ESPN.com - College Basketball - Preview Top 25 -- No. 23 DePaul

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Thursday, November 2
Preview Top 25 -- No. 23 DePaul

23. DEPAUL	LAST YEAR: 21-12	'99-00 RANK: NR
Why No. 23?: OK, so Quentin Richardson is gone, but the Blue Demons aren't going to drop too far. Imari Sawyer will step in as the starting point, giving the Blue Demons a legit playmaker. Rashon Burno was much more of a defensive specialist and would be better served as a complement to Sawyer. Bobby Simmons was a hit at the Under 20 national trials and should get more looks without Richardson. The key will be the development of the trio in the frontcourt -- Lance Williams, Steve Hunter and Jon Oden. If the Blue Demons get Andre Brown eligible, it opens up a host of options for Pat Kennedy. Brown could be the scorer to replace Richardson. If he's not eligible for the first or the second semester, DePaul will be a short another necessary scorer. Will Climb If: DePaul can consistently stay atop Conference USA. The Blue Demons can't afford their lapses this season like they had a year ago. Home losses to Marquette, Saint Louis and Louisville hurt DePaul's eventual NCAA seeding. The three non-conference losses before New Year's -- Texas, Duke and UCLA -- were all acceptable. The schedule isn't any easier this year with a potential matchup against Missouri in the Great Alaska Shootout and road stops at Missouri (yes it was scheduled) and Florida. Kennedy can get RPI points to move up if he can beat Kansas and UCLA at home. Will Fall If: Sawyer is too wild at the point and doesn't mesh with Burno in the backcourt; or if Brown isn't eligible; or if Oden and Hunter can't coexist in the frontcourt. Chemistry is an over used term, but it is critical to this team's success. There is too much talent on the roster for this team not to contend for the Conference USA title and an eighth or higher NCAA seed. Bilas Breakdown \| HTV's Take \| Team Page

"Your comments on Wake were about as accurate as any I've seen. The two most underrated players in the ACC, and possibly the country, are Darius Songaila and Josh Howard. If they play to their abilities, and Murray keeps O'Kelley off the point, the Deacs have a strong supporting cast that can take them a long way in the post-season. Thanks for an accurate assessment."
J. Batts, Rocky Mount, N.C.

"I'm assuming, by your comments on Wake, that Virginia didn't make the Top 25. With everyone returning from a team that got shafted from the tourney last year, however, the Cavs have Sweet 16 written all over them."
Jared Rubin, Chesapeake, Va.

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