Since When is DePaul better than Clemson? - 04/06/2010 (118 views)

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Money is one thing.
Winning basketball games is another.
Former Clemson coach Oliver Purnell agreed to become the new coach for the DePaul Blue Demons.
Purnell, who has had quite the success the past couple seasons in South Carolina will be paid well beyond the $1.6 million dollars he was making at Clemson, so I guess money was his 'thing'.
"DePaul presents a great opportunity,'' Purnell said Tuesday morning shortly after Duke claimed the national title.
Is there something your not telling us Oliver? Lets look at the numbers.
DePaul finished 8-23 and 1-17 in the Big East this past season. As for the season before that, 9-24 and winless in the Big East conference.
"DePaul belongs in the elite of college basketball. DePaul belongs in the elite of the Big East. DePaul belongs as Chicago's college basketball team."
Do they belong there? I cannot see the Blue Demons moving anywhere but last in the Big East. Nor do I think they will be in the AP TOP 25 polls anytime soon. But if someone is to restore the program, Purnell is your man.
Purnell has had an above average record where ever has coached. From Radford, Dayton, Clemson, even Old Dominion, Purnell proves he can coach.
The NCAA tournament is a different story, however. Purnell is 0-6 all-time in the tournament and that mark is the third worst in NCAA history.
So where does Clemson stand? Who will be there next head coach. More than likely it will be an impressive candidate from a mind-major because that seems to be the trend. To prove that point, Boston College hired Steve Donahue, former Cornell coach.
So where does DePaul stand? Do you truly believe Purnell's comments that this program should be at the top and will be competitive in the Big East. Or did Purnell just want the extra cash and maybe the spotlight in the Windy City?


Comments
Evan Jacoby
(Wednesday, April 07 2010, 01:37 AM)

Haha Mike... we posted those comments at the exact same time. And pretty much said the same exact thing... Even mentioned the same names. Pretty funny stuff


Evan Jacoby
(Wednesday, April 07 2010, 01:35 AM)

It's so hard to win in the Big East because of all the top programs you have to compete with in terms of both recruiting and playing.

But he is right about 1 thing - DePaul is in a unique location. I think they have the potential to recruit much better players and try to get some of that talent from the Chicago area that they were unable to lock down in past years (Derrick Rose, Jon Scheyer as 2 examples).

It's a bold move for Purnell, but I like it. It seems like he's kind of bored with the same old results with the slightly above-average Clemson teams, year in and year out


Mike Vorel
(Wednesday, April 07 2010, 01:35 AM)

DePaul has actually been good before, and with their roots in Chicago if they can recruit in that city (Chicago recruits=Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, Jon Scheyer) they have the chance to be good again. If Purnell turns this program around he will be revered and will set himself up for a chance at an even more top-tier program.


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