), Cashmere Wright (G, 10.9 ppg, 4.6 apg) 2011-12 record: 20-14, 8-10 Big East (9th) Head Coach: Kevin Ollie (1st season) Key Players: Shabazz Napier (G, 13.0 ppg, 5.8 apg), Ryan Boatright (G, 10.4 ppg) 2011-12 record: 12-19, 3-15 Big East (16th) Head Coach: Oliver Purnell (3rd season) Key Players: Cleveland Melvin (F, 17.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg, All-Big East 2nd Team), Brandon Young (G, 14.5 ppg, 4.7 apg) 2011-12 record: 24-9, 12-6 Big East (5th) Head Coach: John Thompson III (9th season) Key Players: Otto Porter (F, 9.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg), Markel Starks (G, 7.1 ppg) 2011-12 record: 30-10, 10-8 Big East (7th) Head Coach: Rick Pitino (12th season) Key Players: Petyon Siva (G, 9.1 ppg, 5.6 apg), Gorgui Dieng (C, 9.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg) 2011-12 record: 27-8, 14-4 Big East (2nd) Head Coach: Buzz Williams (5th season) Key Players: Vander Blue (G, 8.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg), Junior Cadougan (G, 6.3 ppg) 2011-12 record: 22-12, 13-5 Big East (3rd) Head Coach: Mike Brey (13th season) Key Players: Jack Cooley (F, 12.3 ppg, 8.9 rpg), Jerian Grant (G, 12.3 ppg) 2011-12 record: 22-17, 5-13 Big East (13th) Head Coach: Jamie Dixon (10th season) Key Players: Tray Woodall (G, 11.7 ppg, 6.1 apg), Lamar Patterson (F, 9.6 ppg)

--- Big East Women’s Rundown --2011-12 record: 16-16, 6-10 Big East (11th) Head Coach: Jamelle Elliott (4th season) Key Players: Dayeesha Hollins (G, 18.1 ppg), Kayla Cook (G, 6.1 ppg) 2011-12 record: 33-5, 13-3 Big East (3rd) Head Coach: Geno Auriemma (28th season) Key Players: Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (F, 15.0 ppg), Bria Hartley (G, 14.0 ppg) 2011-12 record: 23-11, 9-7 Big East (8th) Head Coach: Doug Bruno (27th season) Key Players: Anna Martin (G/F, 19.1 ppg, led Big East in scoring), Katherine Harry (F, 9.5 rpg, led Big East in rebounding) 2011-12 record: 23-9, 11-5 Big East (4th) Head Coach: Keith Brown (1st season) Key Players: Sugar Rodgers (G, 18.5 ppg), Sydney Wilson (C, 3.2 ppg) 2011-12 record: 23-10, 11-2 Big East (7th) Head Coach: Jeff Walz (6th season) Key Players: Shoni Schimmel (G, 14.3 ppg, 4.7 apg), Bria Smith (G, 9.2 ppg) 2011-12 record: 14-17, 4-12 Big East (14th) Head Coach: Terri Mitchell (17th season) Key Players: Katherine Plouffe (F, 13.5 ppg), Arlesia Morse (G, 11.2 ppg) 2011-12 record: 35-4, 15-1 Big East (1st) Head Coach: Muffet McGraw (26th season) Key Players: Skylar Diggins (G, 16.8 ppg), Kayla McBride (G, 11.6 ppg) 2011-12 record: 8-22, 0-16 Big East (16th) Head Coach: Agnus Berenato (10th season) Key Players: Brianna Kiesel (G, 13.6 ppg), Ashlee Anderson (G, 10.6 ppg)

2011-12 record: 13-17, 5-11 Big East (13th) Head Coach: Susan Robinson Fruchtl (1st season) Key Players: Symone Roberts (G, 8.2 ppg), Brianna Edwards (F, 2.4 ppg) 2011-12 record: 22-10, 10-6 Big East (6th) Head Coach: C. Vivian Stringer (18th season) Key Players: Monique Oliver (F/C, 11.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg), Erica Wheeler (G, 8.6 ppg) 2011-12 record: 24-10, 13-3 Big East (2nd) Head Coach: Joe Tartamella (1st season) Key Players: Shenneika Smith (G 12.5 ppg), Nadirah McKenith (G, 12.1 ppg) 2011-12 record: 8-23, 1-15 Big East (15th) Head Coach: Anne Donovan (3rd season) Key Players: Brittany Morris (G, 11.0 ppg)

