Demons a tight-knit group

Whenever a coach takes over a college basketball program, part of the fun for the fans is checking out all of the new gadgets and geegaws that accompany his arrival.

Oliver Purnell brought most of his staff and all of his entertaining style of play from Clemson to DePaul.

As part of the lucrative seven-year deal he signed with the Blue Demons, Purnell received authorization to hire a nationally recognized strength coach and purchase state-of-the-art weight-room equipment.

Purnell and DePaul also agreed to renovate the team's McGrath Arena locker room and deliver several other infrastructure upgrades.

But when it comes down to it, new players always are the most interesting part of a new program.

Fortunately for the Blue Demons and their fans, even though Purnell recruited just one of DePaul's freshmen, point guard Brandon Young and wing Moses Morgan and forward Cleveland Melvin already are about as tight as a trio can be.

“We're always together,” said Morgan, who rooms with Young. “Wherever you see me, you see the other two.”

Said Young: “They're my best friends. We're brothers. We joke a lot, laugh a lot, get mad at each other. Five minutes later, we get cool again.”

When they battle, it's over important stuff such as video-game supremacy or their favorite NBA players.

Morgan's guys are Baltimore products Carmelo Anthony and Rudy Gay, which is odd because Young and Melvin are the Demons who hail from Baltimore while Morgan grew up in Las Vegas. Melvin prefers LeBron James while Young backs Steve Nash.

“I go by position,” Young said. “I like to look at position.”

Fortunately for all three freshmen, they fill positions where DePaul needs help.

Actually, considering senior wing Mike Stovall (7.0 ppg) is the top returning scorer from a team that won one Big East game last year, the Demons need a boost everywhere.

Judging by DePaul's pair of preseason games against Division II teams, which included a 45-point win over Northwood and a 2-point loss to Lewis, Young and Melvin are ahead of Morgan in the race to make an immediate impact.

Young started both games at the point alongside former point guard Jeremiah Kelly, the junior who has been praised consistently by Purnell for his improved shot, his work ethic and his mentorship of Young.

“I hope (fans will) see a kid who plays the point guard position with some poise,” Purnell said. “Yet at the same time, he can create some things for us (even) when he's off the ball or in the running game.”

The 6-foot-8, 210-pound Melvin didn't start the exhibitions, but he's crucial to DePaul's omnipresent defensive pressure.

Melvin plays the same role as first-round draft pick Trevor Booker did for Clemson. He'll guard the inbounds passer, then use his athleticism and length to set up a trap. He produced 4 steals in 17 minutes against Lewis.

“An athlete that runs,” Purnell said. “Quick off the bounce. Can block shots.”

Morgan, the son of former Indiana standout Winston Morgan, turned down the chance to play at his father's alma mater in order to join DePaul.

He plays the same spot as Stovall, so he'll be more of a role player as the season initially.

“He's going to be counted on,” Purnell said. “He's a guy that can make shots. We need that on this team. We're not a great shooting team or we haven't proven to be at this point.”

DePaul has just 10 healthy scholarship players this year, but help is on the way. The Blue Demons signed five freshmen, led by top-100 prospect Shane Larkin at point guard, on Wednesday.

“I'm really excited about our recruiting class,” Purnell said. “Obviously we got a guy at each of the traditional positions. We feel like we addressed some needs. It's a very athletic group. Obviously that's important when you talk about DePaul basketball.”