Torres Roundtree has decided to re-open his recruitment and is no longer verbally committed to SIU.
Roundtree is headed out to California and will visit USC this week.
This is not great news for the Salukis. However, Roundtree and Lowery still have a good relationship and it is still possible that Roundtree will still sign with SIU in November. It does appear that McCluer North teammate Anthony Booker, who has been playing great this summer, remains commited to SIU at this time.
Saluki fans can rest assured that Chris Lowery is doing everything possible to bring in Roundtree or a talented replacement. Lowery was in Las Vegas this week along with Coach K and Rick Pitino to watch potental '08 recruit Kyle Kuric.
These recruiting wars can actually be seen as a good thing for the Salukis because they are now getting the caliber of players that "high major" programs desire. My gut instinct tells me that Roundtree will take a few campus tours, listen to some other coaches, and ultimately decide to come to SIU.
Either way Lowery has plenty of available talent at his disposal so you can expect to see some big time recruits on their way to Carbondale.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
News and Notes
Troy Hudson is unhappy and he wants out of Minnesota. Hudson averaged 5.9 ppg last season in only 16 minutes a night. He either wants traded or bought out of his contract. So far the Wolves have made an offer of about half of the 19 million left on Hudson's contract. Hudson's agent says the offer is too low and he will make a counter offer this week.
If Hudson is indeed bought out of his contract he will join Jamaal Tatum in the NBA's free agent ranks. The Miami Heat should have some interest in Hudson at the right price.
Randal Falker missed the cut for the Pan Am Games but he wasn't the only talented big man left off the roster; Wisconsin's Brian Butch was left off the team as well. Falker will get another shot to go up against at least one of the players that were chosen when D.J. White and Indiana come to SIU Arena this year.
Congrats to SIU AD Mario Moccia who signed a contract extension that will keep him at SIU through the 2009-10 season. It's good to see SIU reward Chris Lowery, Dana Eikenberg, and Moccia with contracts. With these leaders at the helm, SIU Athletics is in good shape.
Finally, the Salukis will head to Champaign to play the Illini... the Saluki Women's team that is. The women will play opponents from the Big Ten, Big East, and A-10 in their non-conference season.
If Hudson is indeed bought out of his contract he will join Jamaal Tatum in the NBA's free agent ranks. The Miami Heat should have some interest in Hudson at the right price.
Randal Falker missed the cut for the Pan Am Games but he wasn't the only talented big man left off the roster; Wisconsin's Brian Butch was left off the team as well. Falker will get another shot to go up against at least one of the players that were chosen when D.J. White and Indiana come to SIU Arena this year.
Congrats to SIU AD Mario Moccia who signed a contract extension that will keep him at SIU through the 2009-10 season. It's good to see SIU reward Chris Lowery, Dana Eikenberg, and Moccia with contracts. With these leaders at the helm, SIU Athletics is in good shape.
Finally, the Salukis will head to Champaign to play the Illini... the Saluki Women's team that is. The women will play opponents from the Big Ten, Big East, and A-10 in their non-conference season.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Sunday Sports Review
In this clip from the Sunday Sports Review (91.1 WDBX) Mark and I discuss the Salukis non-conference schedule, Coach Lowery's press conference, and the development of the returning players.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Five questions with Will Leitch of Deadspin.com
When it comes to sports bloggers Will Leitch is pretty much the best show in town right now. His website deadspin.com offers "Sports news without access, favor, or discretion" and attracts over 1 million visitors each week. Will was the editor of the Daily Illini in college and has since written for The Sporting News and the New York Times. Will has also published two books- Catch and Life as a Loser. His upcoming book God Save the Fan is set for release in January. Today he took some time out of his busy schedule to answer 5 questions for salukihoops.com.
Will, you are a U of I alum and big time Illini fan. Would you like to see U of I play against SIU and do you think it will ever happen?
I would love to see it ... but I wouldn't hold your breath. Illinois really has nothing to gain from that game and everything to lose. Man, I'd be stoked to see that in the tournament sometime though. Unless, of course, the Illini lost.
In your upcoming book God Save the Fan you talk about how the fans of the game are the last people thought about when teams and leagues make decisions. Do you see this as more of a problem in professional sports or has the problem invaded college sports as well?
I think it's more obvious in pro sports, because there's more money involved, but it's definitely true in college sports as well. I do think the real victims in college sports are the athletes, though. But yeah: It's important that fans remember that they are the ones paying for all this, and that they are in charge.
Being from Mattoon, Illinois, have you ever been down to Carbondale or watched a Saluki game at SIU Arena?
I've been to Carbondale several times, though I've never actually made it down for a game. I think a third of my high school went to SIU. It was more of a party school when I was in college, though I think ya'll can probably still hold your own.
Your blog deadspin.com has become a major source of actual "sports news" for millions of readers. Do you think the sports blog world will eventually get more respect from the major media outlets?
Well, eventually it will because all the major media outlets will be doing blogs. But "independent media?" Nope. They'll never respect it. They've never respected alt-weeklys; they will always be scared, in my opinion, of what they cannot control.
From your perspective how has the perception of "Mid-Major" basketball changed in the past few years, specifically that of the Missouri Valley Conference?
It's just a financial term anymore; I would have taken the top four teams in the MVC over the top four teams in the Big Ten last year, without question. And it gives me no joy to say that.
Thanks Will and good luck with your book!
Will, you are a U of I alum and big time Illini fan. Would you like to see U of I play against SIU and do you think it will ever happen?
I would love to see it ... but I wouldn't hold your breath. Illinois really has nothing to gain from that game and everything to lose. Man, I'd be stoked to see that in the tournament sometime though. Unless, of course, the Illini lost.
