College Basketball Preview
By Benjy Lipsman in News on Nov 18, 2009 8:00PM
College basketball season kicks off this week, with a number of our local teams taking the court for the first time. What's in store for some of our area's most prominent programs?
Illinois Fighting Illini
The Illini had another decent season in 2008-09, finishing 24-9 overall and tied with Purdue for second in the Big Ten with an 11-7 conference mark. The way their season ended, however, had to leave a bitter taste. The fifth seeded Illini fell to twelfth seeded Western Kentucky in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. The Illini are currently ranked 25th and are looking to prove that they are among the nation's top teams. A top-10 recruiting class join G Demetri McCamey (11.5 ppg, 4.6 apg) and F Mike Davis (11.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg). If the freshman are as good as advertisied, while maybe not yet a contender for the Final Four, the Illini could find themselves fighting for the Big Ten's top spot along with Michigan St., Purdue and Ohio St. come March.
DePaul Blue Demons
Once mighty DePaul has become the patsy of the Big East. The Blue Demons were winless in conference play (0-18) and just 9-24 overall. Coach Jerry Wainwright looks to right he ship with veterans. Anchors for the team are Mac Koshwal, a 6-10 junior, and senior guard Will Walker anchoring the starting line-up. Koshwal averaged averaged 12.2 points and 9.6 rebounds last season while Walker led the team with 14.6 points per game. A pair of newcomers also look to make significant contributions. Sophomore Eric Wallace is a transfer from Ohio State, and will start in DePaul's three-guard lineup, while junior-college transfer Mike Stovall figures to be the first off the bench. DePaul has no chance of making any real waves in the Big East this season, but they'd like to win a few games during conference play.
Northwestern WIldcats
The Wildcats made a rare postseason appearance last season, playing in the NIT Tournament following a 17-13 season, and looked to build upon that success by aiming for their first ever NCAA Tournament bid this season. But those dreams are unlikely now that Northwestern has lost star player Kevin Coble for the season. Even without Coble, the Wildcats return three starters from last season. They can probably expect a .500 season overall and a finish near the bottom of the Big Ten. Dreams of the Big Dance will have to wait another year, when Coble is likely to return for his final year of eligibility.