CHICAGO - When Will Walker said this DePaul basketball team does everything together---well, that was borne out last week when the Blue Demons all jumped into the Atlantic Ocean.
Sure, Jeremiah Kelly had several life vests wrapped around him and Mike Stovall was holding onto Director of Basketball Operations Tom Kleinschmidt.
But off they went with their teammates on a catamaran ride and snorkeling adventure during their trip to the Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam tournament.
"Mac Koshwal had the biggest smile on his face," Kleinschmidt said. "All the guys were laughing, joking around, and you could tell they were having the best time."
This all-for-one spirit carried over onto the basketball court as DePaul upset Northern Iowa, nearly upset No. 10 Tennessee and knocked off St. Joseph's to finish in third place.
Up next for DePaul (3-1) is a 1 p.m. Saturday game at Allstate Arena against a Detroit ballclub that's off to a 4-1 start.
"Last year, we played better against the so-called better teams," said DePaul coach Jerry Wainwright. "This year, our intensity hasn't changed in these first four games. Our players are treating every opponent the same."
Detroit has an athletic lineup with a lot of length, led by 6-foot, 10-inch sophomore Eli Holman who is averaging 16.2 points and 11.2 rebounds.
The Titans also feature 6-7 junior Xavier Keeling (13.4 points per game), 6-6 sophomore Chase Simon (13.2 points) and 6-7 senior Thomas Kennedy (8.6 points).
Detroit is averaging 72.6 points per game while DePaul has held opponents to 53.2 a game.
"We really know who we are---more than any other team since I've been here," Wainwright said. "We're lunch-bucket grinders who get after you on defense.
"Our kids really like each other. The Virgin Islands was a great trip on and off the court. It introduced them to a part of the world that they may never have a chance to go back there. And, I think it brought them closer together."
The 6-11 Krys Faber and 6-9 Devin Hill combined for 15 points and 14 rebounds in the 58-51 victory over St. Joseph's. Walker had 25 points and seven rebounds against St. Joe's while continuing to exert his leadership. He has combined with fellow guards Kelly and Michael Bizoukas to spark the defense.
Eric Wallace, Mike Stovall and Mario Stula contributed to the team's success, and Wainwright lauded walk-ons Ryan Siggins and Nate Rogers for their performances in the 57-53 loss to Tennessee and the St. Joseph's game.
"We were decided underdogs against Tennessee," Wainwright said. "But never did our guys feel they were out of place playing a top-10 team.
"But we don't believe in moral victories, and we didn't want to be remembered as the flash-in-the-pan that almost beat Tennessee. I could tell by the looks in their eyes that our players felt the same way going into the St. Joe's game.
"The biggest difference from last year is that these kids are playing our style of basketball."
