Cliff Alexander - This Generation's Mark Aguirre for Depaul?

[Tugg Speedman]

If Alexander picks Depaul ... is he this generations Mark Aguirre that turns them around?
(Alexander is ranked #3 in the nation)

DePaul, Illinois among Alexander's top 5

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/highschool/ct-spt-1008-bkb-alexander-top-five,0,7754305.story

Curie’s Cliff Alexander is down to five, and Illinois and DePaul are still on the 6-foot-9 senior’s list.

Alexander, the No. 4 prospect in the nation according to Rivals.com, tweeted out a final five Monday of Illinois, DePaul, Kansas, Memphis and Michigan State. He tweeted Tuesday that he will make the announcement Nov. 16.

Mike Irvin, Alexander’s AAU coach on the Mac Irvin Fire, said all five have a “legitimate” shot.

“There is something he likes about all five,” said Irvin, who said he speaks with Alexander daily. “He doesn’t want to make a quick decision. This is his career.”

Alexander has taken official visits to DePaul and Kansas and plans to take trips to the other schools in the next month, according to Irvin.

His goal is to declare for the NBA draft after one year in college.

“He’s already physically ready,” Irvin said. “If they still had the rule that you could go straight out of high school, he’d put his name in and probably be a top five pick.”

[jesmu84]

Nm

[Tugg Speedman]

Again, he is ranked No. 3 in the nation (6'9" PF).  If he picks depaul he could be a game changer for Purnell.

[hairy worthen]

Again, he is ranked No. 3 in the nation (6'9" PF).  If he picks depaul he could be a game changer for Purnell.

A competitive De Paul is good for the Big East and Marquette.

[Tugg Speedman]

A competitive De Paul is good for the Big East and Marquette.

+1

I also think a competitive Depaul is good for MU. 

[LAZER]

It's going to take more than a potential 1-and-done recruit for DePaul to get their act together, but Alexander is a great place to start.

[brewcity77]

The problem with having a one-and-done as your program changer is what do you do when they leave? Maybe Alexander and some decent returning players (though with Melvin and Young gone after this year, does DPU have that?) could get into the Dance and make a little run, but when he leaves, you now have raised expectations and a severe deficit of quality.

I think Alexander would buy Purnell some time, but unless he stays 2 years or they can put some quality pieces around him, it will only be like putting a bandaid on gunshot wound to the chest.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

It certainly wont hurt though.

[brewcity77]

It certainly wont hurt though.

I think it could if they can't build on it. Look at how many Marquette fans were upset with Crean after we missed the NCAAs the two years after Wade left. We didn't see the immediate recruiting boost we hoped for and quite a few people I talked to were worried about the direction of the program. I'm not sure even the most diehard of Marquette fans thought we could finish in the top-4 of the Big East that first year.

What if DePaul gets Alexander and makes a similar run, to the Elite Eight, and when he leaves the cupboard is completely bare. What if Billy Garrett, fresh off being the PG on an Elite Eight team, follows Alexander to the NBA? Suddenly you have a fanbase that has a new standard of expectation and even less talent than you had before the spike of success?

Alexander could be the recruit that saves Purnell, but he could also be the recruit that gets him fired, even if they are successful with Cliff in the fold. What Aguirre did, he did in three years at DePaul. That gave the Demons time to build up around him. You don't have the same luxury with a one-and-done.