Oliver Purnell out at DePaul

[GGGG]

It would take DePaul getting monumentally better to allow us to have a rivalry with them on that level. But if a decent DePaul would benefit, why has it never benefited us before? Ray Meyer's rise at DePaul coincided with Al's departure and Marquette's decline in the late 70s/early 80s. When did DePaul start to fall off? The early 90s, about the same time Kevin O'Neill made Marquette relevant again.

Enter Mike Deane, who had early success, and Pat Kennedy, who had early struggles. In three of Deane's four 20 win seasons, DePaul had a losing record. Then as Deane's team clunked in 98-99 and Crean took over with some struggles in 99-00, Kennedy had his two best years in Chicago. Crean's team got better as Kennedy's got worse. Dave Leitao took over and his two most successful seasons were the seasons Marquette went to the NIT. Since the Amigos arrived, DePaul has collapsed. Wainright had one 20-win season while Purnell was a disaster.

Then we come to this year. Marquette has their worst record since Bob Dukiet and Purnell has his most successful season at DePaul.

I get the thoughts of why we should be able to have a good rivalry with DePaul. But seriously, line the two teams' records up over the past 30 years and you'll see that for whatever reason, it just doesn't work. DePaul's ups and Marquette's downs and vice versa line up nearly perfectly. There were a few early years under Hank that both teams were pretty good, but DePaul pulled away as they managed to snag recruits like Terry Cummings and Mark Aguirre that would have ended up at Marquette.

In theory, a rivalry with them should work. In reality, it hasn't been the case for the better part of three decades and counting.

I think that is coincidence more than anything.  Marquette and DePaul can both be good at the same time.  It's not as though Marquette is highly dependent on Chicago for recruits.  Since McNeal, I believe the only recruit Marquette has pulled out of Chicago has been Steve Taylor.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Howland will be the early name for almost every major job opening mainly because he's unemployed (as a coach), and taking away his last couple years at UCLA, a lot of success.  I don't get why he remains unemployed.  

Doesn't pass the sniff test. There's some rotten skeletons in his closet

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Reading that article, I don't believe a word Purnell or JLP say. Nothing there is true.

As far as DePaul being good, someone has to lose. If you want 6-7 bids, that means 6-7 teams need to win 9-15 games in league, and 3-4 teams need to lose 11+ games. DePaul can be one of those every year. Will only help the rest of the league, as well as our recruiting in Chicago.

I do agree, but given that Chicago is our second largest media market, I think it would be good for the league from an exposure standpoint if they started winning. Depaul can bring a lot more eyeballs than Creighton can. But that will only happen if they win.

[brewcity77]

I think that is coincidence more than anything.  Marquette and DePaul can both be good at the same time.  It's not as though Marquette is highly dependent on Chicago for recruits.  Since McNeal, I believe the only recruit Marquette has pulled out of Chicago has been Steve Taylor.

It probably is. I'm more pointing out that there's no evidence a good DePaul is good for us. I think the two are more likely mutually exclusive. We can be good with or without a successful DePaul.

But comparing the two side by side is really interesting. Honestly a bit baffling how we've almost never been good at the same time over the past 30+ years.

[Pakuni]

It probably is. I'm more pointing out that there's no evidence a good DePaul is good for us. I think the two are more likely mutually exclusive. We can be good with or without a successful DePaul.

But comparing the two side by side is really interesting. Honestly a bit baffling how we've almost never been good at the same time over the past 30+ years.

A good DePaul is probably neither directly good or bad for Marquette. As has been pointed, the two schools rarely recruit the same players, and there's no evidence having a competitive program nearby is detrimental elsewhere (i.e. Duke-UNC, Maryland-Georgetown, Kentucky-Louisville).

But I do think a good DePaul is good for the Big East. As has been mentioned, it's the conference's second-largest market and DePaul is the largest Catholic school in the U.S., with tons of alumni across the country. MU, and the entire Big East, would benefit from them at least not sucking.

[NYWarrior]

It probably is. I'm more pointing out that there's no evidence a good DePaul is good for us. I think the two are more likely mutually exclusive. We can be good with or without a successful DePaul.

But comparing the two side by side is really interesting. Honestly a bit baffling how we've almost never been good at the same time over the past 30+ years.

There is no causality between DePaul's success and MU's struggles, or vice versa. Other than a very good run from 1978 - 1992, DePaul has generally been mediocre to lousy on the hardwood (a few outliers aside) -- the Blue Demons' historic struggles are largely self-inflicted, owed to a consistent lack of institutional commitment.

