Big East Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2022-23 season

10. DePaul Blue Demons

Projected Lineup

G: Jalen Terry (Junior)

G: Tyon Grant-Foster (5th Year)

G: Zion Cruz (Fresh.)

F: Philmon Gebrewhit (Soph.)

C: Nick Ongenda (Senior)

After being bottom dwellers in the Big East under Dave Leitao, finishing in last place in the conference four out of six years, DePaul made another coaching change, bringing in Oregon assistant Tony Stubblefield. Under Coach Stubblefield, the Blue Demons still finished 10th out of 11 teams but showed vast improvements on the court. They were led by a dynamic duo of Javon Freeman-Liberty and David Jones, as the pair combined to average over 35 points every night.

Unfortunately for the Blue Demons, both players will not be with the program next year, as Freeman-Liberty is going pro, and Jones entered the transfer portal. So where does that leave DePaul? Back where they started. There is no true star on this Blue Demons team heading into 2022-23, unlike last year when you could argue they had two.

Jalen Terry is going to look to build off a strong sophomore campaign. Nick Ongenda and Yor Anei both return to lock down the interior defensively. Top 100 recruit Zion Cruz comes in with an opportunity to play right away and contribute. Kansas transfer Tyon Grant-Foster will look to play a much bigger role after playing just one game last year due to injury.

This group will be competitive, but that might be all they’ll be. If Stubblefield’s culture stays the same from last year, this team won’t be a cakewalk every night.