Men's Basketball Hosts Loyola at Allstate Arena
12/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Dec. 17, 2010
| Postgame Autographs: DePaul fans can meet the Blue Demons on Saturday at the first autograph session of the season taking place just a few minutes after the conclusion of the game. The session will take place in the southwest concourse party room behind section 105. All fans are invited to attend for the chance to meet their favorite players. |
| DePaul (4-6, 0-0 BIG EAST) vs. Loyola (8-3, 0-2 Horizon League) | |
| Date & Time | Saturday, Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. |
| Allstate Arena Information | Tickets | Directions & Parking |
| TV | The U Too (PbP: Zach Zaidman | Analyst: Laurence Holmes) |
| ESPN FULL COURT | DirecTV: Ch. 723 | Dish Network: Ch. 458 |
| Online Video | ESPN3.com |
| Radio | WSCR 670 AM (PbP: Zach Zaidman | Analyst: Laurence Holmes) |
| Online Audio | BlueTube |
| Live Stats | Gametracker |
| Twitter Updates | @depaulsid |
| DePaul Information | Game Notes |
Loyola Information | Game Notes |
CHICAGO - DePaul hosts the Loyola Ramblers in a Saturday matinee at Allstate Arena in the 54th meeting between the two programs. The DePaul-Loyola series started in the 1922-23 season with an 18-15 victory for the Ramblers and Saturday's meeting is the first game since a 73-61 win for DePaul in November 2003.
The Blue Demons opened a three-game homestand to conclude the non-conference portion of the schedule with a 61-47 win over Milwaukee on Tuesday. Following the Loyola game, the Blue Demons host Florida Atlantic on Dec. 22 before opening BIG EAST play at Cincinnati on Dec. 28. DePaul enters the game at 4-6 overall and Loyola stands at 8-3 through 11 games.
All of the action can be heard on WSCR The Score 670 AM in Chicagoland with Zach Zaidman (play-by-play) and Laurence Holmes (analyst). Saturday's game will also be televised on The U Too (WCUU) in Chicago with the radio call from Zaidman and Holmes as a simulcast. For Chicagoland viewers watching with an antenna, the over-the-air digital position is The U Too 26.2. Chicagoland cable subscribers will see The U Too on Comcast 248, RCN 35 and WOW 170. The game is also available on ESPN's FULL COURT package and online at www.espn3.com. In-game scoring updates and notes can be followed as well at www.twitter.com/depaulsid.
Following the Loyola game, the Blue Demons face the Florida Atlantic Owls to conclude the non-conference portion of the regular-season schedule on Dec. 22. That game can be heard on WSCR and seen online on BlueTube at www.depaulbluedemons.com starting at 7:30 p.m.
Noting the Blue Demons: The men's basketball program is 1,369-843 (.619) all-time... the Blue Demons have knocked down at least one three-pointer in 527 straight games... DePaul's last game without a three was Feb. 16, 1993 against UAB at Allstate Arena... DePaul is 3-1 all-time in games at McGrath Arena... the Nov. 16 game against Western Carolina was the 425th for DePaul at Allstate Arena... the Blue Demons are 305-123 (.713) all-time in Rosemont... DePaul has: trailed at halftime in six of 10 games, been outrebounded in eight of 10 games and allowed opponent to shoot .400 or better in eight of 10 games this season... the Blue Demons have used three different starting line-ups this season.
It Could Happen: A win would be No. 1,370 in program history... a win would be No. 399 for head coach Oliver Purnell... a win would improve DePaul's record to 4-2 in December... the four wins would match the 2008-09 team for most wins in December since a 7-1 record in the final month of 2006... the 2008-09 squad posted a 4-6 record in December... DePaul hosts Florida Atlantic on Dec. 22 and travels to Cincinnati on Dec. 28.
Demon Doings: Notes following DePaul's 61-47 win against Milwaukee on Dec. 14:
- Head coach Oliver Purnell won his 398th career game... he is 398-282 in his 23 seasons as a head coach.
- DePaul outrebounded its opponent for the second time this season... the Blue Demons are 2-0 in those games.
- In five games this season, the Blue Demons have overcome a deficit of eight points or more... DePaul trailed Oklahoma State (8 pts. with 5:54 left in first half), Stanford (11 pts. with 13:56 left in first half), Central Michigan (14 pts. with 8:16 left in first half), Ball State (10 pts. with 17:54 left in second half) and Milwaukee (9 pts. with 11:53 left in first half)... Blue Demons are 2-3 in those games.
- DePaul held an opponent to 50 points or less for the first time since a 51-50 win over Marquette on Jan. 20, 2010.
- Cleveland Melvin made his first collegiate start... DePaul has used three different starting lineups this season.
- Jeremiah Kelly made his 45th career start... dating back to last season, he has started 17 straight games.
- DePaul attempted a season-low five three-pointers... prior to tonight, DePaul's low for the season was 10 at Indiana State on Dec. 8... the last time DePaul attempted less than 10 three-pointers in a game was Feb. 10, 2009 against Seton Hall (2-of-9).
- DePaul is 104-36 all-time against teams from the Horizon League... the Blue Demons host Loyola-Chicago on Saturday at Allstate Arena.
- Milwaukee drops to 0-2 this season against BIG EAST programs... the Panthers dropped a 75-72 decision against Marquette on Nov. 27.
Two for 400: Oliver Purnell has compiled nearly 400 victories in his 23 seasons as a NCAA Division I head coach at Radford (1988-91), Old Dominion (1991-94), Dayton (1994-03) and Clemson (2003-10). He is in his first season at DePaul with a career record of 398-282 and needs just two victories to reach the 400-win plateau. He has recorded a milestone win at each stop of his coaching career with his first victory at Radford, his 100th win at Old Dominion, his 200th victory at Dayton and win No. 300 was with Clemson.
Getting Settled: A year ago, DePaul struggled at the free throw line and ranked last in the NCAA rankings with a team free throw percentage of .582. Through the first 10 games of 2010-11, the Blue Demons are a combined 174-of-250 (.696) from the charity stripe. DePaul is 162nd out of 336 ranked team in the Dec. 12 NCAA statistical rankings and eight among the 16 schools in the BIG EAST through games of Dec. 15.
A closer look at the numbers show that the team increases its free throw percentage as the game moves into the second half. The Blue Demons are a combined 75-for-113 (.664) from the line in the first 20 minutes compared to a free throw percentage of .725 (95-131) in the second half. Individually, Brandon Young is 14-of-24 (.583) in the first half this season and 18-for-25 (.720) in the second half while Tony Freeland is 16-for-26 (.615) in the first half and 21-of-29 (.724) in the second period.
One final comparison to last season at the free throw line sees the Blue Demons increasing their trips to the line after averaging 17.1 free throw attempts last season compared to 25.0 attempts per game in 2010-11.
