billyjack wrote:Xavier again looked outstanding, vs Rider.
DePaul won by 24 vs Delaware State, and looked solid all game with good decision making, and just having a couple of semi-competent bigs (Maric, Butz, Rykschboch (sp)) has made a huge difference on the boards. Looking at trendlines, though it's only 2 game sample, DePaul looks much improved.
DePaul trendlines... so, vs Notre Dame only down 4 at the half... and vs Delaware State, a 24 point win, and they won each half by double-digits. They did this just once last year (winning each half by 10+), vs Chicago State.
Also, last year, i think DePaul had only two halftime leads of more than 3 points (had 9 pt lead at half vs Milwaukee, 38 pt lead vs Chicago State). Last year, of their 7 OOC wins, they were down at the half twice by a lot (vs Drake and vs SE Mo), and in others they struggled (vs Robert Morris).
next 4 will tell a lot about DePaul.
@ Illinois
Michigan St
Oregon/UConn
UNC/Portland/Arkansas/Oklahoma
They could be much improved, but come home after PK80 at 2-4 with only wins over Delaware St and Portland. If they could come home at 3-3, 8-4 seems very possible OOC(with only loss to Northwestern). The 2 Friday games these next 2 weeks are just huge. Illinois this Friday and then either Oregon or UConn next Friday. Getting even a split is just huge.