DePaul Blue Demons
Overall Rank: #34
Conference Rank: #2 Big East
DePaul Team Page
DePaul has long been one of the Big East's top programs and is coached by USA Basketball assistant Doug Bruno. The team has qualified for 18 NCAA Tournaments, including last year, where the Blue Demons lost to Oklahoma State in the first round. DePaul is part of a new look Big East. With the effects of conference realignment, DePaul loses rivalries with Louisville, Connecticut and Notre Dame, but gets to continue to play St. John's, Georgetown and Marquette.
2012-13 Record: 21-12, 9-7
2012-13 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Doug Bruno
Coach Record: 531-294 at DePaul, 571-324 overall
Strengths:
DePaul's backcourt will be its strength this season, as it returns two starting guards, as well as three guards who played key roles last year. The top returnee, Briittany Hrynko returns for her junior year after scoring 14.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 4.8 apg, stats that put her on the Big East's 1st team. The Blue Demons finished ninth in assists per game, averaging nearly 17 per contest, and return their top two assist leaders, Hrynko and Chanise Jenkins. Another strength for this year's squad is experience. Seven players played in more 20 games and three of those started at least 31 of the team's 33 games. DePaul also welcomes one of the top 75 recruits in the country, Jessica January as well. January was a finalist for Minnesota Miss Basketball, a McDonalds' game nominee and averaged 22 ppg, 6.8 apg, 6.5 rpg and 4.5 spg. She'll be a welcome addition to a backcourt that also brings back key reserves Megan Rogowski and Megan Podkowa.
Weaknesses:
DePaul doesn't bring back much frontcourt experience. Only five players are considered forwards, including Rogowski who is a G/F. Jasmine Penny is the team's top frontcourt returnee after averaging nearly 13 points and five rebounds. However, the Blue Demons will have to replace Katherine Harry, who was a monster in the point for four years. She was a 2nd-team All-Big East selection after averaging nearly nine points and 11 rebounds. Nobody on last year’s squad came close to Harry's rebounding stats, so it will be on Penny and Jenkins, each of whom averaged 4.9 rpg, to step up their game.
Final Projection:
The Blue Demons bring back lots of experience, especially in the backcourt. Adding January will allow the Blue Demons to spell Jenkins and Hrynko and give experience to the freshman. The Big East becomes less challenging this year, as it loses some of the top teams in the country so the competition may be a bit easier for the squad. However, DePaul and Notre Dame did agree to continue playing each other, with the Blue Demons traveling to South Bend at the end of November. DePaul might be looking at two freshmen, Meri Bennett-Swanson and Brandi Harvey-Carr, both of who are 6-3 and taller, to play in the post. Harvey-Carr, who stands 6-4, is tied for the tallest player on the team with reserve Kelsey Smith.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
Projected Starting Five:
Brittany Hrynko, Junior, Guard, 14.7 points per game
Chanise Jenkins, Sophomore, Guard, 8.0 points per game
Megan Rogowski, Junior, Guard, 8.3 points per game
Megan Podkowa, Sophomore, Guard/Forward, 6.7 points per game
Jasmine Penny, Senior, Forward, 12.8 points per game
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 70.8 (24th in nation, 5th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 69.6 (314, 14)
Field-Goal Percentage: 41.0 (80, 6)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.0 (287, 12)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.9 (34, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 30.0 (168, 8)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.0 (172, 10)
Rebound Margin: -2.1 (234, 12)
Assists Per Game: 16.9 (9, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 16.1 (116, 6)
See All Top 44 Women’s Basketball Previews
