The Salukis host the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday in one of the most anticipated games in SIU history. Both teams will be looking to boost their NCAA Tournament resume with a big win over a quality opponent.
In order for the Salukis to win they will need to follow "The Blueprint" to beating Indiana.
Win the transition game- This is crucial. So far in this young season the Hoosiers have been slow at times getting back on defense. Bryan Mullins and Co. must create a few easy baskets off fast breaks.
On the flip side, SIU must slow the Hoosiers down, forcing them to earn their points against the Salukis infamous half court defense.
The Battle of the Bench- With the suspension of guard Jordan Crawford the Hoosiers are limited off the bench. Indiana will count on a bruising forward, 6-6 Senior Mike White, to provide depth. White is a wide load, but the Salukis have plenty of size to counter him.
For SIU, Josh Bone must be a scoring threat. Bone has already shown the ability to light up the scoreboard and against this high octane Indiana squad a big shooting night from Bone may be the difference between a win and a loss.
No word yet on the status of Wesley Clemmons for Saturday, but if he can recover from his ankle sprain it would provide a huge lift for the Dawgs.
Be the first one to 70- Over their last three games (vs Indiana St, Xavier, and Georgia Tech) the Hoosiers have averaged 73 points. Keeping this team in the 60's is a great accomplishment for any defense.
If the Salukis need 70 points to win then they will have to get a big game from Matt Shaw. Shaw must use his size and shooting stroke for the Salukis to keep pace.
Contain Eric Gordon and D.J. White- You'll undoubtedly hear plenty about Indiana's dynamic duo over the next few days, but the Salukis have the resources to slow these players down.
Bryan Mullins and Tyrone Green figure to form some sort of tag team combo against Gordon, trapping him at every turn. And if anyone is capable of defending White in the post, its MVC Defensive Player of the Year- Randal Falker.
Bottom Line- Gordon and White can't be completely shut down, but the Salukis must hold this combo to 40 points or less. In Indiana's only loss of the season vs Xavier, Gordon and White combined for 36.
Getting a win against this Indiana team is no easy task, just ask Georgia Tech who played a solid game against the Hoosiers on Tuesday night but still came up short.
If the Salukis follow "The Blueprint," they will chalk up a big win against #15 Indiana on Saturday.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Trojans knock off Salukis
The USC Trojans might be young, but they used their talent and athleticism to trump the more experienced Salukis. Regardless of age the Trojans were a much better team on this night and they cruised to a 25 point victory.
SIU got off to good start and held a 10-6 advantage when O.J. Mayo and Taj Gibson came off the bench for the Trojans. Mayo made an immediate impact knocking down a jumper as soon as he stepped on the floor. Moments later Tony Boyle gave him an official welcome by ringing his bell on a back court screen.
ESPN no doubt frustrated many Saluki fans when they continued to show Mayo on the bench during live action and then showed a graphic comparing him to Ben Gordon while the game was being played. Mayo lived up to the hype though, scoring 12 points on 5 of 7 shooting, showing off the shooting range that will make him a lottery pick in the NBA draft.
The Dawgs came out strong in the second half and trimmed the USC lead to 7 points with 16:07 remaining but that's as close as they would get. Davon Jefferson took over the game putting up 20 points to lead all scorers.
USC was very well prepared for this game. They took advantage of Carlton Fay off the dribble and left Tyrone Green wide open for jump shots so they could double team Randal Falker. Falker was still a bright spot for the Salukis picking up 17 points and 12 rebounds, and once again showing off improved shooting range.
USC was basically the home team in this tournament but take nothing away from them, they deserved to win. The Salukis never found a rhythm in this one, but there will be better days. The Dawgs will have to bounce back quickly as they prepare to host the Hoosiers on Saturday night.
SIU got off to good start and held a 10-6 advantage when O.J. Mayo and Taj Gibson came off the bench for the Trojans. Mayo made an immediate impact knocking down a jumper as soon as he stepped on the floor. Moments later Tony Boyle gave him an official welcome by ringing his bell on a back court screen.
