Scouting: DePaul, Northwestern, NIU basketball

Here's a look at three college men's basketball teams in action Wednesday night and early Thursday morning:

Detroit (1-2) at DePaul (2-0)

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Allstate Arena, Rosemont

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Skinny: The Blue Demons are gunning for their first 3-0 beginning since 2003-04, which coincidentally doubles as the program's last NCAA Tournament appearance. DePaul held its first two opponents to 64 and 63 points, respectively. Why bring that up? Because last season, the Blue Demons NEVER held back-to-back opponents under 70 points. Detroit is trying to rebuild under new coach Ray McCallum, who used his recent stint as an Indiana assistant to bring in some quality Division I talent. Until everyone becomes eligible, junior-college transfer Thomas Kennedy, a 6-foot-7 forward, leads the way with 12.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

Northwestern (3-0) at Butler (3-0)

When: 6 p.m. Wednesday at Hinkle Fieldhouse

Internet: horizonleaguenetwork.tv

Radio: WGN 720-AM

Skinny: Yes, Butler lost all but one starter from its 30-win team that took Tennessee to OT in the NCAA Tournament's second round. But that hardly seems to matter to the Bulldogs, who have fashioned another balanced attack that features monstrous sophomore forward Matt Howard (12.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg). Northwestern's veterans should have an idea how to handle Butler's offense since former coach Todd Lickliter moved to Iowa in 2007. NU senior guard Craig Moore shared Big Ten player of the week honors after hitting a school-record 9 3-pointers and scoring a career-high 31 points in Saturday's win at Brown. Moore and backcourt mate Juice Thompson have combined for 21 assists and just 2 turnovers.

Northern Illinois (2-2) vs. Portland State (3-0)

When: 12:45 a.m. Thursday at Sullivan Arena

Internet PPV: GoSeaWolves.com

Radio: WLBK 1360-AM

Skinny: Could there be a better way to start Thanksgiving than with a wee-hours game at the 31st Great Alaska Shootout? NIU has a tough draw in the Vikings, who returned three starters from last year's NCAA Tournament team and added three prominent Div. I transfers. The Huskies added several promising faces of their own, perhaps none moreso than co-MAC West player of the week Mike DiNunno. The Roselle resident averages 21.0 points per game, which ranks him among the nation's top 50 scorers. Hampton (1-2) and Alaska-Anchorage (0-3) are in the other half of NIU's bracket. San Diego State (2-1) looks like the class of the bracket's other side.