On The Beat With The DePaul Blue Demons

I graduated from DePaul University 30 years ago. During my time there, I attended many Blue Demons basketball games, but I never had an experience like last Saturday as DePaul hosted the Seton Hall Pirates. In the 1980’s, I sat in the student section. On this day, I would be sitting with the media.

I arrived two hours prior to game time and immediately went to the Media Room. I saw familiar faces (and heard familiar voices) among the media contingent. I also enjoyed a bit of the food spread provided by the team.

As a member of the press, I always enjoy walking out into the empty arena. In the Allstate Arena, you start at the top and walk down through the stands. As I made my way down the steps, I saw the Pirates and the Blue Demons warming up on opposite sides of the court.

Getting this close to the players, you totally realize just how big, athletic and fast they are. They move with such ease and grace. Even in just this practice time, it is a spectacle. In fact, it might be more fun watching players now, than during the game when action is often stop and start. Here, they glide trough their routines unencumbered.

I talked casually to Seton Hall Coach Kevin Willard, DePaul Coach Dave Leitao and a few players. Despite the distance in the standings, the attitude was that this was going to be a battle and it turned out to be just that.

I made my way to my seat in Press Row and was stunned to see I was sitting two seats to the left of the north basket. I couldn't get any closer to the action. The much younger version of me came out as I smiled big time over the close proximity.

In the first half, the Pirates lead by as many as 10, but the Blue Demons stayed in the game. Tre'Darius McCallum scored 13 of his 15 points in the first half, which ended with the Demons trailing by 8 points.

For the first half, the Pirates shot 57.7%, while hitting four 3-pointers, but were only 1-5 from the free throw line. Meanwhile, the Demons shot 48%, with two 3-pointers and one free throw made on one attempt. The Pirates took 36 total shots to the Demons 31.

Those stats weren’t horrible, but DePaul would have to improve to win this game or even keep it close. Their last encounter saw the Pirates crush the Demons 87-56. The second half would test the character of this DePaul team.

DePaul did turn things around in the second half. They shot 57.1% to Seton Halls 56.5%. Both teams attempted eleven 3 pointers, with DePaul hitting 5 and Seton Hall hitting 3. DePaul shot 78.9 (15 of 19) from the free throw line, while Seton Hall sank 78.3% (18 of 23).

Despite DePaul’s improved offense, they would ultimately fall 3 points short in losing 82-79. Billy Garrett lead the Blue Demons with 26 points. The Demons never gave up though. They battled right to the very end, even cutting the lead to one with 21 seconds left.

In a game this close, you can look at many instances which could have changed the outcome. The Pirates had 10 steals to 7 for the Blue Demons. On the other hand, the Blue Demons outrebounded the Pirates 29-26. The Pirates had 8 more free throw attempts and connected on 3 more than the Blue Demons.

I can quote stats all day, but the only one that really mattered was the final score. Unfortunately, DePaul was on the short end of that.

The crowd of over 5,000 was loud and lively. You would never now the Demons are 20-9 and mired in last place. One fan respectfully heckled Seton Hall nonstop, leading to fun interplay with the players after the game. It was a nice, light moment to end the day.

This is a bit of a transition year for DePaul. It is their last season at the Allstate Arena, a place they have called home since 1980. Next season, they will move back to Chicago to the newly constructed Wintrust Arena.

Scheduled to open in the fall of 2017, Wintrust Arena will be a multi-purpose event center featuring a 10,000 seat state of the art basketball court. Located just south of downtown, Wintrust Arena will be part of McCormick Square, a thriving and still growing destination spot for tourist and locals alike. It will become a major contender for future concerts, conventions, sporting events and more. For DePaul, Wintrust Arena should spark more interest from students, nearby residents and even downtown business folks..

This is an exciting time for DePaul. I am already looking forward to my first game at Wintrust Arena. DePaul pride is on the rise.

I thank DePaul University for their hospitality. This truly was a memorable experience.