2011-12 record: 19-16, 8-8 Big East (9th) Head Coach: Jose Fernandez (13th season) Key Players: Inga Orekhova (G, 13.0 ppg), Tiffany Connor (F, 5.9 rpg) 2011-12 record: 22-15, 6-10 Big East (12th) Head Coach: Quentin Hillsman (7th season) Key Players: Kayla Alexander (C, 14.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg), Carmen Tyson-Thomas (G, 10.6 ppg) 2011-12 record: 19-15, 6-10 Big East (10th) Head Coach: Harry Perretta (35th season) Key Players: Laura Sweeney (F, 14.4 ppg), Rachel Roberts (G, 8.6 ppg) Cover Photos by GRANT MYATT | The DePaulia

2011-12 record: 15-17, 4-14 Big East (15th) Head Coach: Ed Cooley (2nd season) Key Players: Vincent Council (G, 15.9 ppg, 7.5 apg) 2011-12 record: 14-18, 6-12 Big East (11th) Head Coach: Mike Rice (3rd season) Key Players: Eli Carter (G, 13.8 ppg), Dane Miller (F, 7.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg) 2011-12 record: 13-19, 6-12 Big East (12th) Head Coach: Steve Lavin (3rd season) Key Players: D’Angelo Harrison (G, 17.0 ppg), Phil Greene (G, 7.6 ppg, 3.0 apg) 2011-12 record: 21-13, 8-10 Big East (10th) Head Coach: Kevin Willard (3rd season) Key Players: Fuquan Edwin (G/F, 12.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg), Aaron Crosby (G, 7.9 ppg) 2011-12 record: 22-14, 12-6 Big East (6th) Head Coach: Stan Heath (6th season) Key Players: Anthony Collins (G, 9.0 ppg, 3.4 apg), Jawanza Poland (G, 8.0 ppg) 2011-12 record: 34-3, 17-1 Big East (1st) Head Coach: Jim Boeheim (37th season) Key Players: Brandon Triche (G, 9.4 ppg), James Southerland (F, 8.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg) 2011-12 record: 13-19, 5-13 Big East (14th) Head Coach: Jay Wright (12th season) Key Players: Mouphtaou Yarou (C, 11.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg)

DePaul Women’s ‘12-13 Schedule 11/09/12 11/10/12 11/17/12 11/19/12 11/22/12 11/23/12 11/24/12 12/02/12 12/07/12 12/11/12 12/15/12 12/18/12 12/21/13 12/28/13 01/05/13 01/09/13 01/12/13 01/15/13 01/19/13 01/22/13 01/29/13 02/02/13 02/06/13 02/10/13 02/12/13 02/17/13 02/24/13 02/26/13 03/02/13 03/04/13

vs. Nicholls State TBA vs. Howard vs. Yale vs. Florida Gulf Coast vs. Hampton vs. South Carolina vs. Northwestern at Kentucky vs. Milwaukee vs. Northern Illinois at Loyola-Chicago vs. Princeton vs. Oral Roberts vs. Louisville at Villanova vs. USF at Syracuse vs. Providence at Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh at Marquette vs. Seton Hall at Connecticut vs. Rutgers at Louisville vs. Notre Dame vs. Georgetown at Pittsburgh at St. John’s

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Basketball Preview. November 8, 2012. The DePaulia | 3

------------- The Men’s Squad ------------Cleveland Melvin - F #12, junior

PPG 17.5

RPG 7.4

BPG 1.1

Worrel Clahar - G #0, senior

Brandon Young - G #20, junior

PPG RPG APG PPG RPG 14.5 2.6 4.7 9.0 2.5 DeJuan Marrero - F Edwind McGhee - G #1, freshman #2, junior

PPG RPG (HS) PPG RPG APG 20 14 6.0 1.5 2.0 Charles McKinney - G Durrell McDonald - G #32, sophomore #25, freshman

PPG RPG APG 4.2 2.2 1.4

Moses Morgan - F #15, junior

PPG RPG 0.6 0.6 Peter Ryckbosch - F #30, freshman

PPG RPG APG (HS) PPG RPG (HS) 21.2 6.6 3.8 n/a n/a

With a talented core and renewed focus on defense, the men’s team is prepared to climb the Big East ranks

By DAVID WEBBER Assistant Sports Editor It’s been a tough few years for the men’s basketball team. The Blue Demons haven’t made an appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2004 and over the last seven years, the team has a cumulative record of 79-138, including a 25-97 mark in conference play.