In your upcoming book God Save the Fan you talk about how the fans of the game are the last people thought about when teams and leagues make decisions. Do you see this as more of a problem in professional sports or has the problem invaded college sports as well?
I think it's more obvious in pro sports, because there's more money involved, but it's definitely true in college sports as well. I do think the real victims in college sports are the athletes, though. But yeah: It's important that fans remember that they are the ones paying for all this, and that they are in charge.
Being from Mattoon, Illinois, have you ever been down to Carbondale or watched a Saluki game at SIU Arena?
I've been to Carbondale several times, though I've never actually made it down for a game. I think a third of my high school went to SIU. It was more of a party school when I was in college, though I think ya'll can probably still hold your own.
Your blog deadspin.com has become a major source of actual "sports news" for millions of readers. Do you think the sports blog world will eventually get more respect from the major media outlets?
Well, eventually it will because all the major media outlets will be doing blogs. But "independent media?" Nope. They'll never respect it. They've never respected alt-weeklys; they will always be scared, in my opinion, of what they cannot control.
From your perspective how has the perception of "Mid-Major" basketball changed in the past few years, specifically that of the Missouri Valley Conference?
It's just a financial term anymore; I would have taken the top four teams in the MVC over the top four teams in the Big Ten last year, without question. And it gives me no joy to say that.
Thanks Will and good luck with your book!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Preseason Top 25 for SIU?
Will SIU be ranked in the Top 25 to start the season? Some of the early polls are coming out and things are looking good for the boys in maroon. Rivals.com has SIU at #23 ahead of Ohio State and Florida. CBS sportsline has the Salukis at #21 four spots ahead of Butler.
Preseason ranking represents a new day for a program that has proven to be a force in College Basketball. This is a new feeling for Saluki fans who are used to getting the Rodney Dangerfield treatment... no respect. Let's take a trip down memory lane to October 2003 when the Salukis were picked to finish 5th IN THE MVC! We know how the story ended that year. Matt Painter and Co. destroyed the Valley with a 17-1 record en route to becoming ranked #15 in the nation.
Speaking of Matt Painter his contract has been extended by Purdue through the 2012-2013 season. Painter led his Alma Mater to a 22-12 mark last season and won a first round game in the Big Dance. No salary number has been released yet but it's safe to say Coach Painter has done pretty well for himself. Painter's contract extension will help him on the recruiting trail because he can go into the living room of high school kids and assure them that he will be their head coach for all four years of their college experience.
Jamaal Tatum update- JT played 6 minutes in his first game with the New Jersey Nets summer league squad. He went 1 for 2 with a free throw for 3 points. Its a start. In other news Vince Carter has opened his home to the Nets summer league players so hopefully JT can find a few minutes to kick it poolside in his time time off.
Preseason ranking represents a new day for a program that has proven to be a force in College Basketball. This is a new feeling for Saluki fans who are used to getting the Rodney Dangerfield treatment... no respect. Let's take a trip down memory lane to October 2003 when the Salukis were picked to finish 5th IN THE MVC! We know how the story ended that year. Matt Painter and Co. destroyed the Valley with a 17-1 record en route to becoming ranked #15 in the nation.
Speaking of Matt Painter his contract has been extended by Purdue through the 2012-2013 season. Painter led his Alma Mater to a 22-12 mark last season and won a first round game in the Big Dance. No salary number has been released yet but it's safe to say Coach Painter has done pretty well for himself. Painter's contract extension will help him on the recruiting trail because he can go into the living room of high school kids and assure them that he will be their head coach for all four years of their college experience.
Jamaal Tatum update- JT played 6 minutes in his first game with the New Jersey Nets summer league squad. He went 1 for 2 with a free throw for 3 points. Its a start. In other news Vince Carter has opened his home to the Nets summer league players so hopefully JT can find a few minutes to kick it poolside in his time time off.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Press conference with Chris Lowery
Today I attended a press conference at SIU where Chris Lowery talked about next year's team as well as other topics.
Here are some interesting points that were made by Lowery.
-SIU fans will be rewarded with lots of good home games this year including Indiana and Butler.
-ESPN's college game day has contacted SIU but nothing is official.
-He thinks the game at Murray St. will happen this year but SIU is still waiting on Murray to work out their scheduling conflicts
-He would like to see the "text messaging ban" on talking to recruits lifted
-On the SLU vs SIU rivalry, a contract has not yet been signed to renew games past this year at this time.
-On SLU possibly coming to the MVC "The conference is perfect as it is".
-Lowery does not think that the loss of Tatum and Young is as drastic as Creighton's loss of Funk and Tolliver.
-He expects to see better defensive rebounding from the guard position because Clemmons and Green are bigger physically than Tatum and Young.
-Lowery also thinks that the increased rebounding from the guard position will lead to more fast breaks and a better transition game.
-Lowery calls Jamaal Tatum's chances of catching on with an NBA team "very good". He talked to JT's agent and it sounds like the New Jersey Nets have the most interest. The Nets have invited him to play summer league ball. Also, Tatum has received an invitation to the Atlanta Hawks veteran camp which Lowery said is rare for a first year player.
The non-conference schedule looks very difficult to me and in my opinion could be one of the best non-conference schedules in the country.
The Salukis better be ready to play early. After the home opener against Northern Illinois they head off to Anaheim to play in a televised Thanksgiving tournament including teams like USC, Mississippi St, Tulane, and Miami (Ohio). USC could be a top 10 team and a matchup with uber freshman OJ Mayo would be worth the price of admission. Indiana will have its own stud freshman, Eric Gordon, who will pair with DJ White to be one of the best 1-2 combos in college basketball. Butler will almost certainly be a top 25 team and with the return of three starters including AJ Graves; Butler will be a handful when they visit SIU Arena. Get your tickets early.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
