DePaul University Athletics
DePaul Goes For Three Straight on Thursday at Chicago State
12/3/2014 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - DePaul continues a busy stretch of four games in eight days with a Thursday night game at Chicago State. The Blue Demons opened the run with a win over Stanford on Sunday followed by a victory against Northern Illinois on Tuesday evening. Start time between the Blue Demons and Cougars at Jones Convocation Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.
DePaul's radio tandem of Laurence Holmes (play-by-play) and Jeff Blanzy (analyst) can be heard on WSCR 670 AM, on BlueTube at www.depaulbluedemons.com and on DePaul's mobile app. In-game scoring updates and notes can be followed at www.twitter.com/depaulsid.
DePaul stands at 4-1 early in the 2014-15 season while Chicago State holds a 2-6 record. Head coach Oliver Purnell is in his fifth season at DePaul and his 27th as a head coach at the collegiate level. Chicago State is led by Tracy Dildy who is in his fifth season leading the Cougars. Thursday's game is the 13th meeting between the two programs.
Following the Chicago State game, DePaul returns to Allstate Arena for a Sunday afternoon contest against Milwaukee. Sunday's game will be televised on FOX Sports 1 and can be heard on WSCR 670 AM at 1 p.m.
Toy Drive at Upcoming Games: The DePaul athletics department is hosting a food drive and a toy drive at upcoming men's and women's basketball games.
The toy drive benefits the children of the St. Vincent de Paul Center and begins Nov. 29 at University locations in the Loop and Lincoln Park campuses. Gameday drop-off for unused and unopened toys and games is available at the men's basketball games against Milwaukee on Dec. 7 and Illinois State on Dec. 14.
Noting the Blue Demons: The men's basketball program is 1,411-923 (.605) all-time... the 81-70 win over Florida Atlantic on Dec. 12, 2013 was win No. 1,400 since start of 1923-24 season... the Blue Demons have knocked down at least one three-pointer in 649 straight games... DePaul's last game without a three was Feb. 16, 1993 against UAB at Allstate Arena... the Blue Demons are 327-161 (.670) all-time at Allstate Arena... DePaul is 9-1 (.900) all-time in games at McGrath-Phillips Arena... in Oliver Purnell's four-plus seasons at DePaul, the Blue Demons are 12-1 against Chicagoland opponents (Chicago State, UIC, Loyola-Chicago, Northern Illinois, Northwestern)... in the Purnell era, the Blue Demons are 23-4 (2-0 in 2014-15/6-1 in 2013-14) when scoring 80 or more points... DePaul's 2014-15 roster includes nine players from the Chicagoland area.
The Opponent - Chicago State Cougars: Chicago State stands at 2-6 following a 90-42 loss at Notre Dame on Nov. 29... Clarke Rosenberg leads the team with 15.5 points per game...Trayvon Palmer adds 6.8 points and a team-high 4.9 rebounds per game... head coach Tracy Dildy is in his fifth season at Chicago State... DePaul head coach Oliver Purnell is 4-0 all-time against the Cougars.
The Series: Thursday is the 13th all-time meeting... DePaul holds a 12-0 advantage in the series... a year ago on Dec. 15, DePaul posted a 77-70 overtime win at Allstate Arena... Thursday's game is the second meeting at the Jones Convocation Center... DePaul won, 74-64, on Dec. 5, 2012.
The Last Meeting: DePaul held off Chicago State, 77-70, in an overtime win at Allstate Arena on Dec. 15, 2013... Billy Garrett Jr. scored eight of DePaul's first 10 points in overtime... Garrett finished the game with 17 points, five rebounds and four steals... Cleveland Melvin recorded an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double... Quinton Pippen led Chicago State with 18 points and six boards... Clarke Rosenberg added 17 points and six rebounds.
Against the Western Athletic Conference: DePaul is 18-1 all-time against the current membership of the WAC... 12 of the 18 wins are against Chicago State... DePaul is 5-0 against UT-Pan American and 1-0 against Seattle... New Mexico State has won the lone meeting with the Blue Demons.
It Could Happen: A win gives DePaul a 5-1 record to start the season for the first time in five seasons under Oliver Purnell... the potential 5-1 start would be the third beginning with five victories in six games since start of 2000-01 season... DePaul also started 5-1 in 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2009-10... a three-pointer extends DePaul's streak to 650 straight games with a three... Thursday's game is the 2,335 game since the start of the first fully-recognized season of 1923-24.
Trendy: After going 12-for-24 from the free throw line in the season opener, DePaul is 68-of-88 (.773) in the last four games... the Blue Demons have forced 59 turnovers in the last three games... in the last two games, DePaul is a combined 18-for-36 (.500) from three-point range... an opposing player has recorded a double-double in three of five games this season.
Demon Doings: Notes following DePaul's 78-67 win against Northern Illinois on Dec. 2:
- DePaul is 4-1 to start the season for the second time in five seasons... the 4-1 start is also the fourth in seven seasons and sixth in 15 seasons.
- At least four players have reached double-figures in four of five games.
- Billy Garrett Jr. recorded his 25th career game in double-figures.
- Jamee Crockett took sole possession of 20th place on DePaul's all-time three-point field goal list... Crockett has 85 career three's.
- Forrest Robinson matched his career high with four three-pointers.
- Myke Henry has scored in double-figures in all five games in a DePaul uniform.
- DePaul leads the series, 26-6, with four straight victories... against the Mid-American Conference, the Blue Demons are 79-34.
Around the Area: DePaul's game against Northern Illinois was the 13th against Chicagoland opponents under head coach Oliver Purnell. Purnell-coached teams hold a 12-1 record against local programs that includes victories over Chicago State, Loyola, Northern Illinois and Northwestern. In four of Purnell's five seasons at DePaul, the Blue Demons have faced three Chicagoland opponents during the non-conference portion of the schedule. This season, DePaul faces UIC (W, 72-71 on Nov. 14), Northern Illinois (W, 78-67 on Dec. 2) and Chicago State (Dec. 4).
Locally Grown: The 2014-15 DePaul roster features nine players from the Chicagoland area. The nine Chicagoland members on the roster include Jamee Crockett (Chicago, Ill.), R.J. Curington (Dyer, Ind.), Cory Dolins (Northbrook, Ill.), Billy Garrett Jr. (Chicago, Ill.), Tommy Hamilton IV (Chicago, Ill.), Myke Henry (Chicago, Ill.), Peter Ryckbosch (Chicago, Ill.), Aaron Simpson (North Chicago, Ill.) and Rashaun Stimage (Chicago, Ill.).
Overall, the DePaul roster totals nine players from Illinois and one from Indiana, Minnesota, Nevada, Texas and Virginia along with the nation of Guadeloupe.
Injury Bug Bites Early: Two players on the 2014-15 roster are currently sidelined with injuries. Rashaun Stimage suffered a left foot fracture on Oct. 25 and is expected to miss up to 10 weeks. The Chicago native had surgery on Oct. 29 to repair the fifth metatarsal midshaft fracture in his left foot.
Ryckbosch will miss the entire 2014-15 season with a torn ACL in his right knee. The walk-on from Chicago had surgery in the offseason and is expected to miss the 2014-15 campaign.
On Deck: DePaul hosts Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon at Allstate Arena... the Blue Demons hold a 12-1 advantage in the series... DePaul recorded an 80-71 win at Milwaukee last season on Nov. 19... the game can be seen on FOX Sports 1 and heard on WSCR 670 AM.