But in 2012, the optimism has never been higher. With a fresh crop of new players and the return of several key veterans, Head Coach Oliver Purnell’s squad is hoping to improve and finish the year in the top half of the Big East Conference.

DePaul demolished Seton Hall 86-58 in the season finale last year, a rousing victory that Purnell hopes will provide confidence and momentum.

Jamee Crockett - F #21, sophomore

PPG APG 8.6 1.0 Jodan Price - G/F #3, freshman

PPG RPG (HS) 11.3 4.4 Stuart Pirri - F #34, senior

Donnavan Kirk - F #23, junior

RPG APG PPG RPG BPG 2.2 1.2 3.5 4.0 1.4 Derrell Robertson, Jr. - C Cory Dolins - G #10, sophomore #13, freshman

PPG RPG BPG 0.8 1.4 0.7 Montray Clemons - F #35, freshman

PPG RPG APG (Rice) PPG 0.2 0.2 0.2 n/a

Movin’ on up

RPG (injury) n/a

PPG RPG (HS) n/a n/a Oliver Purnell Head Coach

Photos courtesy of DePaul Athletics

come to fruition. The Blue Demons won five more games in 2011 than in Purnell’s first year and won their most conference games since the 2007-2008 season. Juniors Cleveland Melvin and Brandon Young have improved steadily and are now the leaders of a team that, for the first time, is made up completely of players handpicked by Purnell and his staff.

Young averaged 14.5 points per game last season and is relishing his role as a veteran leader.

“You know, me being the starting point guard, I’ve learned a lot since my freshman and sophomore years,” said Young.

“Now that I’m a junior, I know what to tell these young guys and let them know what to expect. I just try to go out there and lead the best way that I can.”

While the improvement has been significant, there is still much work to be done. The Blue Demons are a very small GRANT MYATT | The DePaulia team – their tallest player is 6-foot-10-inch Jamee Crockett and the Blue Demons look to improve their defense in ‘12-13. sophomore Derrell Robertson, Jr. – and “We played really well at the end of the better,” said Purnell. they will be tested against the huge inteyear, and now with some carryover with Purnell is entering his third year at rior players from teams like Syracuse and the influx of some new guys, some talent, the helm of DePaul basketball and his Louisville. some athleticism, I think we’ll be much vision for the team is finally starting to See MEN'S BASKETBALL, page 6

4 | The DePaulia. November 8, 2012

Leaders of the new

By MIKE CHAMERNIK & MATT PARAS Senior Writers

With the Blue Demons’ 2012-2013 season kicking off, key members of the men’s and women’s team committed themselves this offseason in one particular area – leadership.

Head coaches Oliver Purnell and Doug Bruno were instrumental in the development of being a leader, players said. For the men, Cleveland Melvin and Brandon Young focused on connecting with their run-n-gun system, while Anna Martin and Katherine Harry set examples for the five new players on the women’s team.

“We’re ready, staying focused, playing hard and looking to win some games this year,” said Young. “I expect big things from this team.

“Everybody has their focus on being on top, being the number one team, and just winning more games and getting to that tournament,” said Young. “I can see that [focus] in a lot of people on this team.”

Last season, the men’s team struggled with a 12-19 record and finished in last place in the Big East Conference. The team jumped out to a promising 9-4 start, but went 3-15 in conference play.

However, it was an improvement over the 2010-2011 season, when the team went just 7-24. That season was the first under Purnell and the Melvin-Young duo.

Now heading into their third season, Purnell is doing his best

to help his players grow.

“All of those guys, the questions I ask [the leaders on team] is ‘what does it take to be the best? What does it take to be where you are?” said Purnell. “I simply try to talk to those guys about those things, work ethic, reps and being the first in the gym and the last out.”

Purnell identified Young, Melvin, and fellow junior Moses Morgan as leaders.

“They’ve had a lot of experience, and I think that experience alone helped make them wiser players,” said Purnell. “They’re gym rats. They’re always in the gym getting extra shooting, extra ball handling, getting the individual workouts that we give them.

And as a result, their basic abilities have gotten a lot better.”

Melvin said that Purnell “tells me all the time to stay in the game and work on what I need to work on.”

For the women’s squad, Bruno stressed setting examples for the younger players.

Last season, seniors Anna Martin and Katherine Harry had to set up and take leadership roles because of injuries that forced the team to have only seven active players, eventually dubbed the “Magnificent Seven” by Bruno.

“Coach always talks about senior, top-down leadership, but he’s never one to say if you’re an underclassmen, you can’t be a leader,” said Harry.

