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Big East Basketball Power Rankings: DePaul, Butler exceeding expectations

By Lukas Harkins

VILLANOVA, PA - JANUARY 02: Saddiq Bey #15 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts after making a basket in front of Paul Reed #4 of the DePaul Blue Demons in the second half at Finneran Pavilion on January 2, 2019 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The Villanova Wildcats defeated the DePaul Blue Demons 73-68. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
VILLANOVA, PA - JANUARY 02: Saddiq Bey #15 of the Villanova Wildcats reacts after making a basket in front of Paul Reed #4 of the DePaul Blue Demons in the second half at Finneran Pavilion on January 2, 2019 in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The Villanova Wildcats defeated the DePaul Blue Demons 73-68. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 12: DePaul cheerleaders perform. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 12: DePaul cheerleaders perform. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

DePaul at No. 6? Is this an alternate reality? Somehow, the answer is no, as the Blue Demons have emphatically answered the call for a potential breakout season so far this year with exceptional play on the court. Everybody knew that DePaul’s talent level was significantly higher than normal for this campaign but they are actually living up to the hype thus far and that is worth praising. DePaul currently sits at 5-0 on the year and they put the entire conference on notice with a dominating road victory over Iowa in the Gavitt Games. I am not ready to completely buy into the Blue Demons as a potential NCAA Tournament team, but they might be knocking on the door of that possibility.

Leading the way for this squad is Paul Reed. A high-energy junior that really burst onto the scene last season, it appears as though Reed has taken another substantial step with his game. Through five contests this season, Reed is averaging 14.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game. He is absolutely doing it all while impressing NBA scouts across the country.

Additionally, Charlie Moore has stepped into a significant role as the team’s secondary scorer as expected while Jaylen Butz is posting 10.4 points per game so far as well. Star freshman Romeo Weems is also living up to the hype with his do-it-all abilities. For the time being, the Blue Demons do not need him to be a top-tier scorer and therefore he is making his impact defensively, on the glass, and with his passing while also managing to put up 9.2 points per game. It is clear that this team has plenty of talent at the top and it will be interesting to see if they can carry this momentum into more challenging games.

I am hesitant to believe in DePaul, as already mentioned, but it is impossible to not be excited about their potential. The Blue Demons have never reached the NCAA Tournament as a member of the Big East (14 years). Could this finally be the year that changes? We will have to wait to find out, but a few very difficult non-conference matchups still loom to provide the opportunity to learn more about DePaul’s prospects.

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