Big East Basketball: 2019-20 offseason questions facing each team

DePaul: Can talent overcome poor recent team history?

Despite having what many would consider one of their best rosters in recent history, DePaul is still widely projected to finish in the bottom third of the Big East this season. This is definitely a result of the program’s poor performances in the past several years but is that truly warranted? Shouldn’t we just evaluate this team based on its talent rather than prior struggles for the program? Well, yes and no. Of course, this team certainly looks to be talented on paper but it is difficult to trust this program because they have shown flashes of improvement over the years without truly skyrocketing up the rankings.

In 14 years as a member of the Big East (both before and after realignment), the Blue Demons have recorded only one winning season in conference play. The program has been absolutely dreadful over of this stretch and it is hard to imagine a major leap occurring in a year where the rest of the conference is expected to be quite strong as well. They are, though, fresh off their first overall winning season since 2006-07. The question marks clearly center on whether or not those successes last season were a byproduct of a down conference or a rising Blue Demons’ program.

With Paul Reed and Romeo Weems expected to lead the frontcourt, DePaul will be a tough team to match up with. Coach Leitao clearly has one of his most talented rosters ever this season and it will be up to the coaching staff to build a winner. DePaul is facing an uphill climb in a tough Big East but the potential is there for them to rise up the rankings.

DePaul in 2019-20: Talented? Yes. Successful? We’ll find out.