DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Meet RedHawks in South Loop
12/20/2017 12:00:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - DePaul closes the non-conference portion of the regular-season schedule on Thursday night with a home game against Miami (Ohio). The Blue Demons and RedHawks are scheduled for an 8 p.m. start at Wintrust Arena.
Thursday's game will be televised on FS1 with Lisa Byington (play-by-play) and Stephen Bardo (analyst) handling the television duties. The game can also be seen online and on mobile devices with FOX Sports Go. DePaul's radio tandem of Zach Zaidman (play-by-play) and Jeff Blanzy (analyst) can be heard on WSCR 670 AM as well as online on BlueTube at www.depaulbluedemons.com. Live stats can be found on GameTracker at www.depaulbluedemons.com while game updates and notes can be followed on Twitter via @DePaulSID.
Miami is 7-4 overall with back-to-back wins against Fort Wayne and Rio Grande heading into Thursday's action. The Blue Demons stand at 6-5 with Saturday's two-point loss against Northwestern snapping a five-game win streak. DePaul head coach Dave Leitao is in his sixth season at DePaul and his third since returning to the program after leading the Blue Demons three postseasons in three years from 2002-05. Overall, the 2017-18 campaign is Leitao's 12th as a head coach at the collegiate level. Miami is led by Jack Owens who is in his first season leading the RedHawks.
Noting the Blue Demons: The men's basketball program is 1,443-992 (.593) all-time... the Blue Demons have knocked down at least one three-pointer in 750 straight games... DePaul's last game without a three was Feb. 16, 1993 against UAB at Allstate Arena... the current streak started against Notre Dame on Feb. 21, 1993... DePaul is playing every home game under the same roof for the first time since the 2009-10 season... the last seven seasons have seen the Blue Demons play home games at Allstate Arena and McGrath-Phillips Arena... DePaul is 40-42 all-time in games that go to overtime... the Oregon game on Nov. 24 was the first overtime game this season.
The Opponent - Miami RedHawks: Miami (Ohio) is 7-4 following a 109-70 win over Rio Grande on Sunday... the RedHawks have won two straight over Fort Wayne and Rio Grande following a 70-51 loss at Missouri on Dec. 5... Nike Sibande leads three players averaging in double-figures with 13.7 points per game... Sibande and Jake Wright have each knocked down a team-high 24 three's... Logan McLane adds 10.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while Jalen Adaway averages 10.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per contest... head coach Jack Owens is in his first season leading the RedHawks... DePaul head coach Dave Leitao is facing Miami for the first time.
The Series: Thursday is the eighth all-time meeting between the two programs... DePaul holds a 4-3 advantage in the series... this season's matchup is the first since the 1960-61 season... the first meeting occurred as part of the MSG Holiday Festival in 1952... the Blue Demons also faced La Salle and Manhattan at that event from Dec. 27-30, 1952.
Against the Mid-American Conference: DePaul is 80-35 all-time against the current membership of the Mid-American Conference... Northern Illinois is the most common opponent with 32 meetings followed by 29 games against Western Michigan... DePaul most recent MAC opponent was Western Michigan on Nov. 14, 2015 at McGrath-Phillips Arena... the Blue Demons posted a 69-63 win in that game.
It Could Happen: A win would make DePaul 6-2 at Wintrust Arena and 5-1 in the month of December... Eli Cain is playing in his 75th career game... he needs four points for 950 in his career... with at least 10 points, Tre'Darius McCallum registers his 25th career game in double-figures.
Demon Doings: Notes following DePaul's 62-60 loss against Northwestern on Saturday:
- The loss ended a five-game win streak for the Blue Demons... DePaul is 5-2 at Wintrust Arena.
- Brandon Cyrus' three to start the scoring for the Blue Demons extended DePaul's streak to 750 consecutive games with a three-pointer.
- Max Strus scored at least 20 points for the fourth time in the last five games... his 33 points are the most in a game by a DePaul player since Brandon Young scored 35 at Connecticut on Jan. 8, 2013... his six three's matched his career high originally set against Portland earlier this season on Nov. 26.
- DePaul has committed less turnovers than the opponent in all 11 games this season.
- Since the start of 2010-11 season DePaul is 17-5 against Chicagoland opponents... the Blue Demons went 1-1 this season.
- DePaul is 84-81 all-time against the current membership of the Big Ten Conference.
- DePaul leads the all-time series with the Wildcats 20-13... Northwestern has won three straight in the series.
Trendy: The Blue Demons have placed at least four players in double-figures in eight of the first 11 games including back-to-back games with five in double-figures... a year ago, at least four scored in double-figures six times (32 games)... five different players have led DePaul in scoring this season... DePaul has committed less turnovers than the opponent in all 11 games... in the BIG EAST statistical rankings, only Eli Cain and Shamorie Ponds of St. John's are averaging at least 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game... among the league's freshmen, only Jaylen Butz and Villanova's Omari Spellman are ranked in the top 30 rebounders... DePaul is second in the league with a +4.3 turnover margin and 12.2 offensive rebounds per game and fourth with a field goal percentage defense of .406
Game 13 - Dec. 27 vs. Villanova: DePaul opens BIG EAST play on Wednesday, Dec. 27 against Villanova at Wintrust Arena... the Wildcats are currently No. 1 in both the AP and coaches top 25s... the Blue Demons and Wildcats meet at 6:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network and WSCR 670 AM... Villanova holds a 24-8 advantage in the series... the two teams open conference play for the second straight season... a year ago, DePaul's upset bid came up just short at The Pavilion by a score of 68-65... Villanova is curently 11-0 and plays Hofstra on Dec. 22 before traveling to Chicago.
