Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty

[Maize08]

Just as march madness approaches, I recently picked up a new college basketball game and I've really enjoyed it. Draft Day Sports: College Basketball 2021 was just released by Wolverine Studios and it's helped cure my need for a new dynasty.

I've done a lot of dynasty reports before, but I've struggled to replace playing the NCAA football franchise. This game will give me a chance to create a dynasty report that allows me to focus on what I enjoy most: creating a realistic simulation, building storylines and writing articles along the way.

I'll be taking over the DePaul Blue Demons. DePaul has a storied history, dating back to legendary Head Coach Ray Meyer. They had a strong run in the late 70’s and throughout the 80’s. Ray left the program in the hands of his son, Joey; who would be the last coach of the Demons to finish his tenure with a winning record. Joey Meyer left the program after the 1996-97 season...

Since then, they’ve been a program that is often found on lists of “sleeping giant” basketball programs. This dynasty will be focused on waking that sleeping giant. A new arena, a new Athletic Director, a fanbase hungry to win, and with Chicago as a backdrop - this is the story of DePaul basketball.


The Rundown
Game: Draft Day Sports: College Basketball 21
Roster: Using NCAA Mod, changed roster to match DePaul’s likely 2021-22 roster.
Recruiting Difficulty: Hard
Update Notes: Stats, conference standings and Top 25 will be posted monthly. Every game recaps will be posted; some will be just the score and game overview while some will include the entire box score.

[Maize08]

Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty

History and Records

Retired Numbers
24 | 99
Aguirre | Mikan

Program Records
Overall Record: 1,495-1,066 (58.3% Win%)
Most Wins in a Season: 28 (1987)
Conference Regular Season Champions: 2 (1992, 2004)
Conference Tournament Champions: 0

Postseason Records
National Championships: 0
Final Four Appearances: 2 (1943, '79)
Elite Eight Appearances: 3 (1943, '78, '79)
NCAA Tournament Appearances: 22
Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2004
NIT Tournament Champions: 1 (1945)
NIT Tournament Appearances: 16
Last NIT Tournament Appearance: 2007

Big East Records (Member Since 2005)
Conference Record: 63-239 (20.8% Win%)
Tournament Record: 5-14
Best Regular Season Finish: 7th (2014-15)
Best Tournament Finish: Quarterfinals (4 times)

Player Records
Scoring
Career: Mark Aguirre (1978-81) - 2,182 points
Season: Mark Aguirre (1978-79) - 767 points
Game: George Mikan (1944-45) - 53 points
Rebounds
Career: Dave Corzine (1974-78) - 1,151 rebounds
Season: Ken Warzynski (1969-70) - 379 rebounds
Game: Ken Warzynski (1969-70) - 28 rebounds
Assists
Career: Kenny Patterson (1981-85) - 669 assists
Season: Clyde Bradshaw (1979-80) - 215 assists
Game: Imari Sawyer (2001-02) - 17 assists
Steals
Career: Kenny Patterson (1981-85) - 280 steals
Season: Gary Garland (1978-79) - 124 steals
Game: Gary Garland (1978-79) - 10 steals
Blocks
Career: Dallas Comegys (1983-87) - 297 blocks
Season: Dallas Comegys (1986-87) - 108 blocks
Game: Dallas Comegys (1986-87) - 10 blocks

[Maize08]

Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty

Season Reviews

2020-21
Overall Record: 8-21
Conference (Standing): 3-17 (11th/Last)
Home/Road Split: 8-9 at Home | 0-12 on the Road
Team Leaders:

Spoiler

Team MVP: SR. Charlie Moore, PG
Points: Charlie Moore - 14.0 PPG
Rebounds: Pauly Paulicap - 6.0 RPG
Assists: Charlie Moore - 4.0 APG

Big East Season Champion: Marquette and Villanova (16-4)
Big East Tournament Champion: #2 Villanova over #1 Marquette, 77-57
Big East Tournament Bids: 4 Teams
#3 Villanova (28-6), #10 Seton Hall (20-12), #11 Marquette (22-10), #12 Creighton (18-13)
National Player of the Year: Jalen Suggs, PG, Gonzaga
Final Four: Gonzaga, Michigan, Alabama, Virginia
National Champion Gonzaga (33-2)

2021-22
Overall Record: 12-19
Conference (Standing): 6-14 (t9th/Last)
Home/Road Split: 9-9 at Home | 3-10 on the Road
Team Leaders:

Spoiler

Team MVP: SR. Javon Freeman-Liberty, SG
Points: Javon Freeman-Liberty - 14.0 PPG
Rebounds: Nick Ongenda - 6.0 RPG
Assists: Javon Freeman-Liberty - 4.6 APG

Big East Season Champion: Butler (15-5)
Big East Tournament Champion: #5 St. John’s over Villanova, 94-75
Big East Tournament Bids: 5 Teams
#6 Georgetown (22-10), #6 Villanova (22-12), #9 Butler (22-9),
#9 St. John’s (20-12), #11 UConn (20-11)
National Player of the Year: SG Ochai Agbaji, Kansas
Final Four: Kansas, Michigan, Maryland, Ohio State
National Champion: Kansas (34-4)

[Maize08]

Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty

Feel free to post. I'll have stats and history updated soon. Then, I'll have a story to wrap up the 2020-21 season and then the start of the offseason. This dynasty will be starting just following the 2021 NCAA tournament.

