Breitbart Sports Interview: DePaul Coach Looks to Prove Critics Wrong in Revamped Big East

“Bigger, stronger, deeper.” That is how DePaul head basketball coach Oliver Purnell describes this season’s edition of his team. No, a starting line-up of Mikan, Aguirre, Cummings, Corzine, and Strickland will not be taking the court in the Windy City, but signs point to the Blue Demons getting better. How much better is the question. 

“This is an exciting time of year,” Purnell told Breitbart Sports. “We are starting to find out some things about our team, our personnel, particularly the new guys.” There are a lot of those new guys.

DePaul has eight new players on the roster, including four freshmen, as well as  two new assistant coaches. Many of the new players are physically impressive. “Several are six-eight or better,” Purnell said. “That does make us bigger and stronger. Now it’s up to us to implement that strength into our offenses and defenses.”

A major problem the last couple of years has been rebounding. The Demons’ improved size and strength should help in that department.

While DePaul’s new cast of characters may be large in stature, many are green when it comes to experience. According to Purnell, that is being addressed. “I think it’s coming together pretty well,” he said. “Obviously, it is never quick enough but I’m excited about the possibilities. Any time you have a lot of new guys it makes the learning curve a little steeper, it makes the process a little longer, but the end product can be better. We needed size and strength and we got some. We got some perimeter players that we’re very high on.”  

One of those players is top-100 recruit Billy Garrett Jr. Though just a freshman, the 6-5 Chicago product is ahead of schedule from a preparation standpoint. “Billy has a high basketball I.Q.,” Purnell said. “He’s picking up things nicely. We are asking a lot of him. He needs to make plays and shots, and he’s doing a tremendous job so far.”  

Not all of the Demons are newcomers. Garrett and senior Brandon Young have taken turns playing point guard while the other plays off the ball. Young has high hopes for himself and the team. He doesn’t listen to the pundits or coaches who picked DePaul to finish at the bottom of the Big East. “It puts chips on our shoulders,” said Young. “It makes us go out there and work even harder. It’s nothing but assumptions anyway. We can prove them wrong.”

If the Demons are to prove them wrong, the newcomers and the veterans will have to gel.

Along with Young, senior Cleveland Melvin looks to play a big role on this team, albeit a different one. Melvin has mostly played power forward thus far, and he has done well. He captured the Big East Rookie of the Year in 2011 and led DePaul in scoring the last three seasons. His accomplishments however did not translate into team success. Now, the 6-8 Melvin will get a chance to play small forward.