SIU destroyed the first DI school they played this season with 62-46 win over Murray St. Southern played smothering defense throughout the game. Chris Lowery was vocal in the first half barking defensive orders to his players and they responded by holding Murray to 14 points in the first 14 minutes of the game. Murray never threatened Southern in this game.
He’s Back!
SIU Arena witnessed the return of Jamaal Tatum on Sunday and he did not disappoint. Tatum busted Murray State for 20 points including 4 of 5 from three point range in just 29 minutes. Obviously there was no rust for JT after missing the first three games. Jamaal is one of the most exciting players I have ever seen at SIU. Everyone did a good job in his absence but there is no substitute for a guy with his speed and shooting ability.
On to bigger things-
Next time we see SIU we’ll be eating turkey and watching them play their first of (at least) 5 nationally televised games this year. ESPN 2 will cover SIU v Arkansas at 11am on Turkey Day. This is a huge week for the program. Winning on national television really brings in the recruits and if we win this Tournament we’ll undoubtedly crack the top 25. More importantly, winning this tournament could lead many to believe that we are the best team in the STATE.
Hog Wild-
Before we can win the tourney we have to beat Arkansas. Not an easy task. Give thanks that super stud Ronnie Brewer left the razorbacks for the NBA, and Arkansas will probably not start any seniors in this game. However SEC teams don’t rebuild they reload. Head Coach Stan Heath will start four juniors and one freshman. It’s good that we are playing this team early in the season because this group hasn’t played together much giving us a great chance to beat them on a neutral court.
Arkansas will have a height advantage with 7 foot center Steven Hill and 6-10 forward Vincent Hunter. The scouting report on these guys is that their talent level does not quite meet there size so hopefully Shaw, Falker, and Co can keep them in check the same way they kept bigger players in check most of last season.
Official Salukihoops prediction- SIU over Arkansas 59-57.
Check back after the game on Turkey Day for a full recap and a preview of our Black Friday match up against Marist or Minnesota.
2 comments:
VIEW FROM ROW TWO: SIU opened against Murray with tournament level intensity in the opening 10 minutes. Bryan Mullins was quick and relentless. Excellent conditioning. Boyle is vastly improved. No matter what combo was on the court the Dawgs were standing on the shoestrings of the men they were guarding almost instantaneously upon the arrival of the ball.
Thanks for the comment. No doubt the intesity was through the roof. It's fun to watch that brand of basketball.
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