I've included some real life players. I've put in 25 Big East players, 50 national players and the entire DePaul roster. That includes top freshman of the '21 class and the top (likely) returning players. If you want a player included in the game, let me know and I will happily put them in.

I'm also working on the coaching carousel, trying to make it realistic to what is likely to happen this year in real life. I'm using the games 'Sandbox Mode,' which gives you a lot of control.

[BookWork123]

Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty

Will definitely be following along! I’ve always enjoyed the DDS franchise, though I’ve never gotten super deep into a career. Excited for is to come!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[johnstone1987]

Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty

Sorry for asking but is this a Video Game? Or a Simulator on the PC?

[Maize08]

Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty

Will definitely be following along! I’ve always enjoyed the DDS franchise, though I’ve never gotten super deep into a career. Excited for is to come!

Same here. I've enjoyed the game so far, but I haven't gotten really deep into a dynasty. Thanks for following!

Sorry for asking but is this a Video Game? Or a Simulator on the PC?

It's on the PC. Very similar to OOTP or Football Manager.

[Maize08]

Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty

2021 Big East Tournament

[Maize08]

Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty

Big East 2020-21 Final Standings

[Maize08]

Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty

DePaul's Season Ends, Program Eyes Uncertain Future
The DePaul Blue Demons just finished a grueling season: one that saw game postponements, a late start to the season, multiple player injuries that ultimately culminated in another losing season.

DePaul finished 8-21, winning just three games in the Big East and ending the season on a 8 game losing streak. It's the second straight season that they started with high hopes that were only dashed once conference play started.

Last year, before COVID shortened their postseason, DePaul had started 9-1 before finishing 16-16 with just three conference wins. This year, a sluggish start out of the gates saw the Demons come alive in late November, winning 4 of 5 games to close the month.

Head Coach Dave Leitao was disappointed in how this season finished, but was proud of his players for what they endured. Finishing his sixth season, in his second stint at the helm - this is DePaul's fourth losing season since Leitao returned.

After a postseason appearance and runner-up finish in the 2019 CBI Tournament, fans were excited about a young team heading into the 2019-20 season. Those hopes were met with an exciting start, that also led DePaul to lock Leitao into a multiyear extension.

Since then, DePaul has moved on from their former Athletic Director and new AD DeWayne Peevy has been mum on the status of his Head Coach. It's expected that Leitao might have coached his last game; when his Demons took a four-point lead to the locker room, only to lose by 7 to Butler in the first round of the Big East Tournament.

DePaul will see 5 players leave to graduation, and roster retention remains a concern. Multiple players over the last few years have transferred out of the program. Peevy has said that stability is key going forward - a trait that seems to be lacking in the Leitao era.

The Blue Demons will be saying goodbye to starters Charlie Moore, Pauly Paulicap and Monmouth transfer Ray Salnave. They'll also be losing two reserve guards, Jason Malonga and Pantelis Xidias.

Even with the complications of a COVID season, this was clearly not the result many expected from DePaul. After last year's collapse, it was clear that Leitao needed a bounce back season. His Demons did not deliver, instead turning in another losing season.

This season marks 17 seasons since the Demons last appeared in the NCAA tournament. Peevy has said that the men's basketball program is the 'key' driver of the University's athletics. His high expectations have clearly not been met, leaving many to question what comes next for the Blue Demons.

[Maize08]

Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty

End of 2020-21 Season
Overall Record: 8-21
Conference (Standing): 3-17 (11th/Last)
Home/Road Split: 8-9 at Home | 0-12 on the Road
Team Leaders:

Spoiler

Team MVP: SR. Charlie Moore, PG
Points: Charlie Moore - 14.0 PPG
Rebounds: Pauly Paulicap - 6.0 RPG
Assists: Charlie Moore - 4.0 APG

Big East Season Champion: Marquette and Villanova (16-4)
Big East Tournament Champion: #2 Villanova over #1 Marquette, 77-57
Big East Tournament Bids: 4 Teams
#3 Villanova (28-6), #10 Seton Hall (20-12), #11 Marquette (22-10), #12 Creighton (18-13)
National Player of the Year: Jalen Suggs, PG, Gonzaga
Final Four: Gonzaga, Michigan, Alabama, Virginia
National Champion Gonzaga

[BookWork123]

Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty

Not a great year one, but hopefully with some decent recruits you can improve on that winless road record!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Maize08]

Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty

DePaul Parts Ways with Coach Dave Leitao
DePaul Athletics and men's basketball coach Dave Leitao have agreed to part ways. This news comes following the end of their season, the fifth straight season that DePaul has finished last in the Big East Conference.

