DePaul Opens Exhibition Season Tonight
11/6/2003 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
DePaul (0-0) vs. Illinois All-Stars (0-1)
Thursday, November 6, 2003
DePaul Athletic Center – 7:30 p.m.
Exhibitionist
Tonight’s game is the first of two exhibition games that the Blue Demons will play prior to the 2003-04 season. The Blue Demon women’s squad will scrimmage prior to tonight’s game at 5 p.m.
A Look At The Opponent
The Illinois All-Stars are 0-1 after falling to UIC 97-69 last night at the UIC Pavilion. Mac Irvin had a game-high 26 points for the All-Stars while Corey Little added 20.
Leitao Perfect In Exhibition Games
DePaul is 2-0 in exhibition games under second-year head coach Dave Leitao. Last season the Blue Demons beat the EA Sports All-Stars 79-70 as Sam Hoskin and Delonte Holland each tossed in 19 points. The Blue Demons then beat Lewis 65-61 as LeVar Seals pumped in 15 points and Marlon Brooks added 14.
A Look At The Blue Demons
DePaul is coming off a 16-13 season (8-8 in Conference USA) that saw the Blue Demons reach postseason play for the first time in three seasons. DePaul returns four starters (Andre Brown, Quemont Greer, LeVar Seals and Drake Diener) and four more letterwinners (Delonte Holland, Chris Exilus, Marlon Brumfield and Sean Farrell).
Brown Rebounds
Andre Brown is currently tied for 15th on DePaul's all-time list for rebounding average. The 6-9 senior has averaged 7.7 rebounds per game in his first three seasons. He is tied with Bob Zoretich (1965-68) and Kris Hill (1992-94).
Drake For Trey
Drake Diener begins his junior season tied for 15th on DePaul's all-time 3pt. field goals made list with David Booth (1988-92). Diener has converted 65 treys in his career. Diener needs four 3pt. field goals to move into 14th with Andy Laux (1984-88).
Green Is Red
Freshman Wesley Green will undergo shoulder surgery later this month and will sit out the entire 2003-04 season as a redshirt.
Same Face, New Place
There is a new, yet familiar, face on the Blue Demon bench this season. Joe Tulley is in his first season as the Director of Basketball Operations. Tulley finished his playing career last season and is sixth in DePaul history in 3pt. field goals made with 119.
Farrell Studies Abroad
DePaul will be without the services of junior Sean Farrell until mid-December. Farrell is studying abroad in Dublin, Ireland during the fall quarter.
New C-USA Format
Conference USA men's basketball will have a new look next season. The league announced on October 30 that it will change its current two-division alignment in men’s basketball and go to a 14-team division. Each school will play each other for a total of 13 games. Additionally, three "mirror games" will be added to each team’s schedule, based on geography, rivalries, and television, to account for 16 conference games.
What’s Next
After tonight, DePaul will entertain the Spot Lite Jammers on Saturday, November 15 at 8 p.m. in the DePaul Athletic Center. The game will be the second of a doubleheader featuring the DePaul women’s team playing in the first game at 6 p.m.