Who? The Blue Demons of DePaul.
What? They weren't trying to be ironic, originally- Demon was a corruption of D-Men, a natural nickname for a team from DePaul. But they went with it, despite the Catholic thing, and are now represented by the Demon In a Blue Suit, DIBS for short. (Is he the spear counterpart of the devil with a blue dress on?)
Where? Chicago, Illinois, land of the nine-fingered mayor.
When? Saturday the 19th, versus Navy in University Park.
Why? DePaul was long in the mix for a 2 seed, so they're about where they should be. I don't know how thrilled Doug Bruno is about the prospect of UConn, though.
How? They were an at-large selection out of the Big East.
Surprise? DePaul's strength in women's basketball (and soccer, to a lesser extent) is part of why they're in the Big East, so no, this is not a surprise.
Who's driving this thing, anyway? Doug Bruno, since 1988. Look, it was just one chair, okay?
RPI: 11
SOS: 28
Record: 27-6 (13-3 Big East)
Best win: Stanford (H)
Worst loss: Arizona State (A)
Notable results: Florida (W, H, 74-73)
Very quietly, and very much under the national radar, this is a very good team. More people need to be talking about the post combo of Felicia Chester and Keisha Hampton. Lots more people need to be talking about the three-point shooting of Anna Martin. I'm just grateful that the supply of Quigleys appears to have dried up after this year.