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The Big East play in game is set and now only anticipation is
held as the DePaul Blue Demons warm up to battle against nationally ranked
Elmhurst for their right to play in the Big East. Speculation as to whether the
Blue Demons can defeat the up and coming Blue Jays and retain their position in
the Big East or if they will falter and Elmhurst taking it\'s place instead. Many
dreams will be met here as players will be faced with two separate ideas. If
Elmhurst wins how will they perform under the hefty Blue Demon schedule in a
more than mediocre conference. But on the opposite side how the the Blue Demons
do with a schedule that is laughable compared to their opponents in the Big
East.

Two minds running through players heads of the opposing team, If
the Blue Demons lose their players hoping to play Division 1A basketball will be
snubbed and forced to play Division 3A ball because of a lackluster performance
that has plagued them. But they could have the opportunity to become 3A champs
with skill that is mediocre in Division 1A but could be stand out in Division
3A.

The wait is on but this preview wouldn\'t be complete without our
views on the game. Through a few processes from last years stats this game
should turn out to be one that will be great to watch. The Blue Demons are lead
by guard Sammy Mejia who is a player that likes to take a shot from close to mid
range but will pull the trigger from beyond the arc if he is open. Or he can
always dish it out to big man Wilson Chandler who at his forward position will
slam the ball down, take a close range shot or if he is completely wide open
take the 3. These two are the stars of the Blue Devils and will have to be
stopped if the Elmhurst College Blue Jay\'s have any hopes of succeeding in this
game. It will become a lot easier if they are stopped but it will be extremely
difficult to pull out the W in this game if they put up 20+ points and Mejia
gets 10+ assists.

The Blue Jays have star guard Brian Lee playing guard. He
is a player that is extremely crucial to the success of a team. He is a player
who can take a jump shot from any where on the court and nail 9 out of 10, not
only that but he can take a step back, read a defense and deliver great passes
to set up teammates for easy buckets. At the other guard Mike Sayre is a
guard who isn\'t known to dish the ball or force shots, he takes shot and will
consistently nail most of them. He is a consistent player that will need to be
double covered to truly be stopped. Coming off the bench at the guard position
for Sayre is Ryan Burks. He is a sophomore that will drill the ball from
anywhere you tell him but couldn\'t cover a guy if his life depended on it. His
potential is amazing, his offensive skills warrant a starting position, but
without good defensive skills this guy will continue to come off the bench. Then
as a big man coming of the bench Jared Hintzsche will be a consistent scorer
down low that can put his hand up and block the ball. His lack of hustle and
determination gives him a spot on the bench. He is a player that is difficult to
motivate but once he is, he is near unstoppable.

The prediction to this game is that it will come to the wire but
with Elmhurst\'s depth at the bench they will pull away when the DePaul starters
are resting on the bench.

Depaul 52-Elmhurst
College 61