Mid Major? SIU knocks off ACC team

SIU outlasted the Va. Tech Hokies 69-64 Sunday to take 2 0f 3 in the Old Spice Classsic. With 2 wins and a narrow loss to Arkansas it might seem that the Sunshine State Swing was profitable to Southern. To those of us, however, who spent Sunday afternoon sweating in front our TV's and alarming our kinfolk by firing baseball caps off the paneling while yelling, "What are they DOING?" it was a puzzling contest indeed. SIU spent most of the game alternately making hard-nosed baskets on one possession, then throwing the ball wherever on the next. They went sleeping-walking along for minutes at a time, then played brilliantly and ran off points in bunches. Meanwhile a wary Va. Tech unit was starting to exercise their considerable "athleticism"....driven onward by their phenomenally intense, (read: apoplectic) coach Seth Greenberg. Big Leaguers Deron Washington and Zabian Dowdell combined for 34 points and their jaguar-quick sidekick Cheick Diakite (almost literally from Timbuktoo), kept slamming the ball to the alarm of the occasionally dozing Dawgs.

The real game began at 60-all with 3:55 to play. Two dunks by Diakite matched Tatum's two FTs and a layup by Mullins for a tie at 64. The Mercurial Tatum nailed a beautiful three, but followed with two clanked free throws to give VT an opportunity. The Hokies chance went awry, though, when they threw deep, caught it and lost it out of bounds. Matt Shaw's two free throws settled the issue at 69-64. Blood pressures in the Land Between the Rivers gradually began to ebb toward normal ranges as ESPN-U went to College Hockey. Chris Lowrey grinned. Shaw's 17 and Tatum's 16 led the Dawgs and Falker and Mullins had stellar outings as well. SIU can and will get better. Hang on for the ride.