DePaul Blue Demons
Overall rank: #27
Conference rank: #5 Big East
DePaul Team Page
A familiar face in college basketball circles, DePaul survived a mediocre showing in a tough Big East Conference and qualified for its 17th NCAA tournament appearance. The Blue Demons made it as far as the second round before they lost to Tennessee and capped a 23-win season. Things look promising for a team that returns four starters, but the question is how well will the Blue Demons fare in a Big East race that seemingly gets tighter year after year? Head Coach Doug Bruno won’t have to do too much rebuilding.
2011-12 record: 23-11, 9-7
2011-12 postseason: NCAA
Coach: Doug Bruno
Coach Record: 550-312 overall, 510-282 at DePaul
Strengths:
Having three double-digit scorers return to the team is a major bonus, especially when one of those starters, Anna Martin, was an honorable-mention Associated Press All-American. Jasmine Penny and Brittany Hrynko also average double digits, and Hrynko turned many heads last year with her intimidating play as a freshman. The fourth returning starter, Katherine Harry, nearly averaged a double-double in scoring and rebounding, helping raise the starters’ average to just over 50 points a game. That will win a lot of contests if DePaul can tack on bench scoring to that. Add a solid recruiting class and DePaul looks poised for another good season.
Weaknesses:
With the loss of Keisha Hampton to season-ending surgery in her senior year, the team loses just over 16 points per game. Although DePaul has plenty of scoring and rebounding back to help out the cause, the Blue Demons can’t seem to find the magic formula when it comes to playing on the road. DePaul went 3-5 in the Big East during road games and 7-5 overall, almost half of the total losses the team suffered in 2011-12. That sixth-place finish in the league also hurts a bit, as it cost DePaul a higher tournament seed.
Final Projection:
DePaul will miss Hampton, but the big picture looks quite promising. With over 50 points of scoring back for 2012-13, the Blue Demons should make an upward climb in the league standings. The problem is other teams like St. John’s, Notre Dame and Louisville will be a big challenge for DePaul to overcome in league play. I foresee DePaul upping the win total to 25 and possibly earning a longer trip in the NCAA tournament, perhaps to a regional semifinal. With so much talent back from last season, a better finish is not out of the question.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Anna Martin, Senior, Guard, 19.1 points per game, Honorable-mention All-American
Jasmine Penny, Junior, Forward, 11.4 points, 56 percent field-goal shooting
Brittany Hrynko, Sophomore, Guard, 10.8 points as freshman, 4.3 rebounds
Katherine Harry, Senior, Forward, 9.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, Honorable-mention Big East
Megan Rogowski, Sophomore, Guard, 37.9 percent from 3-point range
