Turning around the culture of an entire college basketball program is no small task, but coach Oliver Purnell has made some small but commendable strides at DePaul this season. The team has two legitimately talented players in sophomore wings Brandon young and Cleveland Melvin, and has at least been competitive this season, something the Blue Demons couldn't always say. Things came to a head on January 5 when DePaul upset Pitt 84-81 at Allstate Arena. The glory days of the Blue Demons are far from back, but DePaul has returned to competence, which is a sign in the right direction.
On Tuesday, DePaul will again be a heavy underdog in a Big East game when they welcome No. 10 Georgetown to Chicago. Hoyas coach John Thompson III says he expects DePaul to put up a fight.
"I'm going to give you a cookie-cutter answer but it's true, every game in this league is big," Thompson said. "Obviously, just emotionally, you don't want to lose three in a row and then have to go back on the road again.
"Wins in this league on the road are hard to come by and every night is a dogfight. Every night you have to scrape. So, this was a big game in that regard."
Tip off is 6:00 p.m. (central).