At point, DePaul takes a 3-for-1 approach
Jerry Wainwright is fond of football references, and he knows the line about using multiple quarterbacks but really having none.
Yet when it comes to designating a quarterback for DePaul's basketball team, Wainwright is comfortable rotating several players. In fact, since he started coaching college ball, Wainwright has never played only one point guard.
"I'm not so sure it's a one-man position any more," Wainwright said Wednesday.
DePaul's search for point guard stability has dragged on at least a decade, possibly stretching as far back as 1992, when academic problems forced Howard Nathan to transfer. This season, the Blue Demons are using three point guards - junior Jabari Currie, senior Cliff Clinkscales and freshman Mike Bizoukas.
Currie has started two seasons at point guard, becoming the first Demons player since Rod Strickland to lead the team in assists in each of his first two seasons. But Wainwright admits the 6-4 Currie is a better scorer off the ball, and might be needed for points and rebounds.
Clinkscales is a situational player who performed well at the end of games last year but likely won't play chunks of minutes. Bizoukas, who has played point guard his "whole life," is best suited to the position, but his young age and a preseason bout with mononucleosis are concerns.
They have combined for as many assists (11) as turnovers in the first two games, but Wainwright is optimistic about their potential.
"I feel a lot better at that position this year than I did last year," Wainwright said. "Jabari's a year older, and we have a great fallback in Mike. He may be our best on-the-ball defender. He was recruited to talk.
"You have to recruit leadership."
With Draelon Burns, Karron Clarke and Clinkscales graduating, Currie likely will be moved off the ball next season. Bizoukas will compete at point guard with incoming freshman Jeremiah Kelly.
"I just keep trying to earn the older guys' respect," Bizoukas said. "(Wainwright) wants me to play defense and transfer the ball. As a point guard, you've got make everybody happy. We've got to get the big guys more touches."
Centers Wesley Green and Mac Koshwal have attempted only 9 shots each in the first two games.
Recruiting recap: After receiving National Letters of Intent from guard Jeremiah Kelly and Devin Hill, a 6-9 forward from Connecticut, Wainwright could finally talk about DePaul's newest additions. Here's a sampling of his comments:
On Kelly: "A hard-nosed combo guard who grew up on the playgrounds of Chicago. He's a very vocal leader. Losing Cliff (Clinkscales), Jeremiah's a great step-in guy."
On Hill: "He's 6-9, he's lean, he runs, his best basketball's really ahead of him. … He's a perfect developmental forward in the Big East."
DePaul could add another big man in the spring.
Inches to go: Freshmen Mario Stula and Kene Obi remain sidelined as the NCAA reviews amateurism issues with both. … The suspension of sophomore forward Thijin Moses for violating team policy could be nearing an end, Jerry Wainwright said. … Draelon Burns' injured right shoulder has improved, but Wainwright doesn't know if the guard is 100 percent. "The best balm or salve was the game-winner," Wainwright said, referring to Burns' decisive basket with 6 seconds left against Northwestern.