DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Plays Minnesota to Open Old Spice Classic
11/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
Nov. 22, 2011
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| DePaul vs. Minnesota Thursday, Nov. 24 | 2 p.m. ET HP Field House | Orlando, Fla. | ||||||
| DePaul Information: Game Notes  | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Media Guide | ||||||
| Minnesota Information: Game Notes | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Media Guide | ||||||
| Radio: n/a PbP: n/a |Analyst: n/a | ||||||
| TV: ESPN2/ESPN3D PbP: Bob Picozzi |Analyst: Tim Welsh | ||||||
| TV (online): ESPN3 | ||||||
| Old Spice Classic Information: Website | Tickets | ||||||
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Next Game: DePaul vs. Indiana State or Texas Tech | ||||||
CHICAGO - The DePaul Blue Demons open the Old Spice Classic on Thanksgiving Day against Minnesota. The Blue Demons and Golden Gophers are scheduled for a 2 p.m. ET start in Orlando, Fla. at the HP Field House. The three-day tournament features four games on Thursday and Friday and four games on Sunday. Joining DePaul and Minnesota in Orlando are Arizona State, Dayton, Fairfield, Indiana State, Texas Tech and Wake Forest. DePaul faces either Indiana State or Texas Tech on Friday.
Both teams enter Thursday's matinee undefeated with DePaul at 2-0 and Minnesota with a 4-0 record. The 2 p.m. ET start can be seen on ESPN2 with Bob Picozzi (play-by-play) and Tim Welsh (analyst) calling all the action. Thursday's game and the entire Old Spice Classic can also be seen on ESPN3D and online at ESPN3. Live stats are available online at www.depaulbluedemons.com and in-game scoring updates and notes can be followed as well at www.twitter.com/depaulsid.
Following the Minnesota game, the Blue Demons face either Indiana State or Texas Tech. A win over Minnesota moves the Blue Demons into a Noon ET semifinal while a loss puts DePaul in a 2:30 p.m. ET consolation bracket game.
Noting the Blue Demons: The men's basketball program is 1,374-861 (.615) all-time... the Blue Demons have knocked down at least one three-pointer in 550 straight games... DePaul's last game without a three was Feb. 16, 1993 against UAB at Allstate Arena... the Blue Demons are 307-132 (.699) all-time in Rosemont... DePaul is 5-1 (.833) all-time in games at McGrath-Phillips Arena... the Blue Demons have won four of their first five games in two of the last three seasons (2008-09 and 2009-10).
It Could Happen: A win would give DePaul a 3-0 start for first time since the 2008-09 season... the 2008-09 squad started 4-0... a win would also be No. 1,375 in program history... Jeremiah Kelly needs one steal to move into a tie with Bobby Simmons (124 steals, 1998-01) for 20th all-time at DePaul... Kelly also needs four assists to move into a tie with Joe Ponsetto (264 assists, 1975-78) for 21st all-time.
The Trilight Zone: Over the first two games of the season DePaul has totaled 22 three-pointers on 51 attempts from behind the arc. The back-to-back games with at least 10 three's marked the first time of that occurrence since the 2007-08 season.
DePaul connected on a dozen three-pointers in the opener against UT-Pan American before knocking down 10 trifectas against Mississippi Valley State. Prior to this season, the last time DePaul went to back-to-back was during a three-game run in November and December 2007.
The 2007-08 Blue Demons made 10-plus in three straight games against North Carolina A&T (12 on Nov. 24), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (14 on Nov. 28) and at Kansas (10 on Dec. 8).
A year ago, the Blue Demons didn't record their 22nd three-pointer until the seventh game of the season.
Demon Doings: Notes following DePaul's 80-70 win against Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 14:
- DePaul improved to 2-0 for the third time in the last four seasons.
- At McGrath-Phillips Arena, DePaul is now 5-1 all-time and 2-0 this season... the Blue Demons play their third and final game of the season in Lincoln Park on Dec. 17 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
- DePaul hit at least 10 three's in back-to-back games for the first time since the 2007-08 season... the Blue Demons made 10-plus in three straight games against North Carolina A&T (12 on Nov. 24), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (14 on Nov. 28) and at Kansas (10 on Dec. 8).
- Jeremiah Kelly recorded his third career game of 20 or more points... dating back to last season he has three 20-point games over his last nine contests.
- Kelly's six three's were one short of his career high... the total is tied for seventh (11th time) on DePaul's game list... Kelly's career-high of seven is tied for second and was set against Villanova last season on Feb. 19.
- Freshman Charles McKinney reached double-figures for the second time in as many collegiate games.
- Monday was the first meeting between the two programs.
- The Blue Demons are 7-0 all-time against members of the SWAC... DePaul hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Dec. 17 at McGrath-Phillips Arena.
