Barring a miracle in next months Big East Tournament, the DePaul Blue Demons probably wont be dancing in this years NCAA Tournament.
However, that doesnt mean the Blue Demons arent showing considerable progress on the court. Three of their 12 Big East losses have come by a combined seven points against Big East heavyweights Georgetown, Butler and reigning national champions Villanova.
These games point directly to the progress head coach Dave Leitao has made in his second year as the Blue Demons head coach.
Leitao, who coached the Blue Demons to their last tournament appearance in 2004, says progress is measured in a, lot of different ways, not necessarily just by wins or losses.
At the time of this writing, DePaul currently sits at 1-12 in the Big East and just 8-18 overall. However, that doesnt tell the whole story of the team.
The Blue Demons are one of the younger teams in the conference with only one senior, Billy Garrett, Jr. in the starting lineup.The Blue Demons are led on offense by sophomore Eli Cain, who leads the team with 15.8 points per game.
As Cain progresses, so too do the Blue Demons. Robert ONeill, co-managing editor of SB Nations Big East Coast Bias blog said the Blue Demons are, absolutely, Cains team going forward.
ONeill also added that DePauls narrow loss at Villanova in December represents the, absolute best that DePaul can be, while DePaul was, the better team for 43 of the 45 minutes, in their home overtime loss to Butler in January.
Getting over that hump is a major obstacle for the Blue Demons going forward. Getting a landmark win against ranked opponents brings prestige and publicity to the program. While its not the ultimate goal, it represents a milestone on DePauls journey back to national relevance.
ONeill said that one of DePauls biggest challenges lies in the fact that they play in such a top-heavy conference.
When Leitao led the Blue Demons to their last NCAA tournament, he did so in Conference USA, not the Big East (DePaul joined the Big East in 2005).
ONeill says DePaul could win four to six conference games if they played in another, perhaps more balanced conference such as the SEC or the Pac-12.
Indeed, this is an exciting time for the program, which is leaving Rosemonts Allstate Arena after this season after 37 years for the brand new Wintrust Arena located in downtown Chicago. Both ONeill and Leitao agree that the new arena will give the Blue Demons a boost in recruiting.
While the arena isnt completely built yet, ONeill said it should have, pretty cool bells and whistles in locker rooms and other team areas, adding that, every little edge you can get helps.
Leitao said he, constantly, talks to potential recruits about the new arena, taking them to the construction site and showing them photos of what the new arena will look like. Leitao added that the new arena represents the change happening within the program.
For the players, those close calls against the conferences upper echelon point to what the team could be. For every close loss against Villanova, DePaul has also suffered heavy losses against top tier opponents like Creighton and Seton Hall.
In those games, the Blue Demons suffer from what junior Joe Hanel called a lack of focus, which is common among less experienced teams like DePaul.
We have to put together 40 minutes if we want to win, Hanel said. It cant be 35 minutes or 34 minutes.
Freshman Brandon Cyrus said hes noticed, increased competitiveness, in practices, adding that, guys are just trying to make each other better.
Cyrus also represents the kind of player Leitao is trying to recruit into the program. The Canadian native played high school basketball at La Lumiere in La Porte, IN., an area Leitao has focused on recruiting. Cyrus was considered by many to be the best of DePauls 2016 recruiting class.
While Chicago has built a reputation for producing excellent high school recruits, DePaul is at a disadvantage.
Leitao said that before he can land Chicago-based recruits, he has to give them a reason to stay here. Leitao faces a long road back for DePaul, but if the program can build off the potential theyve shown this season, then there truly is hope for the near future. ONeill says that DePaul could be a solid team in three to four seasons, but they face an uphill battle in a conference that already features perennial NCAA tournament hopefuls like Villanova, Butler and Creighton.
However, DePaul will have to overcome the loss of Billy Garrett, Jr. next season. Garrett, Jr. has been a team leader since his freshman season and recently became the all-time leader in free throws for DePaul.
ONeill, Hanel, Leitao and Cyrus all agreed that it will be a team effort to replace Garrett, Jr. both on the court and in the locker room. As Cain and Cyrus develop, look for them to become potential leaders going forward.
