Big East Basketball: Will anyone challenge the defending champs?

Mar 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Seton Hall Pirates guard Khadeen Carrington (0) cuts down the net after the Pirates won the championship game of the Big East conference tournament against Villanova at Madison Square Garden. Seton Hall Pirates defeated Villanova Wildcats 69-67.Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 1, 2016; Villanova, PA, USA; DePaul Blue Demons guard Eli Cain (11) shoots over Villanova Wildcats guard Phil Booth (5) during the first half at The Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

10. DePaul Blue Demons

2015-16 record: 9-22 overall, 3-15 in Big East

Head coach: Dave Leitao

Key returning players: Billy Garrett Jr., Eli Cain, Darrick Wood, R.J. Curington, Erten Gazi, Peter Ryckbosch

Newcomers: Three-star PF Al Eichelberger, three-star SG Brandon Cyrus, non-ranked PG Devin Gage, non-ranked C Levi Cook, JUCO SF Tre’Darius McCallum, Western Kentucky transfer G Chris Harrison-Docks

I promise you Blue Demon fans, DePaul is on the upswing. It’s Billy Garrett’s final season in Chicago, but the program’s recruiting success, the fact that they landed former ESPN top 100 talent Austin Grandstaff as a transfer and their newly built arena that is set to open next year gives DePaul hope for the future.

They haven’t had a winning season since 2007 and haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2004 (when Dave Leitao had his first stint at DePaul). Unfortunately, this is not the year that they break out of the cellar, as they are losing a lot of experience off last year’s ninth place team.

The Blue Demons won’t have the services of their leading scorer and rebounder Myke Henry, veteran forward Tommy Hamilton IV, shooter Aaron Simpson and bench big Rashaun Stimage.

Garrett is back in the fold to run the team, while sophomore guard Eli Cain is set to have a breakout season after finding his rhythm down the stretch of 2015-16. But beyond the two guards, where is DePaul going to get their production from?

Wood is a role player, but not a third scorer. Curington, Gazi and Ryckbosch are completely unproven. Also, the freshman certainly cannot be counted on to provide major minutes right off the bat.

That’s where forward Tre’Darius McCallum and 5’11” guard Chris Harrison-Docks come into play.

McCallum averaged 11.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for Indian Hills Community College last season, while shooting 56 percent from the field and 41 percent from long range. Those numbers earned him second team NJCAA All-Region honors and helped his team reach the NJCAA D1 National Tournament.

Harrison-Docks put up 10.0 points, 1.9 assists and 1.0 rebounds per game in 2015-16 for Western Kentucky. He struggled with his efficiency and playmaking ability, but he has the experience to help DePaul in Big East play.

Ultimately, the Blue Demons just don’t have the talent, depth and front court size to challenge for a spot in the middle of the conference standings.

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