DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Hoping to Impose Its Will on St. John's
1/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - DePaul's best shot at breaking a BIG EAST Conference losing streak is to get Will Walker back on track.
If the senior guard can regain his scoring touch on Sunday, the Blue Demons could have a shot at upsetting St. John's in a 1 p.m. game at Carnesecca Arena in Queens, N.Y.
Walker has been DePaul's No. 1 scoring option all season and tops the opponents' defensive hit list.
Whether it's the blanket coverage, a shooting slump or some combination of both, Walker has struggled in the last five games.
Hounded by various defensive schemes, Walker has made 16-of-65 shots (24.6 percent) in the losses to Florida Gulf Coast, Pittsburgh, Georgetown, Villanova and Providence.
Walker was 8-for-15 and scored 23 points in an 86-69 victory over Texas State on Dec. 19---the last time DePaul came away victorious.
"Will has to understand that he won't get many open shots, and when he does, he has to make them," said DePaul interim coach Tracy Webster. "He should take it as a compliment that teams are so concerned about him. He has to keep moving, use screens and do whatever he can to get open.
"We know teams are setting up to stop Will and force someone else to beat them. Hopefully, we'll have something for that."
Walker's role has switched back and forth between scoring guard and facilitating playmaker. He has also tried playing through a lingering bout of the flu.
"Will's role is to do everything," Webster said. "He makes plays for us. Sometimes he'll be our point guard, sometimes he'll turn into a two-guard. He just has to take what the defense gives him."
It will be much easier to shake Walker loose if teammate Mike Stovall has more games like Thursday night's 30-point performance against Providence.
A team that is averaging 60.8 points a game and shooting just 39.5 percent from the floor needs all the offense it can get. DePaul is 7-9, 0-4 in the BIG EAST.
"There were times when Mike didn't finish some plays," Webster said about the 6-foot, 5-inch junior who starred at Marshall. "The positive is that he was trying to attack the rim. I just wish he would do it with less dribbles.
"I told Mike the same thing I told everyone else: Stay in attack mode. Mike wants to score. The key is, stay in attack mode but be smart. And he still has to play defense. Mike is capable of playing good defense and also scoring."
St. John's (11-5, 1-3) attacks behind 6-5 DJ Kennedy (15.8 points per game) and guard Dwight Hardy (11.9 points). The Red Storm is 7-2 at home and coming off a big 52-50 upset of Cincinnati last Wednesday on its home court.
Webster gave 6-11 Krys Faber his first start, and the big sophomore responded with nine points and seven rebounds against Providence.
"We need Devin Hill and Krys to pick up the slack for Mac," Webster said about the foot injury that's expected to sideline the 6-10 Mac Koshwal for several weeks.
"Even Kene Obi (7-2 sophomore) could help if there are times when we need him. Tony Freeland has Mac-type intensity. He just has to play a little smarter on the defensive end.
"Devin got the most experience when Mac was hurt the first time. Krys didn't really play much back then. But he's got a big body and showed he can get things done."