As they were forced to step up, Martin and Harry had seasons to remember. Martin nearly doubled her career scoring average by

putting up 19.1 points per game, while Harry also gr high 9.6 rebounds per game, both Big East-leading “It’s just about maturing more,” said Martin. “Fr more year to my junior year, I kind of understood getting better on your own and pushing yourself.

“I think Coach did a great job of keeping thin trol,” said Martin. “We couldn’t control it. We cou about it. We just had to play.”

To prepare for this season, Martin spent her tim drills. She also tried tuning the mental portion of he “There were times last year where I caught m do too much,” said Martin. “I think this year being leader, hopefully I’ll eliminate more of that.”

Other members on both teams spent the offse tune their individual games.

“I’ve been working on more of my outside Melvin. “As a big man, I take my inside game and just kind of switch it up sometimes.”

His teammates, Young and Morgan, worked o games as well. Young focused specifically on his ju Morgan worked more on his dribbling and pump fa On the women’s team, Harry worked on he while junior Jasmine Penny worked on playing with tempo.

The improvements have left Purnell hopeful t pete in the Big East. Under Purnell’s two years

Basketball Preview. November 8, 2012. The DePaulia | 5

Photos by GRANT MYATT | The DePaulia

(Opposite page, from left) - Anna Martin returns in 2012-13 as the Big East’s reigning leader in scoring with 19.1 points per game last season.

- Cleveland Melvin rises for a dunk during a game last season. Melvin was named to the All-Big East Preseason Second Team, Oct. 17.

(This page, clockwise from top) - Brandon Young was the Blue Demons’ second-leading scorer last season at 14.5 points per game.

- Katherine Harry led the Big East last season with 9.6 rebounds per game, ranked 38th in the country.

- Moses Morgan (#15) and Charles McKinney trapping a defender in the backcourt in a game last season.

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men’s team has gone 4-32 in conference play.

“I think we’ve gone through a lot of growing pains,” said Purnell. “I think in the third year we’ve all been here is that year we can get up in the middle of the Big East. Once you’re in the middle of the Big East anything can happen, as evident by UConn two years ago, who finished 10th in our league and then went on to win the national championship.

“We want to get up in the middle and compete and win in the best league in the country, and that’s a big challenge,” said Purnell. “But this group, with that leadership group of Cleve, Brandon, and Moses, is ready for that.”

Even the women’s squad struggled somewhat in the Big East last year, going 9-7 compared to a 13-3 conference record the previous year. This, however, was due more to the fact that they were hampered significantly by injuries, lacking numbers off the bench.

Martin said that the team’s only focus is taking the season one game at a time, but “when you’re playing every day in practice you’ll hear Coach reference ‘Big East players won’t let you do that.’ You always know in the back of your head that the Big East is a beast and is approaching,” said Martin. “We always want to be prepared for that.”

Regardless, the expectations put on by themselves for both teams are very high.

“Things are looking good so far,” said Melvin. “We’ve just gotta keep it up.”

"LOWER RIMS" continued from back page time finishing around the basket at 7-feet tall than his female counterpart, who might be a foot shorter.

Senior forward Katherine Harry led the Big East in rebounding last year at 9.5 boards per game. She feels that a lower rim could have a significant impact on the low post game.

“The trajectory of the ball would change a lot. I try to read the shot off of the player’s hand and also coming off of the rim,” said Harry, who is listed at 6-feet-3-inches. “Obviously it would change the ball coming off the rim a lot.

“It’s hard to say if the shooting percentages would be higher,” said Harry. “Offensive rebounding would be interesting because you’d be right there when you get the ball and really just be able to drop it back in.”

Bruno also highlighted the differences in shooting styles between the men’s and women’s games. He said that men rise up and shoot, and can hang in the air while they shoot. Women do not tend to hang and shoot, and they have a more limited range when doing so compared to men.

Senior guard/forward Anna Martin was not sure if shooting would be easier on a lower rim, but did say that it would take a fair amount of

adjustment.

“You’re so used to this rim and you’ve put years into shooting on this goal,” said Martin, who led the Big East in scoring with 19.1 points per game last season. “You would not necessarily have to alter your shot, but there’s years that have gone into this, so it’d probably be the same thing for another goal.”

Bruno said that the idea for lower rims in the ‘70s was met with “an irritated resistance, because of a mental concept of ‘I can do anything a guy can do.’”

Yet given all the differences between male and female sports already, this mindset does not feel prevalent today.

“I thought it was an interesting point. With more thought put into it, I think it would be something cool for the future,” said Martin.

