So, I attended the UTEP vs. DePaul game last Saturday (as a UTEP fan) and got a good look at DePaul in person. Here are my thoughts.
UTEP plays a style of defense that attempts to force lots of turnovers. (UTEP is offensively challenged, similar to NU, but they have good athletes.) Early in the game, it was working, and UTEP built an 11-point lead in the first half. But DePaul adjusted, and they started making shots that they were missing earlier in the game. Overall, the first half was an even affair, but at the end of the half, DePaul banked in a half-court shot AND UTEP was called for a foul, so they got a 4-point play and lots of momentum going into the half. A 2-point lead at the half turned into a 6-point lead. And I guess that was a sign of things to come.
In the 2nd half, DePaul would not miss. They drained 3 after 3 and made a total of 14 for the game, shooting over 50% from beyond the arc. They just exploded. It reminded me of the Pitt game. They also hit 17 of 19 free throws, so we don't want to put them at the line. All five starters were in double-figures, and four of them shot at least 50% from beyond the arc. So, they showed balance on offense. UTEP's style of D did lead to some open looks, once DePaul adjusted and UTEP wasn't able to match them. But they were just on fire, hitting contested shots, too (like the ridiculous end to the first half).
On paper, this is a team that NU should be able to beat, but so was Pitt. The 'Cats can't afford to let these guys get open looks.
Don't sleep on DePaul.
UTEP plays a style of defense that attempts to force lots of turnovers. (UTEP is offensively challenged, similar to NU, but they have good athletes.) Early in the game, it was working, and UTEP built an 11-point lead in the first half. But DePaul adjusted, and they started making shots that they were missing earlier in the game. Overall, the first half was an even affair, but at the end of the half, DePaul banked in a half-court shot AND UTEP was called for a foul, so they got a 4-point play and lots of momentum going into the half. A 2-point lead at the half turned into a 6-point lead. And I guess that was a sign of things to come.
In the 2nd half, DePaul would not miss. They drained 3 after 3 and made a total of 14 for the game, shooting over 50% from beyond the arc. They just exploded. It reminded me of the Pitt game. They also hit 17 of 19 free throws, so we don't want to put them at the line. All five starters were in double-figures, and four of them shot at least 50% from beyond the arc. So, they showed balance on offense. UTEP's style of D did lead to some open looks, once DePaul adjusted and UTEP wasn't able to match them. But they were just on fire, hitting contested shots, too (like the ridiculous end to the first half).
On paper, this is a team that NU should be able to beat, but so was Pitt. The 'Cats can't afford to let these guys get open looks.
Don't sleep on DePaul.
