Wallace and Blue Demons Hope to Measure Up Against Vanderbilt
Release: 12/03/2009
CHICAGO - For most of his life, Eric Wallace has played bigger than his size.
His 6-feet, 6-inches will have to be at full extension on Saturday when he leads a short-handed DePaul front court against a tall and experienced Vanderbilt team in Nashville.
With 6-10 Mac Koshwal out three to four weeks with a foot injury, the Blue Demons (5-1) could be vulnerable to the Commodores' inside strength best exemplified by 6-11 center A.J. Ogilvy.
There's more for Vanderbilt (5-1), which was ranked No. 24 in the nation until losing to Cincinnati at the Maui Invitational. The Commodores also boast 6-7Jeffery Taylor and 6-7 Andre Walker, who starred at Homewood-Flossmoor in high school.
"They are very aggressive and have incredible experience with their size," said DePaul coach Jerry Wainwright. "I scouted A.J. when he played for the under-19 Australian team and I coached the USA team. "He is a physical force who will play in the NBA."
In Koshwal's absence, Wallace is the Blue Demons' leading rebounder and top scoring threat inside.
"I started lifting weights at an early age and have always had strength," said Wallace, who transferred from Ohio State and sat out last season. "My body was already matured as a freshman entering Ohio State.
"Even though I'm only 6-6, I can hold my own for a while with guys who are 6-9 or 6-10-at least for parts of a game.
"We have a lot of depth, and guys like (6-9) Devin Hill and (6-11) Krys Faber are stepping up in Mac's absence. Our team has the energy and quickness to overcome Mac being gone. Coach Wainwright puts us in positions so we can help each other out."
Wallace got a big assist from Buckeyes' coach Thad Matta in redirecting his college basketball career.
"There are a lot of guys at Ohio State who play my position---Evan Turner, David Lighty, Jon Diebler, William Buford," Wallace said. "I didn't see a lot of opportunity to stay on the court.
"Coach Wainwright and Coach Matta talked about what would be in my best interest and having DePaul become my new home. There was interest from UCLA and USC, but nothing worked out.
"I visited DePaul in April of 2008, and I appreciated coach Wainwright's honesty about everything. I liked that coach gives people an opportunity to play based on how hard they work at practice.
"Looking back now, I'm glad I came to DePaul."
Wainwright was equally impressed with Wallace's athleticism and his character.
"By the time he's done here, he will be one of my favorite kids," Wainwright said. "During the whole time we talked, Eric never said a bad word about Ohio State.
0]YouTube - Eric Wallace jumps over defender from U. of Chicago for three-point play.[/ame]