DePaul hopes to shake the blues in San Juan

DePaul is headed to a part of the world where most people go to get sun-splashed relief from the neck down.

Unfortunately for the Blue Demons, most of their problems are from the neck up.

Mental breakdowns at both ends of the court and the inability to avoid hangovers from tough losses have left DePaul at 2-5, its worst start since 1996-97, when the team finished 3-23 in Joey Meyer's final season as coach. DePaul has two fewer victories than any other major conference team and could be facing a long road to the .500 mark, much less the postseason.

The Blue Demons hope for a breakthrough in Puerto Rico at the San Juan Shootout, where they play three games in as many days beginning Thursday against unbeaten Mississippi.

"We're frustrated," coach Jerry Wainwright said. "We come down 3-on-1 and miss a layup. All of a sudden, there's two passes and somebody makes a 3. You block a shot, it goes right to somebody for a 3. Those things are symptomatic of a team being on its heels.

"We have to shake the blues."

DePaul wanted to form a different identity this year with an influx of new faces, but instead it has lost the defensive grit displayed in Wainwright's first two seasons. Opponents are averaging 79 points and shooting 47 percent - 42.6 percent from 3-point range - against the Demons.

After his team allowed just 61.4 points per game in Big East games last year, Wainwright had hoped to build on that defensive prowess. The losses of Wilson Chandler, Marcus Heard and Keith Butler would hurt inside, but DePaul seemed to have plenty of experience to protect the perimeter.

Turns out, opposing guards are stinging DePaul, particularly top reserves like Creighton's P'Allen Stinnett (23 points), North Carolina A&T's Steven Rush (40 points) and Illinois-Chicago's Robert Kreps (19 points).

"We're getting chewed up on the perimeter," Wainwright said. "Every time you turn around, somebody's getting in the lane or has an open 3-point shot. The non-blockouts have come from perimeter guys, not post guys. I thought we would take a step forward based upon the experience. We certainly haven't.

"Rather than starting with an advanced degree, we better go back to the little red schoolhouse and concentrate on basics."

With increased offensive production from freshmen Dar Tucker (13.7 ppg) and Mac Koshwal (10.7 ppg), Wainwright could have top scorer Draelon Burns focus more on the defensive end. Burns dramatically improved his defense last season, and the Demons need a stopper after the graduation loss of Sammy Mejia.

Senior swingman Karron Clarke also could shift to the perimeter if Matija Poscic or Wesley Green can play solid post minutes with Koshwal.

Guard play is also Wainwright's main concern on offense. Despite a decent scoring average (75 ppg), DePaul struggles to avoid empty possessions and consistently make free throws.

The search continues for a steady point guard, but Tucker (13.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg) is arguably the top all-around player and best backcourt rebounder, grabbing as many offensive boards as defensive boards (22).

"Coach told me that's what he wants me to do, bring the energy," Tucker said. "That's why I try to do it every game."

DePaul will see three distinct styles in Puerto Rico, beginning with Mississippi, which ranks third nationally in scoring (89.9 ppg) but has played a soft schedule. The Demons then face the pressure defense of No. 15 Clemson before finishing Saturday against La Salle.

"We have to think on a much more positive wavelength," Wainwright said. "Getting away from school a little bit here, playing high-level teams, hopefully that's the medicine that gets us feeling good about ourselves."

DePaul (2-5) vs. Mississippi (8-0)

When: 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Mario Morales Coliseum in Guyanabo, Puerto Rico

Radio: Available at www.depaulbluedemons.com

The skinny: For the third time in four games, DePaul faces an undefeated team. Mississippi hasn't really been tested this season but boasts a formidable front line in center Dwayne Curtis (14.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg), a Chicago native, and forward Kenny Williams (10.3 ppg, 8.8 rpg). Freshman point guard Chris Warren bolsters the Rebels, averaging 14.8 points and 6 assists per game. DePaul freshman guard Michael Bizoukas will not play in the tournament as he continues to recover from illness. Bizoukas had mononucleosis during the preseason. "I don't know if he was ever sure of how sick he was," coach Jerry Wainwright said. "He's at a point right now where he's really run down and where we're very concerned that he would have a relapse."

- Adam Rittenberg