[dgies9156]

If Purnell voluntarily resigns, he does not get the rest of his contract.  If he is fired, he continues to get paid.

He says he resigned.  He is saying he will forego his contract.  Therefore, I believe him.

WRONG

It's probably a negotiated settlement.

[Tugg Speedman]

WRONG

It's probably a negotiated settlement.

This reads like it was Purnell's idea to leave (and yes, you can also read it as he was pushed into take a buy-out)

Oliver Purnell said last week he had "every intention" of returning as DePaul men's basketball coach next season.

But Saturday, Purnell resigned after posting a 54-105 overall record and going 15-65 in the Big East in five seasons.

"It is my best interest and my family's best interest to resign as head coach of the DePaul basketball program," Purnell said in a statement. "We made progress here and improved with the talent and character of our student-athletes.

"DePaul provided complete support and is fully committed to its basketball program with its budget, the on-campus facilities and in the future with the new events center."

[brewcity77]

Of course it does. Because they negotiated a buyout. What would he say, "they told me they would either fire me or let me leave worth dignity and I chose the latter?"

No way I believe for one second this was his idea.

[Tugg Speedman]

So if Purnell was bought out, he's free to take another job right now.  So, does Loyola, UIC, Chicago State, NIU, Etc. hire him in the next few weeks and use his Depaul bought recruiting inroads to improve their programs?

How about Collins hiring him as an assistant at Northwestern to help him get more quality Chicago kids?

[brewcity77]

Wouldn't surprise me if part of the buyout included him not going to a nearby school or taking recruits. I'm sure the option to work again right away while pocketing a healthy chunk of change (that won't go away if he's on someone else's payroll) was what led him to agree to leave.

[forgetful]

Bobby Hurley has been mentioned a lot today for DePaul. He just earned the MAC's NCAA bid with Buffalo. Germantown standout Lamonte Bearden helping his cause. I think he'd be a better fit at Seton Hall, but DePaul could target Hurley once Buffalo is done dancing.

This is the name that immediately comes to mind.  Possibly even get a two-fer with brother Danny.

[GGGG]

This is the name that immediately comes to mind.  Possibly even get a two-fer with brother Danny.

Bobby used to be an assistant on Danny's staff.  Danny is the more experienced coach, but is in a more difficult conference right now.

Danny won't be an assistant for Bobby.  Danny might actually be the better option.

[warriorchick]

It probably is. I'm more pointing out that there's no evidence a good DePaul is good for us.

How about being able to sell out our arena when we play DePaul at home, because their fans would travel up to Milwaukee to see the game?

[Tums Festival]

If there's any school that needs to be very good year in and year out to bring more exposure to the conference it's Georgetown, not DePaul.

As Judge Smails said so eloquently, "The world needs ditch diggers too."

[brewcity77]

How about being able to sell out our arena when we play DePaul at home, because their fans would travel up to Milwaukee to see the game?

That's the last thing I would ever care about. I'd rather have a top program that draws attendance on its own merits. If we need DePaul fans to drive up from Chicago to fill the seats, we have far bigger issues.

[warriorchick]

That's the last thing I would ever care about. I'd rather have a top program that draws attendance on its own merits. If we need DePaul fans to drive up from Chicago to fill the seats, we have far bigger issues.

We don't sell out now except for one or two games per year.  So are you saying that if we don't sell out every single game on our own, we suck?

[brewcity77]

We don't sell out now except for one or two games per year.  So are you saying that if we don't sell out every single game on our own, we suck?

No. I'm saying that relying on a good DePaul program to sell tickets would be preposterous. Not remotely worth mentioning or considering.

[warriorchick]

No. I'm saying that relying on a good DePaul program to sell tickets would be preposterous. Not remotely worth mentioning or considering.

You said that a good DePaul team would not benefit Marquette.  I just provided one way it would.  I never said it was a life-changing benefit.

[RushmoreAcademy]

Calipari to DePaul

[nyg]

And Anthony Grant, who was thought by many (including myself) years ago following Crean departure, to be a great candidate for MU job, canned by Alabama. 

[LAZER]

And Anthony Grant, who was thought by many (including myself) years ago following Crean departure, to be a great candidate for MU job, canned by Alabama. 

Buzz to Alabama

[🏀]

Calipari to DePaul

Crean to Kentucky
Buzz to IU

[Earl Tatum]

Many years ago when Buzz got hired, I wanted (Archie?) Miller of Dayton.

[🏀]

Many years ago when Buzz got hired, I wanted (Archie?) Miller of Dayton.

Good thing you were wrong.