Monday, November 27, 2006

Bracket Buster Part II

The good folks at ESPN have really helped Mid-Major teams with this Bracket Buster deal. For those of you who forgot, we played Louisiana Tech in the Bracket Buster here at Carbondale last season. Per Bracket Buster rules we will head out to La Tech for a rematch this season. This is a cool format because it helps mid major teams round out their pre-conference schedules.

Only this year Louisiana Tech is not quite as good as last year and I doubt they will be anything close to an RPI top 100 team. La Tech limps into this matchup with a 1-3 record- their only win was a 59-50 outlasting of McNeese St. However, this game is on the road and there is no such thing as an easy win on the road in DI basketball. The Salukis won't look past La Tech so here at salukihoops- we won't either.

La Tech will feature a pair of 6-7 Senior Forwards Disy Harry (that’s his real name) and Chad McKinzie. Both players are JUCO transfers and they are the tallest players on the team. I don’t expect them to be a threat to the increasingly dynamic Shaw/Falker combo.

Calling Jamaal Foster- If you want to step up in a game this season, this is your chance. Foster seems to have fallen out of favor with Coach Lowery, but he is 6-10 and the tallest player on La Tech is 6-7, so if he can't put in some quality minutes here, it would be hard to see him playing a significant role this season.

On a brighter note, I never get tired of watching Tony Boyle nail 15 footers. His improvement from last season still impresses me. Lowery really found a diamond in the rough with this kid. A big man with a jump shot, gotta love it. Boyle’s solid play at the PF will allow Shaw to play more minutes at SF giving us more size, rebounding, and an extra 3 point threat.

Check back after the game for a wrap-up of the action, and we’ll be back later this week with a preview of the SIU-SLU rivalry game.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

La Tech is going to get smoked

Anonymous said...

Shaw and Falker could be the best inside/outside low post threat in the MVC

Unknown said...

No game is a foregone conclusion. We've always battled consistency and will continue to do so. There is not doubt that the Dawgs are one of the most talented starting 5's in the Valley, maybe in all of DI ... maybe. BUT, I just don't have a lot of confidence in our bench this year. With the exception of Boyle, which you mentioned, I've been thoroughly underwhelmed with the play of Clemmons, Green, Armstrong, and especially Foster. Our bench has to start stepping up.

By the way, nice blog.

Anonymous said...

I guess since the games not on TV i will be listen on the radio. 95.1 on your FM dial