“There’s little changes in a lot of the games if you look at, like, baseball and softball. I didn’t find it offensive at all.”

Though Martin is open to the possibility of lower rims, she agreed with junior forward Jasmine Penny that the game is fine right now.

“I like the game how it is,” said Penny. “I don’t think anything needs to be changed for there to be more excitement.”

6 | The DePaulia. November 8, 2012

"MEN’S BASKETBALL" continued from page 3 In addition, DePaul must improve on the defensive end. The Blue Demons were a dismal 326th in the nation in points allowed per game last year and the players now seem to have bought in to Purnell’s defensive philosophy.

“Right now we’re in a defensive mini-camp in practice, so we’ve just been focusing on defense,” said Melvin following the team’s open practice Oct. 13. “Everybody on the team understands that defense is the most important thing in basketball. If you play defense, your offense will follow and you can win a lot more games in the Big East.”

“The first few days in practice, all we’ve done is defense,” said Purnell. “We haven’t done anything offensively except for warmup. We’ve really been working on the fundamentals of our man-to-man defense – we haven’t even put in pressure yet. A huge part of the fundamentals in man-to-man is defensive rebounding.”

Depth has also been an issue in recent years for DePaul, but there are currently 16 players on the roster and Purnell has more ways to divvy up minutes than he has in the past. This should be welcome news to Melvin and Young, who both averaged over 30 minutes per game last season.

The Blue Demons are far from a finished product but there is no question that this is Purnell’s most talented squad to date. Even though star recruit DeJuan Marrero will miss the season due to a torn ACL, there are fewer holes in the roster than ever. That gives Melvin and his teammates confidence as the start of the season nears.

“I think we’re going to be a better team as far as our record,” said Melvin. “I think we’re going to win more games in the Big East and move up a few spots.”

Purnell is taking the optimism a step further.

“We can get up in the middle of [the Big East] and really be competitive and continue to get better at the end of the year. We’re going have a chance to do some things in postseason play.”

"INJURY" continued from back page

“If these guys can have similar injuries and come back strong,” said Clemons, “then I can.”

While Clemons is back in action at practice, he still has yet to participate in a full scrimmage, and did not play in Saturday’s exhibition game against Lewis. Head coach Oliver Purnell hopes to have Clemons at full strength for the first game Nov. 15, though. He was missed last year when other players, like Donnavan Kirk and Moses Morgan, missed games due to injury, leaving DePaul’s frontcourt thin.

Since Clemons is close to returning, he has advised Marrero how to return to health.

“There’s going to be days where you don’t feel like working,” said Clemons, “but just stay strong and stay positive. And I told him if you ever need someone to talk to, you know you can talk to me because I just went through the same thing.”

Marrero is awaiting his knee surgery Nov. 27. The operation will be performed by Dr. Brian Cole of Rush University, who not only worked on Clemons, but also repaired Rose’s torn ACL earlier this year.

As for the rest of the season, Marrero will watch the action from the sidelines, taking mental notes while staying close to his teammates.

“By working hard on his rehab and by watching, learning and asking questions,” said Purnell, “and at the same time being a great cheerleader and motivator for the rest of our guys, I think he can have a very positive effect on our program.”

DANA LENCKUS | The DePaulia “I’m in good care, in good hands here at Montray Clemons working out on an exercise bike, DePaul,” said Marrero. “I just have faith all sitting out full scrimmages at the men’s team’s open throughout the way, and keep working hard at practice, Oct. 13. whatever I do.”

"FRESHMEN" continued from back page commodities to a team already stocked with athleticism.

Joining McDonald, teammate Peter Ryckbosch is also adapting well due to the support from his coaches, working in the post as one of a handful of big bodies on the 2012-2013 squad.

“Our post coach has helped me really well. He lets me know it is okay to make mistakes. I am still learning how to play in college,” said Ryckbosch, a 6-foot-9-inch forward. “I have to be patient with myself because I am not always going to make a block, I am going to make mistakes.”

With a small grace period before the schedule ramps up in difficulty, Ryckbosch and the men’s basketball team have some time to learn from their mistakes, but know they need to work hard on a consistent basis to achieve their goals.

Similar to the men’s team, women’s head coach Doug Bruno and the rest of his staff have recruited a group of freshmen with heavy talent.

“I’m excited about our freshman class,” said Bruno. “The freshman class is a really solid class, I really like them a lot, and I think they’re all going to have a great impact here at DePaul before they finish.”

