DePaul basketball has made at least one three-pointer in 608 straight games. That’s insane. The last time they were scoreless from behind the arc was February 16th, 1993 versus UAB. The streak almost fell Wednesday night in a loss to Louisville. DePaul didn’t hit a three until late in the second half and they finished just 1-9 from the field. Something to watch for when they battle last place USF at 1 CDT tomorrow.
Of course, this streak needs proper perspective, it’s kind of like the Chicago Cubs no hit streak. The Cubs have played x games consecutively without being no-hit. DePaul basketball is 7-79 in Big East play since 2008. (‘08-’09 0-18, ’09-’10 1-17, ’10-’11 1-17, ’11-’12 3-15, ’12-’13 2-13) And of course the Cubs haven’t been to a World Series since 1945 or won it all since 1908. So both streaks, although valid and essential, are tragedy and farce rolled into one. Coach Oliver Purnell is 30-60 in his third season at the helm so things have gotten slightly better under his watch.
Despite all the losing, legendary college basketball and NBA coach Rick Pitino still believes in DePaul basketball. The current Louisville coach is the first to guide three different programs to a Final Four. He won a national championship with the Kentucky Wildcats and also once coached the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics.
He was asked why DePaul basketball was struggling so much lately.
“I can’t put my finger on it, because he’s a terrific coach, been around a long time. His dad was great,” Pitino said.
“They got players who play their tails off, 2 overtime losses to Notre Dame, I think sooner or later they’re going to get a break, and once they taste winning and the players get confident. And I root for them; the A.D. is a good friend of mine. They deserve some victories right now.”
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, a Google News site generating millions of visitors. He also contributes regularly to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, Walter Football.com and Yardbarker
A Fulbright scholar, author and MBA, Banks has appeared on the History Channel, as well as Clear Channel, ESPN and CBS radio all over the world. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB)