PLAYING POSSESSED

AT THEIR height, the DePaul Blue Demons were one of the most influential and visible programs in the country. At their worst, losing had become a formality, coaches came and went, Chicago’s top talent never looked their way, and things seemed stuck in a state of can’t-get-right.

But it appears as if the dark days might be getting smaller in the program’s rearview. Last year’s campaign was DePaul’s first winning season in 12 years and ended an 11-year postseason drought, as they made it to the finals of the College Basketball Invitational. That momentum has carried over into this year, and there is real optimism that the Blue Demons can secure their first Tournament berth in 15 years.

Through point guard and Chicago’s own Charlie