Drake Diener, Marian University

We preview the exhibition game between the DePaul Blue Demons and the Marian University Sabres on Tuesday night in this report.

Key Information

DePaul Blue Demons vs. Marian University Sabres – Tuesday, October 29th, 2019, 7:30 p.m. Central – Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois

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Game Preview

It’s the return of good ole number 33 – Drake Diener to DePaul. Diener, who starred for the Blue Demons from 2001 to 2005, retired last year from professional basketball after playing in Italy for 12 years. Diener was a member of DePaul’s last NCAA tournament team in 2004 and averaged 12.6 points per game in what was his junior year. As a senior, Drake averaged 14.2 ppg and finished as DePaul’s all-time leading three point scorer.

After retiring from playing, Drake immediately jumped into the coaching ranks by returning to his hometown of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to take over the reigns at Marian University. Diener is now in his second year as head coach at Marian.

The Sabres are a NCAA Division III program that finished 7-18 last season.

Marian returns three of their top four scorers from last season: Logan Hamilton 14 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, Tavaris McCullough (from Morgan Park High School in Chicago) 12.1 ppg, and Tristan Van Ess 10.6 ppg.

“Last year it was Drew (Diener) and this year it’s Drake,” said DePaul head coach Dave Leitao. “Both of those guys mean the world to me. That family is very special. He started his coaching career after a very long playing career. I’m excited to see him first of all to watch him coach because he was a heckuva player from the neck up. He was taught the game really well. He comes from great stock, his Dad, and his family, so I’m anxious to see how his team plays.”

For the Blue Demons, Tuesday is their only exhibition game of the season after participating in a closed scrimmage against Bowling Green on the 19th.

For many DePaul fans, this will be their first opportunity to get a look at newcomer Charlie Moore who is likely to lead the Blue Demons in scoring this season as well as new freshmen Romeo Weems, Markese Jacobs, Oscar Lopez, and Nick Ongenda.

Moore and Weems are likely to be in the starting lineup on Tuesday night along with returning frontcourt players Jaylen Butz and Paul Reed.

Tuesday’s game is the second half of an Exhibition Doubleheader. The DePaul women’s team takes on St. Xavier beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Wintrust Arena.

Marian Roster

No. Name Pos. Cl. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School

2 Will Polczynski F Sr. 6-6 215 New Berlin, Wis. / Eisenhower

3 Julian Lynch G Sr. 6-2 195 Elgin, Ill. / South Elgin

5 Duke Vander Galien G Sr. 5-9 150 Randolph, Wis. / Randolph

11 Tavaris McCullough G Jr. 5-10 165 Chicago, Ill. / Morgan Park

12 Caleb Martin G Jr. 6-4 190 Mayville, Wis. / Mayville

14 Hunter Schultz G Jr. 6-0 160 Stratford, Wis. / Columbus Catholic

20 Dylan Gmeiner G So. 6-7 175 Winneconne, Wis. / Winneconne

22 Matt Shaw G Jr. 6-2 180 Morris, Ill. / Morris

23 Logan Hamilton F Jr. 6-5 215 Sheboygan, Wis. / Sheboygan South

25 Aidan Kirchner F So. 6-5 175 Marengo, Ill. / Marengo

31 Scott Paulus F So. 6-5 200 Belgium, Wis. / Random Lake

32 Tristan Van Ess F Jr. 6-7 205 Oostburg, Wis. / Oostburg

34 Trentin Fouse G Sr. 6-0 175 Racine, Wis. / St. Catherine's

40 Chris Langteau G So. 6-0 185 Chilton, Wis. / Stockbridge

42 Drew Blomberg G So. 6-0 185 Murfreesboro, Tenn. / Lewis-Palmer

43 Dalton Cairns F So. 6-8 230 Krakow, Wis. / Bonduel

50 Myles Cochran F Jr. 6-3 185 Bolingbrook, Ill. / Bolingbrook

Joshua Streater F Jr. 6-5 185 Chicago, Ill. / Bowen

Justin Wilson G Jr. 6-3 180 Plainfield, Ill. / Plainfield North