I would say many people didn’t know this, but DePaul (yes, the DePaul team that hasn’t been to the Big Dance since 2004) is 8-0. This is the first time since 1986-87 they have started 8-0 and the longest win streak they have had in 26 years. This seems super weird for the average college basketball season, but it still is very early.
How can anyone fathom DePaul in the NCAA Tournament? Crazy. Maybe not realistic. It’s definitely a possibility given where they are usually in the standings during November.
How is DePaul Doing This?
Despite being DePaul, there is a good amount of “synergy” on this veteran team. Led by head coach Dave Leitao, the Blue Demons feature a force to be reckoned with in juniors guard Charlie Moore and forward Paul Reed. This duo produces major offensive outputs for the team.
As a floor general, Moore is selfless with the ball as he averages a team-high 5.9 assists per game. He also is an effective and aggresive scorer leading the team with 16.6 points per game. He compares to the Aldi brand Cassius Winston and could definitely be his long lost brother. The Chicago native made his way back home after previous stints at Cal and Kansas.
On the other hand, Paul Reed is a monster in the paint for this pesky Big East squad. He averages a double-double with 15.9 points and 10.6 boards per contest. Unlike Moore, Reed possesses a tenacity on the block that fuels the team on both sides of the ball.
Aside from Moore and Reed, DePaul has a great supporting cast that has also fueled the success of DePaul’s top 50 defense. Jaylen Butz, Jalen Coleman-Lands, and Romeo Weems are all integral pieces for a Blue Demons squad that is effective on both sides of the floor.
DePaul’s Real Chances
Being in a tough Big East Conference, the Blue Demons are almost always looking up at the rest of the pack. It may take a couple of upsets and a run in their conference tournament to lead them to a potential at-large bid (because we know they aren’t winning their conference championship).
As for non-conference, huge road wins against Iowa, Boston College, and Minnesota have put DePaul in the drivers seat to control their own destiny. Let’s see what happens.