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DePaul Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Blue Demons

By Bryan Mauro

PROVIDENCE, RI - FEBRUARY 27: Darrick Wood #1, Myke Henry #4, and Joe Hanel #33 of the DePaul Blue Demons reacts minutes before a loss against the Providence Friars in the second half on February 27, 2016, at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
PROVIDENCE, RI - FEBRUARY 27: Darrick Wood #1, Myke Henry #4, and Joe Hanel #33 of the DePaul Blue Demons reacts minutes before a loss against the Providence Friars in the second half on February 27, 2016, at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 03: J.P. Macura #55 of the Xavier Musketeers is defended by Jaylen Butz #2 of the DePaul Blue Demons during the first half on March 3, 2018 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 03: J.P. Macura #55 of the Xavier Musketeers is defended by Jaylen Butz #2 of the DePaul Blue Demons during the first half on March 3, 2018 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

Schedule Overview and Outlook

DePaul enters the season with zero expectations in the national landscape once again. Leitao and the players have expectations but playing in the competitive Big East conference those expectations should be tempered.  The Blue Demons have far too many question marks to think that a huge turnaround can be expected. However, unlike years past Leitao has multiple players he can rely on, and his starting five has the potential to be dangerous once they all gel together.

In the Non-Conference portion of the schedule, the Blue Demons have games scheduled against the other three Chicago area teams with Chicago State, Northwestern, and Illinois-Chicago. They also have games scheduled with Penn State and at Notre Dame. The remainder of the schedule is filled with games that DePaul is going to win. DePaul will go 2-1 in the Chicago challenge, with the loss to Northwestern being likely. DePaul gets Penn State in Chicago, which could prove the difference in the upset.

The Notre Dame matchup is a game that DePaul is going to be overmatched in and may lose by many points. The last home game before the conference season is another ACC matchup with the Boston College Eagles who are going to be much improved. This game is in Chicago and much like Penn State could prove an early-season upset.

The Big East portion of the schedule is balanced. The Blue Demons play each team twice one home and one away. DePaul has been overmatched for most of Leitao’s second tenure at the school. This year is going to pose a lot of the same problems. On paper, the DePaul team is on equal footing with a few teams in the league.

Next. Preseason Big East Rankings for 2018-19. dark

However, on the court it often shows that DePaul is destined to be in the basement of the Big East for years to come. If they were ever going to move out of that spot this would be the year. The roster is as sneaky as it gets and has players who are going to fit into their role nicely. Leitao has assembled his most talented team since he has been back in Chicago. Even with the uptick in talent DePaul is still going to finish in the bottom tier of the league.

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