Read more:
Men's basketball points to close games as progress - The Depaulia
- Progress Lighting - Home [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2016]
- Home - Progress Lighting Outlet - Authorized Progress Dealer [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2017]
- What does progress mean? - Definitions.net [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2017]
- Progress Fire Company Harrisburg, PA [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2017]
- Homepage Center for American Progress [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2017]
- Progress being made on possible grocery store co-op in Winston-Salem - myfox8.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Nioh Review-in-Progress: FromSoftware's Formula Evolved - Shacknews [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Deutsche Bundesbank Cites Progress With Blockchain-Based Settlement - CryptoCoinsNews [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- IMF: Greece's debts are still unsustainable despite progress - The Seattle Times [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Think Progress Editor Mocks Audi for Equal Pay Super Bowl Ad - Breitbart News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Progress apparent on defense - Pittsburgh Steelers - Steelers.com [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- IMF: Greece's Debts are Still Unsustainable, Despite Progress - Voice of America [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Can US disrupter-in-chief trigger some progress? - Jerusalem Post Israel News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- The Cost of Progress - Slate Magazine [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Cavaliers' pitching rotation a work in progress | Cavalier Insider ... - The Daily Progress [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- High schoolers create 'zines for progress' with WolfsonianFIU - FIU News [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Cries of 'dictator' show Pope Francis is making progress - Crux: Covering all things Catholic [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Officials: City is making progress in effort to address opioid crisis - The Union Leader [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- IN OUR VIEW: Work Ready in Progress for Carter - The Independent [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- BP's Earnings Keep Showing Progress, Even if the Headline Results Don't Say So - Motley Fool [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Women's Progress in the Boardroom Took a Hit in 2016 - Inc.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Blight Elimination Progress, Uplifting - MyWabashValley [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Rauner 'heartened' by progress in Springfield - Bloomington Pantagraph [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- David Johnson showed off the insane progress he's making in rehab from his knee injury - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Through the looking glass: Tower view showcases progress on Amazon's unique biospheres - GeekWire [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Britney Spears Says Niece Maddie Is 'Making Progress' After ATV Accident: 'Let's All Keep Praying' - PEOPLE.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Progress on vet's Mustang to be unveiled - Indianapolis Star [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Evgeni Malkin making 'progress,' could return Saturday in Arizona - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Forecasters See Slow Progress in Labor-Market Measures Favored by Trump Administration - Wall Street Journal [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- 'Paper boys' were the lifeblood of The Daily Progress - The Daily Progress [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Cliffs Natural Resources Is Showing a Lot of Progress on Its Return to Profitability - Motley Fool [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- ATA says states' telemedicine progress a mixed bag ... - FierceHealthcare [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Seltzer's Notebook | Colangelo Encouraged by Sixers' Progress - Sixers.com [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- The Trump administration can't entirely roll back progress on climate change here's why - Washington Post [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Colts position review: OL showed legit progress, but work remains - Indianapolis Star [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Egyptian Economy Making Slow, Tentative Progress - Voice of America [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- ATA: States show mixed progress with telemedicine | Healthcare Dive - Healthcare Dive [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Louisville City notes: McCabe making progress - The Courier-Journal [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Jeremy Lin: Progress but no timetable - NetsDaily [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Marginal progress for Turkish-backed forces in north Syria - LA Daily News [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Jimmy Cheek: UT chancellor appreciative of hard work, progress on journey - Knoxville News Sentinel [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Syria Regional Crisis 2016 Emergency Appeal - Progress Report - Reliefweb [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- CWLP officials: Bailout repayment would set back progress - The State Journal-Register [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Pistons' Johnson making halting but definite progress - The Detroit News [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Clairton works: Real progress is coming to the former steel town - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- The Democrats' Strategy: Hindering Progress For Partisan Politics - Daily Caller [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- The surprising progress stoppers on the Dallas Cowboys defensive line - Cowboys Wire [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Gender Progress in Ballet - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Foyt pleased with progress, regrets lack of time - Motorsport.com, Edition: Global [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Progress Made, but Threat Lingers at California's Oroville Dam - Wall Street Journal [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Adele, Beyonc, and the Grammys' Fear of Progress - The Atlantic [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- North Korea Claims Progress on Long-Range Goal With Missile Test - New York Times [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- How Travel Bans Can Impede America's Progress - Forbes - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Jeff Sessions' appointment threatens decades of civil rights progress - The Hill (blog) [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Ionis Earns $75M Milestone from Bayer for Progress of Antisense Drug Program - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (press release) [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Guilford Schools annual report shows mixed results on progress - Greensboro News & Record (blog) [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Sniper Elite 4 review in progress - PC Gamer [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- For Honor Review In Progress - GameSpot [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- China's military progress challenges Western dominance, says IISS - Deutsche Welle [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- PFW in Progress Recap 2/14: Patriots Offseason Outlook | New ... - Patriots.com [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Daily Progress, chamber establish regional business Hall of Fame - The Daily Progress [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Huntsville-based Progress Bank to acquire Birmingham's First Partners Bank - Birmingham Business Journal [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- City, UF sign partnership for progress - Gainesville Sun [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- California officials lift evacuation order for 200000 threatened by damaged dam - CBS News [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- 5G progress at Ericsson could help enterprises work worldwide - Computerworld [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Officials making 'great progress' on California dam repairs, remind residents to stay vigilant - Fox News [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Halo Wars 2 Review in Progress - IGN [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- CUGNON: Forward progress - Yale Daily News (blog) [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- F-35 Program Makes Significant, Solid Progress, Official Says - Department of Defense [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Lenovo's data center ambitions remain work in progress following Q3 results - ZDNet [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- PFW in Progress Recap 2/16: Free Agency and Potential Patriots - Patriots.com [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- S&P 500: 'Blow-off' Phase in Progress - DailyFX [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Combine invites are another sign of progress at Michigan - Big Ten ... - ESPN (blog) [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Halo Wars 2 review in progress - PC Gamer [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- 'Hero' film produced just for Charlottesville featured the mayor, The Daily Progress - The Daily Progress [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Republicans' health care overhaul still a work in progress - Press Herald [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Trump Boasts Of 'Incredible Progress' In 4 Weeks Of Presidency - NPR [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Donald Trump touts promise progress at press conference - PolitiFact [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Mild winter helping crews make significant progress on East End Connector - WRAL.com [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Committee updates Legislature on precinct consolidation progress - Chicago Tribune [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]