DePaul's Rough Road AheadNew Head Coach Kenny Payne is just months into the reclamation project at DePaul. Turning around the men's basketball program, a once storied program, now lives in the shadow of Ray Meyer. It seems a distant memory; the days of consistent success, 20+ win seasons, tournament appearances, and a winning basketball culture.
The focus on 'culture' has been key for Payne. It was part of his decision making when he put together his coaching staff. He said it will also play a role in how he shapes the roster, what types of players he recruits, and the style of basketball they expect to play.
"We want to get back to winning." Payne said. "Let's make it simple. We play to win and do the things it takes to win at the highest level. That means playing smart, working hard... not making mistakes. It also means becoming a tough matchup... (DePaul) has been a pushover for too long. Not feared, not taken seriously; every win is considered an upset. That's not okay."
That's definitely true of the last few seasons under Coach Dave Leitao. When he returned, he was instructed to 'right the ship,' get them to a competitive level in the Big East.
It did not happen under Leitao and now DePaul carries exhaustive losing streaks and records into this season. The one that sticks out for most fans and people around the program: 17 seasons without an NCAA tournament appearance. In the next few years, it's likely DePaul will start recruiting players that were not even alive that last time they made the NCAA tournament (2004).
Back then, in 2004, DePaul won 21 games under Coach Leitao and earned a #7 seed in the big dance. They beat Dayton in overtime in the first round, only to follow that with a loss to eventual national champion, UConn. The Huskies, now a conference foe, were led by Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon, crushed the Blue Demons in the Round of 32.
The 2003-04 season was their last trip to the NCAA Tournament, but it's not the only distant date that sticks out. Coach Payne has mentioned November 21st, 2000 as the last time that DePaul was ranked. Not even during their nine game winning streak two seasons ago did DePaul crack the Top 25.
While those two moments are at the front of Kenny Payne's thinking, he said there is another streak that he's focused on now. That streak is the road losing streak that dates back to early in the 2019-20 season.
After not winning a road game last season, it means that the team's last road win was December 18, 2019 against Cleveland State. DePaul did not win a conference road game that season, along with last year. So the Big East road losing streak goes back even farther.
February 9, 2019. DePaul beat Xavier in the Cintas Center to move to 13-9 on the season. It got them within a game of .500 for their conference record. It proved to be their last road win in the Big East. Kenny Payne has said that's something that must be fixed this season.
The road (pun intended) forward for DePaul looks long. A new Head Coach, new AD, and a new outlook for the program are helpful, but Payne and Peevy are being asked to exorcise some major demons inside the basketball program. Both men have already told fans to be patient, but to expect (and demand) more.