When we were young, DePaul basketball was a force. Coached by the legendary Ray Meyer, the Blue Demons were perennial NCAA tournament participants and usually made it to the Sweet 16 -- although we were too young to remember their Final Four run in '79. Even after the elder Meyer handed over the reigns to his son Joey, DePaul was among the top basketball programs and regularly signed the top area recruits. more ›

Before there was Wilt Chaimberlain, Bill Russell or Shaquille O'Neal there was George Mikan. The NBA's first dominant center and superstar, Mikan died last night at 80. Mikan was born and raised in Joliet, IL before enrolling at DePaul. He didn't play high school basketball, but legendary coach Ray Meyer -- then in his first year coaching -- took the 6'10" giant under his wing and taught him the game. He became so dominant at... more ›