The women’s team’s

(From left): Megan Podkowa, Cory Dolins and Brooke Schulte. newcomers, just like the men, are in are enthusiastic about bringing their the midst of learning the fast pace of talents to the women’s team and to college basketball. be playing for Bruno.

“High school practice is more “I feel accomplished because laid back and you can take your Coach Bruno was able to watch time to understand everything,” said and coach these girls play, and he 5-foot-9-inch guard Brooke Schulte. recruited me,” said Harvey-Carr, “Coaches in college, it is one thing in reference to the U.S. Women’s after another – they want to get as Olympic Team on which Bruno many drills in as possible and they served as an assistant coach. want you to have your game-like Having been recruited by a welleffort every single time.” respected college coach in Bruno, Schulte and her roommates Harvey-Carr and Schulte know that and freshmen teammates – Brandi even as first-year players, there is Harvey-Carr and Megan Podkowa – still much expected of them.

"WOMEN'S BASKETBALL" continued from page 7

berth, and others anxious to just get their collegiate careers underway.

As for the Magnificent Seven era, its time has come and gone. The moment DePaul walked off the court at Allstate Arena after its loss to Tennessee, the upcoming season was already in motion.

“That’s history,” said Bruno. “That’s what’s great about basketball is it’s a new season and this year’s team has to write its own page.

“College basketball moves so much faster than in pro sports, because year after year even one key player change can affect the entire team,” said Bruno. “It’s always a dynamic of what’s coming back in every little hamlet across the country – some might bring everyone back, some have 30 percent, some have 50 percent. That’s really what college basketball’s all about.”

While the Blue Demons will be without Hampton, Mulchrone, Ortiz and Pikes this season, all graduating seniors last year, a fresh crop of newcomers – Brandi Harvey-Carr, Megan Podkowa and Brooke Schulte – enter to support and learn from the team’s veterans. Six-foot-four forward Kelsey Smith, who enrolled with the team in January, will be

Photos by GRANT MYATT | The DePaulia

“At points my head is spinning because it is a lot of information to take in,” said Schulte. “But you just have to take a step back and know that you are a level up from high school. You have to accept that and know that you have to earn your position and nothing is given to you.”

The women’s basketball team is coming off a 9-7 Big East conference record and reached their 9th straight NCAA tournament last season and like the men’s team, is expected to go even further this

season with their new additions.

Despite the freshmen dealing with the increased speed of the game, longer practices and tougher opponents than they are used to -which may be overwhelming -- the newcomers are learning that nothing beats progress.

“You always have to keep your spirit up even though you’re freshman,” said Harvey-Carr, “and remember that the coaches are here to help you and not to put you down.”

available to play following the autumn quarter.

“Three or four could be the highest place we could be picked in the Big East,” said Bruno. “That’s what I’m thinking as I take a look around the league, and it’s a great conference. But that’s prognostication, that’s prediction. There’s just a lot of unknowns.”

One certainty is that under Bruno, this year’s Blue Demons squad will give it everything they have to claim the program’s 18th straight NCAA Tournament berth.

Yet despite returning 86 percent of its “magnificent” group and bringing in a handful of new talent, the Blue Demons were ranked the 25th and last team on the first 20122013 AP Poll and left completely off the USA Today Coaches Poll.

But is this something that concerns Bruno, Olympic champion and one of the best coaches in college basketball? Hardly.

“Rankings are previews, but we’re always concerned with our reviews,” said Bruno.

“Whenever we’re ranked in preseason, we have to caution the team about being overly stuck on themselves based on a prognostication – the facts of the matter are what we do that gets us in the right position at the end of the season are most important. True rankings happen on the floor.”

Basketball Preview. November 8, 2012. The DePaulia | 7

------------- The Women’s Squad ------------Anna Martin - F #5, senior

Katherine Harry - F #51, senior

Jasmine Penny - F #31, junior

Brittany Hrynko - G #12, sophomore

PPG 19.1

PPG 9.3

PPG 11.4

PPG RPG 10.8 4.3

RPG 4.0

APG 3.3

RPG 9.6

BPG 1.4

RPG 4.6

BPG 1.3

Megan Rogowski - G #21, sophomore

APG 3.9

PPG 6.0

RPG 2.4

APG 1.0

Alexa Gallagher - F #3, freshman

Chanise Jenkins - G #13, freshman

Kelsey Reynolds - G #20, junior

Brooke Schulte - G #22, freshman

Centrese McGee - G #23, junior

PPG RPG (injury) n/a n/a

PPG RPG APG (2 gms.)