ESPN no doubt frustrated many Saluki fans when they continued to show Mayo on the bench during live action and then showed a graphic comparing him to Ben Gordon while the game was being played. Mayo lived up to the hype though, scoring 12 points on 5 of 7 shooting, showing off the shooting range that will make him a lottery pick in the NBA draft.
The Dawgs came out strong in the second half and trimmed the USC lead to 7 points with 16:07 remaining but that's as close as they would get. Davon Jefferson took over the game putting up 20 points to lead all scorers.
USC was very well prepared for this game. They took advantage of Carlton Fay off the dribble and left Tyrone Green wide open for jump shots so they could double team Randal Falker. Falker was still a bright spot for the Salukis picking up 17 points and 12 rebounds, and once again showing off improved shooting range.
USC was basically the home team in this tournament but take nothing away from them, they deserved to win. The Salukis never found a rhythm in this one, but there will be better days. The Dawgs will have to bounce back quickly as they prepare to host the Hoosiers on Saturday night.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Salukis Beat Down Mississippi State
In a showdown between SEC and MVC contenders, Mississippi State started with a bang, but they were eventually worked over by the Salukis who strong-armed their way to a 63-49 victory.
Jamont Gordon carried Mississippi State on his back, racking up 20 points, something that rarely happens against SIU. Gordon scored 10 of Mississippi State's last 13 points in the first half, including a big three pointer that gave his team a 26-21 lead with only 3 minutes remaining. The Salukis desperately needed an answer... enter Josh Bone.
Hollywood's writers may be on strike, but that didn't faze Josh Bone who rewrote the script during the last 2 before halftime.
First he took a pass from Randal Falker and knocked down a huge three to tie the game at 26, but he didn't stop there. With 39 seconds remaining Bone gave the Salukis the lead with his second three ball and then topped it off by knocking down another three at the buzzer to give the Salukis momentum and a 32-28 lead at the break.
In the second half Randal Falker took the reins and dominated the Mississippi State front line scoring 13 of the first 15 Saluki points. Falker was quiet early but he fought off double teams, solidified his position in the post, and converted an outstanding 7 of 9 from the floor. Even more impressive, Falker hit 9 of 10 from the free throw line. 90% from the line!!!
Mississippi State pulled within 6 points of the Salukis with 10 minutes to play but Josh Bone came back for his second act and hit a pair of three pointers to put the Salukis up 11.
Want to see some efficient stat lines? Bone and Falker combined to score 38 points on just 15 shots. Bone ended up with 15 points in 16 minutes and Falker led all scorers with 23.
Late in the second half a frustrated Mississippi State player smacked Falker square in the jaw knocking him to the floor. Falker, one of the coolest guys around, got up and smiled. Even though the officials missed the flagrant foul the Salukis had successfully dismantled the Bulldogs.
Not to be overlooked in this game is Bryan Mullins who tallied 8 assists and 6 steals. Mullins played a team high 37 minutes in what was basically a 6 man rotation. The Saluki starters have all logged huge minutes in this tournament. However, SIU will benefit from 9 more hours of rest than their next opponent who will be determined when Miami (OH) and USC tip-off tonight at 11:30 PM Central.
Jamont Gordon carried Mississippi State on his back, racking up 20 points, something that rarely happens against SIU. Gordon scored 10 of Mississippi State's last 13 points in the first half, including a big three pointer that gave his team a 26-21 lead with only 3 minutes remaining. The Salukis desperately needed an answer... enter Josh Bone.
Hollywood's writers may be on strike, but that didn't faze Josh Bone who rewrote the script during the last 2 before halftime.
First he took a pass from Randal Falker and knocked down a huge three to tie the game at 26, but he didn't stop there. With 39 seconds remaining Bone gave the Salukis the lead with his second three ball and then topped it off by knocking down another three at the buzzer to give the Salukis momentum and a 32-28 lead at the break.
In the second half Randal Falker took the reins and dominated the Mississippi State front line scoring 13 of the first 15 Saluki points. Falker was quiet early but he fought off double teams, solidified his position in the post, and converted an outstanding 7 of 9 from the floor. Even more impressive, Falker hit 9 of 10 from the free throw line. 90% from the line!!!
Mississippi State pulled within 6 points of the Salukis with 10 minutes to play but Josh Bone came back for his second act and hit a pair of three pointers to put the Salukis up 11.
