DePaul Blue Demons center Nick Ongenda wants revenge heading into the 2021-22 season
CHICAGO — DePaul University has their eyes set on winning, starting the 2021-22 season strong after a humiliating loss to UConn to end the 2020-21 campaign, a 94-60 blowout at Madison Square Garden. Although DePaul found a way to advance to the second round of the Big East Tournament, losing to UConn has found both players and coaches more motivated than ever to get this program out of a losing mindset and begin to build DePaul back into a Big East powerhouse. No player more than junior center Nick Ongenda.
“UConn,” Ongenda said. “They came to the Big East and really killed it. I really want revenge on them.”
DePaul’s last winning season was back in 2018-19 when Max Struss, Paul Reid and Eli Cain lead the Blue Demons to a 19-17 record. Even more motivation for this young team, new players and coaches alike, DePaul hasn’t had a winning record against the Big East since the team was led by Wilson Chandler back in 2006-07.
DePaul begins 2021-22 season without 11 players from last year as well as a new head coach Tony Stubblefield, who comes with decades of experience and might be considered one of the best recruiters in the country. He showcased his recruiting abilities by hiring two proven assistant coaches Pari Purham and Steve Thomas and also with the hiring of a new director of basketball operations in Patrick Scully. Add in a revamped strength and conditioning team, and the Blue Demons are poised to turn things around quickly.
Ongenda spoke about his optimism and mindset heading into an exciting, and possibly the most challenging season ahead of everyone on the team.
“We have a lot of new guys,” Ongenda said. “Pretty much everyone is new, especially the coaches, who play a huge role in development. I feel like the culture is much more serious. Everyone’s down to work.”
Changing the narratives of the program by adding competitive, hard-working players with a completely different mindset has changed the trajectory and amped up expectations for the Blue Demons. Ongenda seems eager and is prepared, no matter what obstacles appear in his way.
“We’ve been instilled with losing,” Ongenda said. “My goals are to get our team to win. I’m tired of this losing stuff. Obviously, I’m trying to do the best I can and throw my body out there and get this win for all of us.”
DePaul begins the season on Nov. 4, an exhibition at Wintrust Arena against Montevallo. They kick off the season with nine straight home games, with a key matchup against Loyola University Chicago late in that home game stretch. Their schedule presents an opportunity for the Blue Demons to put together a few early nonconference season wins.
With a new-look roster this season, it’s the beginning of a new era for DePaul basketball, preaching unselfishness in their style of play, the team looks to adopt a faster pace, and most importantly, emphasize a smarter and more efficient shot selection. Finding out who they are isn’t their main focus, revenge against UConn is what’s motivating this team, along with dreaming big, hoping to turn around a losing basketball team.
Big expectations and a clear message being sent to UConn, DePaul is primed for a breakout season, looking to become Chicago’s next college basketball recruiting destination. Seeking revenge is just the beginning, a win against Loyola University could be the next step, ending the season with a winning record and beginning a new era as another up-and-coming school in the Windy City.
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.