7.0 3.0 4.0

PPG RPG APG 3.5 1.8 1.2

PPG RPG (HS) n/a n/a

PPG RPG (redshirt Illinois) n/a n/a

By JULIAN ZENG Sports Editor

Megan Podkowa - G/F #30, freshman

Brandi Harvey-Carr - F #44, freshman

Kelsey Smith - F #54, junior

PPG RPG BPG (HS) 18.0 10.0 2.2

PPG RPG BPG (HS) 21.0 18.0 7.0

PPG RPG (transfer) n/a n/a

Doug Bruno Head Coach

Strength in Numbers

As the women’s basketball team took to the court for their annual open practice at McGrath-Phillips Arena Oct. 13, it was an unusual sight to see a full roster of players engaged in various drills and catching their breath between rotations.

This is due in large part to the efforts of the 2011-2012 Blue Demons, who withstood a number of setbacks to march all the way to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where they eventually lost to the Tennessee Lady Vols 63-48. With a bench rotation of just two players in addition to the requisite five starters, the women’s team’s success was extraordinary.

Dubbed the “Magnificent Seven,” the core group of Anna Martin, Katherine Harry, Jasmine Penny, Brittany Hrynko, Deanna Ortiz, Megan Rogowski and Kelsey Reynolds were, for a majority of the season, the only Blue Demons who touched the floor.

The Blue Demons were hindered by injuries that sidelined a number of

Photos courtesy of DePaul Athletics

out victories and falling in tough losses throughout their arduous Big East conference slate. The starters consistently played over 30 minutes a game, managing their fatigue to get them all the way to the team’s 17th straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

“Last year’s season was all about the players,” said head coach Doug Bruno when discussing being down to only seven players and having them carry the team forward. “The bad news was we lost five really good players last year, All-American players. The good news was everyone got experience a year in advance, so that should definitely carry over to this season.”

The Blue Demons’ success last season was unquestionably a testament to the coaching of Bruno, who enters his 27th season at the helm. Bruno served as assisGRANT MYATT | The DePaulia tant coach to the gold-medal winning Team The Blue Demons return six of last year’s “Magnificent Seven,” and bring in a USA women’s national Olympic team in new crop of players all looking to make an immediate impact.

London over the summer, and returns this players, including seniors Maureen Gallagher and Chanise Jenkins also sat out season to a full team of 13 players – some carryovers hungry for another tourney Mulchrone, Taylor Pikes and, most nota- for most of the 2011-2012 campaign. bly, All-American and eventual WNBA Regardless, the Magnificent Seven draftee Keisha Hampton. Freshmen Alexa battled game after game, fighting to grindSee WOMEN'S BASKETBALL, page 6

Young blood

Basketball Preview. November 8, 2012. The DePaulia | 8

By JODELLE MAGLAYA Contributing Writer

The familiar sound of squeaking shoes on hardwood signals a new season and new beginnings for the men’s and women’s basketball teams. With added freshmen, these newcomers must adapt to the increased speed of basketball, learn new plays, and find ways to help their new teams progress for a successful season.

Five freshmen have been added to the roster for head coach Oliver Purnell’s men’s basketball team: Cory Dolins, DeJuan Marrero, Durrell McDonald, Jodan Price and Peter Ryckbosch. The women have added freshmen Brandi HarveyCarr, Megan Podkowa and Brooke Schulte for head coach Doug Bruno.

The men’s team did suffer an early setback before the season start, with Marrero suffering a torn ACL in practice. Marrero, a 6-foot-5-inch forward from Gary, Ind., was ranked amongst the top high school players in the state as a senior at Bowman Academy.

Fortunately, the remaining four freshmen are physically and mentally healthy and have high hopes for this upcoming season. The men’s team finished with a 3-15 Big East conference record last season.

“I think we are going to surprise a lot of people,” said Cory Dolins, a 6-foot walk-on point guard from Skokie, Ill. “If we play the way we are supposed to play, I think we

Photos by GRANT MYATT | The DePaulia

(Above): Durrell McDonald pressing on defense during the Blue Demons’ win over the Lewis Flyers, Nov. 3.

(Right): Brandi Harvey-Carr flips up a hook shot versus Illinois Wesleyan, Nov. 3. will make the NCAA tournament.”

Dolins is confident he has the capability of bringing his skills to the court, but understands that there is a difference between high school and college basketball.

“The speed of the game is so much faster and you have to adjust to it,” said Dolins.