Leitao, who coached the Blue Demons for six years in his second stint as Head Coach; finished with a record of 66-112 overall and 21-84 in the Big East. The only postseason appearance was a runner-up finish in the 2019 CBI Tournament.

New Athletic Director DeWayne Peevy could not be reached for comment, but in the press release that announced the decision, it was stated that Peevy will lead a national search for the team's next Head Coach.

Peevy will be using a national executive search firm to aid in the coaching search. It's expected that Peevy will use his years of connections made at Kentucky in an effort to bring a top coach to DePaul.

Currently, DePaul is the only Big East program without a Head Coach. It's been a difficult transition for the Demons to the Big East; the new coach will be expected to make the program more competitive and no longer a cellar dweller.

[Maize08]

Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty

Early Update on DePaul's Coaching Search
When new DePaul Athletic Director DeWayne Peevy arrived to Lincoln Park in August, he told everyone involved to "dream big dreams." He did not want the Athletic Department to be thinking small, but instead to take bigger swings and get creative to make each sports program better.

He has not been shy about stating the importance of the men's basketball program to the Athletic Department and the University. Peevy knows the history well; a storied program under Ray Meyer who has not found the right leader to get them back to a consistent, winning level.

Part of dreaming big also involved an increase in investment into key programs. Peevy led a $1 million dollar fundraising blitz last year, and has said that DePaul won't miss out on investing in 'talent.' Right now, that means an investment in the basketball program.

One day after Dave Leitao parted ways from DePaul, the Athletic Department has already started their search for his replacement. Since fans have been told to 'dream big dreams,' there have been rumors that link many coaches to the opening with the Demons.

It's unknown the exact criteria, but it seems that nothing will limit DePaul from bringing in the best coach for the job. Here are some of the names (alphabetically) that are often rumored in connection with DePaul:

- John Beilein, former Michigan Head Coach. Not coaching in 2020, working as an analyst for the Big Ten Network. He is well respected, after building a top program at Michigan that included two Final Four appearances. At 68 years old, it's unknown if he plans on returning to coaching. That hasn't stopped his name from being connected to many of the top openings in college basketball this cycle.

- Dennis Gates, Cleveland State Head Coach. After leading the Vikings to the NCAA tournament, Gates has become a hot name attached to many open jobs this year. A Chicagoan, he attended Whitney Young High School at the same time as DePaul and NBA player Quentin Richardson. He was an ace recruiter for numerous Power 5 schools, including Florida State. A rising name in coaching circles, he could be a strong, young hire for DePaul.

- Bobby Hurley, Arizona State Head Coach. Hurley was originally tied to DePaul back when Leitao was brought back six years ago. He has proven to be a strong recruiter and has led two different programs to the NCAA Tournament (Arizona State and Buffalo). He did, however, recently lose his lead assistant (and DePaul alum) Rashon Burno to Northern Illinois. Burno took the Head job in DeKalb, leaving questions about Hurley’s connection to the Chicagoland area. It’s been reported that he could leave Arizona State, but it’s not know if he would join the Big East to potentially coach against his brother Dan at UConn.

- That Matta, former Ohio State Head Coach. Matta's name has been tied to many openings in the Big Ten and programs in the Midwest in the last two years. His 439 wins in 17 seasons includes strong stops at Butler, Xavier and Ohio State. It's unknown if he has interest in returning to coaching at this time.

- Archie Miller, recently fired from Indiana as Head Coach. While Miller struggled during his time with the Hoosiers; he was a top coach at the mid-major level when he led Dayton to the Elite Eight. Miller is still young and has proven to be a strong recruiter. Although four years at Indiana yielded no tournament appearances, he’s still just 42 years old and could be looking for a spot to prove he can still build a winning program.

- Porter Moser, Loyola Chicago Head Coach. Moser led the Ramblers back to the NCAA tournament this past season. He first caught national attention when he led Loyola to the Final Four in 2018. He has been a Head Coach for 17 seasons and has developed a strong reputation as an X’s and O’s coach. If he’s looking to move on from Loyola, DePaul would be a step up in competition. It would also bring increased expectations, while keeping him in Chicago.

Two other names to consider are top assistants with ties to DeWayne Peevy: Current Knicks Assistant Coach Kenny Payne and Kentucky Assistant Joel Justus. Payne was a strong recruiter for Coach Calipari at UK, while also being considered one of the stronger player development coaches in the country. He’s now in the NBA and it’s not known if he wants to return to college. He has been interviewed previously for Head Coach positions, including at Mississippi State.

Justus has been an assistant at UK for the last five years and he’ll soon be ready to move on to head coaching duties. Under Calipari, he no doubt learned what it takes to recruit and win at the high-major level.

Those are just some of the names that are often tied to the opening at DePaul. This is not a complete list, as it’s expected Peevy is leading a national search and is feeling the pressure as this will be his first Head Coach hired while leading DePaul athletics.

[djp73]

Re: Waking the Sleeping Demon | Maize's DePaul Dynasty

Tough first season but those always make it sweeter down the road. Interested to see what happens with the coaching search!