ST. THOMAS, USVI - After the Bears and Eagles tangled at Soldier Field on Sunday night, Chicago and Philadelphia square off again with the Hawks and Blue Demons in the consolation game of the Paradise Jam. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. AT (5 p.m. CT) start and is the third of four games on Monday at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center. Following the DePaul-Saint Joseph's game is the championship game between No. 10/11 Tennessee and No. 7/7 Purdue.
Both games on Monday night can be seen on Fox College Sports (FCS). Dan McLaughlin and Larry Conley handle the television call with Samantha Steele serving as the sideline reporter.
Laurence Holmes (play-by-play) and Stephen Howard (analyst) will call all of the action from the Virgin Islands on www.depaulbluedemons.com. In-game scoring updates and notes can also be found at www.twitter.com/depaulsid.
Following the Paradise Jam, the Blue Demons return to Chicago to host Detroit at Allstate Arena on Nov. 28. The Titans are the first half of a two-game homestand that ends with Alabama State visiting Rosemont on Dec. 2. DePaul plays its first true road game on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Vanderbilt.
Been Here Before: DePaul head coach Jerry Wainwright has a distinct connection to the U.S. Virgin Islands as he recruited USVI native Tim Duncan while he was an assistant coach at Wake Forest. Duncan went on to an All-American career at Wake Forest and multiple MVP honors in the NBA. In talking about Wainwright, Duncan commented, "Looking back at my career, especially in college, Coach Wainwright is one of the greatest coaches I've ever been involved with. He is a great motivator who strikes a perfect balance in his coaching and teaching. He coaches his players to be sound on the court and teaches them to grow as men away from basketball. I am so happy that we have stayed in touch over the years and I consider him a friend."
Busy On and Off the Floor: In addition to opening the season this week with four games in seven days, DePaul University is also in the midst of final exams for the Autumn quarter. DePaul's Assistant Director of Academic Advising Tracy Moss has been busy administering nine exams in the Virgin Islands between team meetings, practices and games. Following the exam period, the Blue Demons return to class the week of Jan. 4.
Noting the Blue Demons: The men's basketball program is 1,359-815 (.625) all-time... the Blue Demons have knocked down at least one three-pointer in 493 straight games... DePaul's last game without a three was Feb. 16, 1993 against UAB at Allstate Arena... Will Walker has started 36 straight games... the win over Columbia in the season opener ended an 18-game losing streak in regular-season games... in three of Jerry Wainwright's four seasons at DePaul, the Blue Demons have defeated at least one top 25 opponent... DePaul has played its first home game on Nov. 17 in each of the last four seasons.
Opponent No. 4 - Saint Joseph's Hawks: Saint Joseph's is coming off a loss to Purdue in the Paradise Jam semifinals and hold a 3-1 record this season... the Hawks return three starters and 10 players from last season's squad that finished with a 17-15 record... Darrin Govens is the top returning scorer with 12.5 points per game last season... Idris Hillard added 9.2 points and team-high 5.5 rebounds per game while 2008-09 A-10 All-Defensive Team members Garrett Williamson is back... Williamson averaged 6.1 points, 4.5 assists and 3.7 rebounds with 49 steals and 38 blocked shots... in addition to playing DePaul, Saint Joseph's also faces Big 5 rival Villanova of the BIG EAST... head coach Phil Martelli is in his 15th season at Saint Joseph's.
The Series: Monday is the 16th all-time meeting between the two programs... DePaul holds a 9-6 advantage with Monday serving as the first meeting since Dec. 21, 2002... the Hawks hosted the Blue Demons in that game and prevailed, 65-62.
Against the Atlantic 10: DePaul is 127-118 all-time against the current lineup of Atlantic 10 programs... the last A-10 opponent for the Blue Demons was Saint Louis last season at the Las Vegas Classic... DePaul topped the Billikens, 65-61, on Dec. 22, 2008.
BIG EAST Beast: In most prognosticators eyes, the BIG EAST Conference might not be as strong as a year ago, but the league is flexing its muscles early in the 2009-10 campaign. BIG EAST programs reeled off 41 straight wins to start the 2009-10 season before Providence lost in overtime, 84-75, at Alabama on Friday night.
It Could Happen: Mac Koshwal needs two rebounds for 600 in his career... Will Walker needs two points for 900 in his career.
Demon Doings: Notes following DePaul's 57-53 loss against No. 10/11 Tennessee on Nov. 22:
- DePaul has held opponents to less than 60 points in three straight games for the first time since midway through the 2006-07 season... defeated Kansas, 64-57, on Dec. 2 and Chicago State, 83-55, on Dec. 6 before losing at UAB, 58-57 in overtime on Dec. 9.
- The Blue Demons' last win over a top 10 team was Dec. 2, 2006 against No. 5 Kansas by a 64-57 score... the last win over a ranked opponent was an 84-76 decision on Jan. 3, 2008 against No. 17 Villanova.
- Nate Rogers and Ryan Siggins made their collegiate debuts in the first half.
- The Volunteers were held to nearly half their season scoring average entering the game... in Tennessee's first three games, the Volunteers averaged 104.0 points per game.
- The 57 points were the lowest scoring output in a win for Tennessee since a 47-45 victory at LSU on Feb. 9, 2008.
- Sunday was just the second meeting between the two programs... Tennessee has claimed both meetings.
- DePaul is now 16-31 all-time against teams from the Southeastern Conference.