During these adjustments, upperclassmen, coaches and staff have been helping Dolins, Price – an Indianapolis native – the rest of the freshmen, transition into a new lifestyle. Their first Big East conference game is not until Nov. 30, yet these freshmen are already

meshing well with the rest of the team.

McDonald can attest to this, saying that he has become very comfortable with his teammates and staff.

“At the end of the day, the team is a family,” said McDonald, a 6-foot-1-inch guard. “Every basketball team, I should say, is more of a family, than a team.”

The Las Vegas native said his decision to commit to DePaul was because the program was a great fit for him, a place that could foster his unique style of play and experience living in a big city.

Road to recovery

Marrero tears ACL, begins rehab process

“I like the style of play, I like to get up and down the court a lot,” said McDonald. “And Chicago kind of reminds me of Vegas city-wise.

When I first came on my visit, I felt as though everybody was actually concerned about my well-being here, so it was a great fit for me.”

motion,” said Marrero.

The Blue Demons are familiar with knee injuries. Just last season, fellow forward Montray Clemons ruptured the

By MIKE CHAMERNIK patellar tendon in his Senior Writer left knee, also ending his season before it started.

At first glance, Like Marrero, Clemons DeJuan Marrero doesn’t suffered the ailment in a look too banged up. freakish way – slipping He can get around at a and falling during layups decent pace, albeit slightin 2011’s Blue Madness. ly slower than the average “I just thought my walking speed. He uses knee might have popped crutches but doesn’t sport out of place,” said a limp, and he doesn’t he Clemons. “I could pop have a grimace on his face back in. I got back up and or pain in his voice. walked to the bench like Marrero, a freshman I was fine. But when I on the men’s basketball sat back down I couldn’t team, has a torn ACL bend my leg.” though, and will miss the Clemons has been entire basketball season. working on his comeThe injury happened only back for an entire year. two weeks ago, pulling The second-year freshthe promise of a strong man said that while the debut season right out rehab was important, the from under Marrero’s toughest part was stayfeet. ing mentally tough, findThe injury happened ing the motivation to get in one of the most unexout of bed and make the pected ways possible. effort each day to mend Marrero was running in his knee. an up-tempo transition He was aided not only drill, went up to catch a by DePaul’s medical staff, DANA LENCKUS | The DePaulia pass, and came down with but also by drawing inspiall the weight on his right DeJuan Marrero pre-injury participating in drills ration from pro ballers at the men’s team’s open practice, Oct. 13. knee. with related ailments, like “I felt something The 6-foot-5-inch for- stems, squats and bending Derrick Rose and Blake pop,” Marrero said, “so I ward has spent his days exercises.

Griffin. knew right then and there rehabbing his knee up to “The little stuff right See INJURY, page 6 it was something bad.” three times a day, doing now, to get it back in

As a senior, McDonald averaged 21.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game at Green Valley High School in Henderson, Nev., where he developed speed and jumping abilities at either guard position that will serve as valuable See FRESHMEN, page 6

Lower the rims?

By PETER KELLY Contributing Writer

UConn women’s basketball head coach Geno Auriemma recently sparked an interesting debate when he suggested that rims be lowered by seven inches in women’s basketball.

Auriemma has both critics and supporters on this issue.

DePaul head coach Doug Bruno said that not only is he in favor of this idea, he tried to pitch it to Auriemma years ago.

“When I was suggesting it, he would argue with me ‘nah, nah, nah.’ I never realized that my discussions with him were actually swaying him,” said Bruno, who was assistant coach under Auriemma during the 2012 London Olympics and has coached against him for years.

Auriemma is certainly speaking from a position of profound perspective: he has coached seven national championship teams, won more than 800 games, coached the women’s Olympic team to a gold medal, and is a member of both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

The idea behind this suggestion is that shooting percentages will go up, there will be more play around the rim and that ultimately more fans will be drawn to the women’s game.

Auriemma noted that there are differences in men’s and women’s sports already, such as volleyball nets being seven inches lower in the women’s game.

Bruno has actually been a proponent of this idea for quite some time, and has tested it out in the past.

“I’ve tried it with my pro players in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, and then with pro players in the ‘90s,” said Bruno.

“It’s not been an academic study, with proper academic metrics, but at the same time it’s been a visual study,” said Bruno. “It’s not about the dunk as much as it is about how hard it is for a guy to play on an 11-foot rim.”

There is no doubt that with noticeable differences in height and athleticism, men and women are playing two different games. An NBA center will have a much easier See LOWER RIMS, page 5