Inconsistent DePaul heads off to St. John's
During DePaul's pre-conference gloom, coach Jerry Wainwright often dropped an F-bomb when describing his players.
It wasn't a curse word, but it stung just as much. He called them fragile.
The Blue Demons have since improved their mental toughness, but it hasn't always translated into consistent play.
"I like our mental health, I like our chemistry," Wainwright said Thursday, "but how about, like, making an open shot? Let's take the consistency we get now from an emotional and a chemistry standpoint and let's bring it to results."
DePaul aims for a positive result in its Big East road opener Saturday against St. John's (11 a.m., Channel 23). A win at tiny Carnesecca Arena - where DePaul travels for the first time since 1985 - would make the Demons 3-1 in league play and turn the page on Tuesday's unsightly loss to Georgetown.
Wainwright didn't fault the effort or even the shot selection against the Hoyas, but he admits the team's unpredictable play brings more questions than answers.
"This type of ride is really hard on you because everyone around you asks, 'Which team's going to show up?' " Wainwright said.
DePaul hopes it's the one with solid senior leadership. Seniors Draelon Burns, Karron Clarke, Wesley Green and Cliff Clinkscales stepped up in last week's win against Villanova, but they struggled to score against Providence and flat-lined against Georgetown (6-for-29 shooting, 15 points).
As the veterans ebb and flow, freshman Mac Koshwal has developed into the team's most consistent player. Koshwal, who likely will defend St. John's forward Justin Burrell (12.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg) in a matchup of elite freshmen, has scored in double figures in the last six games and nine of his last 11. He has grabbed 8 or more rebounds in 10 of 14 games this season.
"He's a workaholic, man," Clarke said. "That's all he does. He loves being down low, getting rebounds, all the dirty work, putbacks, whatever it takes for us to win.
"That's why I love playing with him."
After two down games, Clarke tries to jumpstart himself on the road, where he traditionally shoots well. Last year, the 6-foot-6 swingman scored 21 points at Rutgers and added 13 in a win against Rhode Island.
Clarke averaged 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds three weeks ago at the San Juan Shootout.
"I don't know what it is," Clarke said, smiling. "I do sometimes feel like I'm more comfortable on the road."
Saturday should feel more like a home game for Clarke, who grew up in Brooklyn and played in high school playoff games at St. John's. Clinkscales grew up just 10 minutes from the 6,000-seat arena, which Clarke likened to DePaul's McGrath Arena, where the Demons practice.
Whether the cozy atmosphere helps DePaul's shooting is critical. The Demons missed their first 7 shots against Georgetown and lacked cohesion on offense.
"You should learn (from the loss), but you shouldn't harbor," Wainwright said. "Don't be gun-shy. I would hope that we still have a level of confidence based upon some of the progress we've made."
DePaul (6-8, 2-1) at St. John's (7-7, 1-2)
When: 11 a.m. Saturday at Carnesecca Arena
TV: Channel 23
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
The skinny: After letting tough losses linger earlier in the season, DePaul claims it is past the hangover stage. After a humbling loss to Georgetown, the Blue Demons can prove their resiliency today against a beatable St. John's team. The Red Storm are 5-1 at Carnesecca Arena this season with a win against Cincinnati and a loss to Niagara. Freshman forward Justin Burrell (12.4 ppg) leads four St. John's scorers who average in double figures. "He's going to be a star in this league," DePaul coach Jerry Wainwright said of Burrell. Demons senior guard Draelon Burns (17.6 ppg) has scored just 14 points in his last two games after tallying double figures in the previous 10 contests.