DePaul looks to shake negativity against KU

There's a bitterness brewing among DePaul players and coaches, who feel they've been written off way too soon this season.

Granted, the quick start the Blue Demons wanted hasn't taken place. The sting from a home loss to North Carolina A&T lingers, much like the early setbacks of last season. And at 2-2, DePaul sits at the bottom of the Big East.

But the pessimism surrounding a team that has played only 13.3 percent of its games has rankled third-year coach Jerry Wainwright.

"There really has been kind of a negative cloud over our team," Wainwright said Wednesday. "It's certainly not the press. The media's been more than fair. … We're a society of unrealistic expectations. In some ways, we're right back to square one because we spent a lot of time developing kids that aren't here right now.

"I'm more patient than our players. They've been booed at home. They're young kids. Whether people want to pay and boo, that means nothing to me. But we've played four games. We're 2-2."

The criticism hasn't gone unnoticed by the players, who mention it without being asked to comment.

"Everybody's talking about us losing to North Carolina A&T," senior center Wesley Green said. "Coach prepared us well and we didn't follow up. Everybody's blaming him, but he hasn't shot one basket, set a pick or grabbed a rebound.

"Everybody takes it the wrong way sometimes."

Added senior guard Draelon Burns: "A lot of guys are down on us. So if we pull this one out, we should be on top."

DePaul can certainly boost public perception today with an upset of No. 3 Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse (1 p.m., ESPN). The undefeated Jayhawks, a popular preseason Final Four pick, have won eight games by an average of 26.2 points.

Despite the NBA departure of Julian Wright and a fractured foot suffered by scrappy Chicagoan Sherron Collins, Kansas remains one of the nation's deepest teams. Four players average in double figures for points, seven players average 3 or more rebounds per game and three have 30 or more assists.

Junior guard Brandon Rush, a prototype NBA shooting guard, is back along with sharpshooter Mario Chalmers. But Wainwright is most impressed with senior point guard Russell Robinson and classmate Darnell Jackson, the team's top rebounder (6.8 rpg).

"They are physical, both of them are great defenders," Wainwright said. "They know who they are. They're the backbone of that team."

Last year, DePaul stunned fifth-ranked Kansas 64-57 behind an exemplary performance from Sammy Mejia, who scored 23 points and shut down Rush. The Demons effectively pressured Kansas' guards and used Wilson Chandler and Marcus Heard to seal off the lane.

Though Wainwright would love a similar outcome, this game will be more up-tempo.

"I'm not going there to hold the ball," Wainwright said. "We're not going to get anything out of a tactical game. I don't have a tactical team right now."

Wainwright outlined two keys for today's tilt:

• DePaul must limit turnovers and prevent Kansas' high-octane transition game from kicking into gear.

• DePaul can't get destroyed in rebounding despite Kansas' size advantage. The Demons need good minutes out of Green and continued rebounding production from Mac Koshwal (8 rpg), Karron Clarke (6 rpg) and Dar Tucker (5.3 rpg).

"You can't give them undefended baskets," Wainwright said, "which are turnovers for points - the most critical stat in games on the road - and the second thing is putbacks."

Unlike most teams that face Kansas, DePaul has positive history on its side. Six current players appeared in last year's win against the Jayhawks. The Demons have recently notched a win before a hostile road crowd in the state of Kansas, beating Kansas State in a second-round NIT matchup last season.

Wainwright has won in Allen Fieldhouse before, coaching Richmond to a win in 2004. He made sure to mention the game to his players this week, though Green needed no refresher.

"In high school, I saw that happen," Green said. "I'm a basketball fanatic. I don't forget too much."

Unfortunately for DePaul, neither does Kansas.

"They'll be highly ready to get us back from last year," Burns said. "They really want to stomp us to the ground."

DePaul (2-2) at Kansas (8-0)

When: 1 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse

TV: ESPN Radio: WSCR 670-AM

The skinny: DePaul has had 10 days to prepare for today's monumental test and is experiencing "unbelievable cabin fever," coach Jerry Wainwright said. Allen Fieldhouse is hardly a refuge, and the Demons need a strong start today. "The secret to all of this is staying close," Wainwright said. "In arenas like that against teams that good, everybody's looking for a knockout. We're going to have to withstand an onslaught." Demons freshmen Kene Obi and Mario Stula did not travel to Kansas as they await clearance from the NCAA on their amateur status. Kansas guard Brandon Rush avoided a suspension despite spending time in jail Thursday after being arrested on two outstanding warrants.