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Leathernecks Head to Chicago

| By: WIU Athletic Communications

Western men’s basketball plays DePaul on Saturday (Nov. 20).

Who | Western Illinois (3-0) at DePaul (3-0)
When | Saturday (Nov. 20), 7 p.m.
Where | Wintrust Arena – Chicago, Ill.
Social media | Instagram + Twitter + Facebook + #TRADITIONofTOUGH

Matchup history: The Leathernecks and Blue Demons have played twice in program history, with each team winning one game. Western won the first ever matchup back on Dec. 9, 1989, and DePaul won the matchup when both sides played on Dec. 23 of last season. Will Carius and Tamell Pearson led the Leathernecks with 15 points and seven rebounds each in that game, but the Blue Demons used a strong first half to come out victorious.

Players to watch: Originally from Chicago, Tamell Pearson had his best game of the season in Western's last matchup against Iowa Wesleyan, finishing with 15 points and 11 rebounds on 7-9 shooting in the team's 97-71 victory. At 6-10, Pearson's size will be an important factor as the Blue Demons have three players averaging over eight rebounds a game and are averaging a +15.3 rebounding margin.
 
Now in his second year with Western Illinois, Cameron Burrell has had a strong start to the 2021-22 campaign. The Chicago, Ill., native is averaging 18 minutes per game and leading the team in several statistical categories. He's the team leader in rebounding (8.3 per game), tied with Adam Anhold as the team leader in blocks (0.7 per game), and is tied with several other Leathernecks for second on the team in steals at 0.7 per game. 

Scouting the opponent: The Blue Demons are currently 3-0 and coming off a 73-70 home victory against Rutgers on Thursday (Nov. 18). Javon Freeman-Liberty is the team leader in scoring at 22 points per game, grabbing 8.7 rebounds and dishing out 5.7 assists. Similar to the Leathernecks, DePaul's early season games have been characterized by effort on the glass, as they have out-rebounded opponents by an average of 15.3 per game this season.

What's next: After Saturday's game at DePaul, the team will stay on the road for their next matchup against Northern Kentucky. Tip-off at BB&T Arena is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday (Nov. 22). 
 
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