Want to see some efficient stat lines? Bone and Falker combined to score 38 points on just 15 shots. Bone ended up with 15 points in 16 minutes and Falker led all scorers with 23.
Late in the second half a frustrated Mississippi State player smacked Falker square in the jaw knocking him to the floor. Falker, one of the coolest guys around, got up and smiled. Even though the officials missed the flagrant foul the Salukis had successfully dismantled the Bulldogs.
Not to be overlooked in this game is Bryan Mullins who tallied 8 assists and 6 steals. Mullins played a team high 37 minutes in what was basically a 6 man rotation. The Saluki starters have all logged huge minutes in this tournament. However, SIU will benefit from 9 more hours of rest than their next opponent who will be determined when Miami (OH) and USC tip-off tonight at 11:30 PM Central.
Anaheim Classic - Round 2
Today's opponent is Mississippi State. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the Bulldogs, here's what you need to know.
This was a preseason top 35 team in both of the national polls. An 84-82 loss to Clemson (#22) is the only blemish on their record. The Bulldogs return their leading scorers and rebounders from a team that finished 2006-07, just 3 points away from the NIT finals. During that post-season run, Mississippi State thumped Bradley 101-72.
Jamont Gordon and Charles Rhodes form the SEC's most productive inside-outside combination. Gordon averaged 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game last season, all while running the point. Charles Rhodes tested the waters after last season, but decided not to formally declare for the NBA. He's physical, quick, and capable of putting up a double-double on any given night.
The supporting cast is led by Ben Hansbrough. He looks just like his big brother, but a couple of inches shorter. He's got good touch on the ball and can hit from outside or clean the boards for points down low. Also, Jarvis Varnado is a defensive specialist that had 67 blocks as freshman last season and Barry Stewart averaged just under 10 ppg in his first year of college ball.
Both the Salukis and the Bulldogs won ugly yesterday, but on the other side of the coin, both squads were able to elevate their game when faced with lesser competition. Gametime is 2:00 PM on ESPN 2.
This was a preseason top 35 team in both of the national polls. An 84-82 loss to Clemson (#22) is the only blemish on their record. The Bulldogs return their leading scorers and rebounders from a team that finished 2006-07, just 3 points away from the NIT finals. During that post-season run, Mississippi State thumped Bradley 101-72.
Jamont Gordon and Charles Rhodes form the SEC's most productive inside-outside combination. Gordon averaged 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists per game last season, all while running the point. Charles Rhodes tested the waters after last season, but decided not to formally declare for the NBA. He's physical, quick, and capable of putting up a double-double on any given night.
The supporting cast is led by Ben Hansbrough. He looks just like his big brother, but a couple of inches shorter. He's got good touch on the ball and can hit from outside or clean the boards for points down low. Also, Jarvis Varnado is a defensive specialist that had 67 blocks as freshman last season and Barry Stewart averaged just under 10 ppg in his first year of college ball.
Both the Salukis and the Bulldogs won ugly yesterday, but on the other side of the coin, both squads were able to elevate their game when faced with lesser competition. Gametime is 2:00 PM on ESPN 2.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Dawgs Hammer Out a "W"
Television viewers hoping for a display of flashy basketball were doubtlessly deflated, but those appreciative of lock-down defense must have marveled as the Salukis thrashed Chattanooga 63-41 in the opening round of the Anaheim Classic. The win advances the #18 Dawgs to a semifinal collision with Mississippi State on Friday.
Southern may have settled the issue in the first 20 minutes. SIU's suffocating defensive pressure left the Mocs gasping and by halftime the Dawgs were up 28-19. The second 20 minutes saw the Salukis accelerate away. Chattanooga never found a rhythm, distributed turnovers left and right, and managed to shoot just 28.2 % from the field. Two free throws in the waning seconds allowed the Mocs to top the 40 mark.
The Mocs chased Randall Falker around a good deal, but couldn't seem to hem him in. He lit them up for 21. The Dawgs' court general Bryan Mullins also reached double figures with 10, including a pair of clean steals that turned into lay-ups on the opposite end.
Tomorrow's clash with Mississippi State should be a solid challenge for both clubs. