DePaul University Athletics
Balanced DePaul is Ready for American
12/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - Whose turn will it be stepping to the forefront for DePaul Wednesday night at Allstate Arena?
Coach Jerry Wainwright can hardly wait to find out.
"It seems like somebody different has stepped up in every game," Wainwright said as the Blue Demons face American (1-8) at 7:30 p.m. "No question, Michael Bizoukas was the player of the game (last Saturday) against Illinois-Chicago."
The 6-foot, 1-inch Bizoukas helped lead DePaul to a 77-56 triumph over UIC with five points, nine rebounds, eight assists and three steals. He also put the clamps on UIC guard Robo Kreps, holding the three-point shooting threat to seven points in the second half as Depaul improved to 6-3.
"What an effort he gave us defensively," Wainwright said about the sophomore guard. "Kreps only hit one three-pointer after Bizoukas started guarding him.
"Mike is a little slight, and he gets bumped around by bigger guards. But there's no question he has a lot of heart. Deep down, he might be one of our toughest players.
"He is a gym rat, and a throwback kid. Not a lot of guys have haircuts like him. He is so unpretentious, and there's a lot of leadership in him."
Sophomore Devin Hill came up with his best game of the season last Saturday with 12 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots.
"I envisioned Devin as a 6-9 wing player who would be a matchup problem for our opponents," Wainwright said. "Then Mac (Koshwal) got hurt (foot injury) and Devin had to learn a lot by default. He is one of our most improved players, and I'm really proud of him."
Newcomers Eric Wallace and Ryan Siggins have had big games this season. Jeremiah Kelly came through with 18 points and eight rebounds in a 60-52 victory over Northern Iowa.
Maybe this will be the break-out game for ex-Oregon State guard Mike Stovall or three-point shooter Mario Stula.
It would be the perfect time for Jimmy Drew to make a significant contribution in his Blue Demon debut.
"Jimmy Drew has the ability to shoot the deep three-pointer," Wainwright said about the 6-4 guard who was granted eligibility by the NCAA on Monday after playing two seasons at Southeast Missouri State before transferring to DePaul.
"He is a proven commodity with two years of college basketball experience. He is an outstanding outside threat with big-time range.
"At 6-4, he is more of a wing player who is exceptionally strong. He'll get some minutes right away. It's a chance for us to put another perimeter shooter out there. Anything we can do to give our young post players more room to work is great."
American, which lost its first seven games, is led by 6-8 sophomore Stephen Lumpkins who is averaging 12.6 points and eight rebounds a game. In the Eagles' last game on Dec. 5, they lost 73-46 at Georgetown.
The constant in DePaul's season has been Will Walker, who has led the team in scoring five of the last six games and tops the Blue Demons with 16.8 points a game.
Wainwright was pleased with the way Walker, Kelly and Bizoukas played together against UIC.
"I thought the three of them were terrific," Wainwright said. "All three moved so well together and kept the ball moving. Our ball movement needs to continue like that when those three aren't in there at the same time."