Big Ten Beat Down

Defensive consistency has been a trademark for SIU over the last five years. From Bruce Webber’s sharp shooting guards, Matt Painter’s heart stopping second half comebacks, and now Chris Lowery’s take no prisoners defense. The smothering man to man defense handed down the line from Gene Keady to Webber to Painter to Lowery is anything but watered down.

Minnesota had a tough time making an entry pass and at times struggled to get the ball up the floor. As many times as I see SIU play these types of games it never gets old. Every team has cold stretches shooting the basketball, but with the slow down grind it out style Southern plays they are never out of the game. Its early in the year but I think we have already seen SIU’s recipe for success- limit possessions, work the shot clock, score over 55 points, and win the game. If southern sticks to the recipe Chef Lowery should have all the ingredients to cook up another 20 win season.

Matt Shaw is the SalukiHoops player of the game with a career high 26 points off an impressive 11 of 12 from the stripe including 3 three pointers. There are still a few things for this club to work on but not much to complain about today. Brian Mullins HAS to shoot the ball when he is open. Coach Lowery was all over him when he passed up an open three pointer for a shot clock violation. He’s a smart kid with a good shot so I’m sure that he will improve in that aspect. Tony Young was quiet again today but hopefully he will break out with a big game on Sunday.

SIU will play for fifth place on Sunday at noon on ESPNU.