DePaul University
Connecticut
DePaul Gets De-Pressed by No. 10/9 Connecticut
1/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Jan. 15, 2011
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ROSEMONT, Ill. - Teams throughout the BIG EAST Conference are becoming a little wary of DePaul coach Oliver Purnell and his high-pressure style of basketball.
Why else would No. 10/9 Connecticut devote two days of practice towards breaking the Purnell press?
With its primary asset neutralized, DePaul couldn't match Connecticut's talent and athleticism in an 82-62 loss Saturday at Allstate Arena.
Led by Kemba Walker's 31 points, five assists and three steals, UConn went into press-attack mode, finishing off at the rim after slicing through the press.
"Their guards were very good , and they moved the ball well," Purnell said as the Blue Demons fell to 6-11, 0-5 in the BIG EAST. "You'd be hard-pressed to find a tougher guard than Walker.
"That's why we had to try and mix up our defenses. But, I looked out there one time and we were in three different defenses."
A three-point shot by Jeremiah Kelly followed by Melvin's three-point play brought DePaul within 43-34 five seconds before halftime. But Walker, the nation's second-leading scorer at 25.3 points per game---scored on a buzzer-beating layup to give UConn a 45-34 halftime lead.
In the first 20 minutes, Walker had 22 points.
Connecticut (14-2, 3-2 in the BIG EAST) opened the second half outscoring DePaul 21-7 in building a 66-41 lead with 10 minutes and six seconds left.
"We worked hard to make sure we didn't make mistakes against the pressure, and that was the key to the game," said Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun. "It was an opportunity for us to run---it made us run.
"There's no question Oliver Purnell will get it going here. I know three of the recruits he has coming in, and they are very good players. Cleveland Melvin and Brandon Young are very good players.
"It's going to be very exciting around here soon. It's a style that's fun for kids to play in."
Melvin, who changed his mind about an oral commitment to Connecticut and came to Lincoln Park instead, finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds---his first career double-double.
"It means a lot to me and the team," Melvin said about the accomplishment. "To get a performance like that after all the work I put in is great, but we didn't get the win."
He did get the respect of a man who was almost his college coach.
"I wished Cleveland well , and there's no question he chose a very good school" Calhoun said. "I've known Oliver a long time, and happen to know they have a great AD (Athletic Director Jean Lenti Ponsetto). DePaul gets it, and they are growing and growing.
"When Melvin shoots, he gets his own rebound as quick as any player in the league. It wouldn't surprise me in a couple of years if he is an All-BIG EAST player."
Moses Morgan made three-of-five from beyond the three-point arc and scored 11 points---his best effort of the season.
"It's good to see Morgan shooting the ball," Purnell said. "We need another player to make outside shots. Jimmy Drew and Jeremiah Kelly are struggling a little.
"Hopefully, we'll get all three guys going at the same time and have a good shooting night on Tuesday."
That's when the Blue Demons will be in Milwaukee for an 8 p.m. BIG EAST showdown against Marquette (12-6, 3-2) that will be televised by ESPNU.
