Demons host brawny Orange

The last time Syracuse ventured into the Allstate Arena, DePaul treated its visitor like a circus tiger with no further use for its trainer.

The Blue Demons, who weren't even good enough to make the Big East's postseason tournament, swallowed the Orange whole with a stupefying 108-69 victory on March 2, 2006.

DePaul senior swingman Karron Clarke poured in a career-high 27 points that he hasn't matched since.

In fact, he hasn't come close during Big East play this season. He's averaging just 5.9 points in league play.

To be sure, Blue Demons coach Jerry Wainwright wouldn't turn down another 27-point effort, should Clarke experience some deja vu when the teams meet at 7:30 p.m. today in Rosemont.

But first and foremost, Wainwright needs something else from Clarke.

"The most important thing for Karron to do for us is rebound," Wainwright said. "For a team short-handed on the front line, he needs to be really physical."

DePaul probably won't have 6-foot-10 junior center Matija Poscic due to his lingering hip strain.

The Blue Demons missed him enough at Marquette on Saturday night, but they'll miss him far more tonight against the massive Orange.

"We just played a bunch of roadrunners," Wainwright said. "Now, we're playing a bunch of road graders. We need to keep them from pushing us into the band."

Syracuse's top three rebounders combine for 24.9 per night, a number DePaul can't approach tonight unless someone such as Clarke suddenly doubles his 4.7 rebound average.

"One of the things that would get him back in the groove would be easy baskets," Wainwright said. "Hitting the offensive boards for putbacks."

Syracuse (14-7, 4-4) at DePaul (9-10, 4-3)

When: 7:30 p.m. at Allstate Arena

TV: Channel 23

Radio: www.depaulbluedemons.com

The skinny: If the Orange doesn't pick it up, it's going to wind up on the slippery side of the NCAA Tournament bubble again this year. Jim Boeheim's guys have an RPI that's borderline, and they've dropped four of their last six, though they just picked up a big win over Providence. Since the Orange features four double-figure scorers, led by 6-11 freshman small forward Donte Greene (18.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg), DePaul coach Jerry Wainwright believes this will be a game in which his team must outscore the opposition, if you know what he means. Here's a guide to potential victory: If DePaul can't make at least 10 3-pointers against the 'Cuse's traditional zone, it's going to be a long night. If senior guard Draelon Burns scores at least 5 points tonight, he'll pass Quentin Richardson and Andre Brown on the Blue Demons' all-time scoring list.

-- Lindsey Willhite

Texas-Pan American (14-10) at Northwestern (6-11)

When: 7 p.m. at Welsh-Ryan Arena

TV: www.bigtennetwork.com

Radio: WGN 720-AM

The skinny: The independent Broncs ride a seven-game winning streak into Evanston. That run includes a 9-point win at Chicago State on Monday night. That should put Northwestern on mild alert, since it had to put on a second-half burst to win by 18 at Chicago State two weeks ago. Wildcats coach Bill Carmody has dealt with season-long problems on defense, but now there's also offensive issues. After NU's 37-point effort at Illinois on Sunday night, Carmody declared he needs to figure out ways to get point guard Michael Thompson off the ball sometimes so he can be more of a scoring threat. At the same time, NU needs to re-establish Kevin Coble (3 points at Illinois) and Craig Moore (5 points) as it prepares for Sunday's trip to Indiana.

-- Lindsey Willhite

Miami, Ohio (8-10, 2-4) at Northern Illinois (5-13, 2-4)

When: 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center

Radio: WSEY 95.7-FM

The skinny: Since stunning Illinois in overtime on Dec. 20, the RedHawks have fallen on hard times. They lost five in a row before getting home wins over Buffalo and Eastern Michigan. Meanwhile, Northern Illinois, despite having used 10 starting lineups, continues to play games that go down to the wire. Three of their last four have been decided by 4 points or less. This contest starts a three-games-in-seven-days homestand, so this could be a chance for NIU to make a move in the MAC West. Freshman guard Jake Anderson continues to impress. The Chicago product earned his first double-double on Sunday at Bowling Green (18 points, 10 rebounds) and hit a career-high four 3-pointers.

-- Lindsey Willhite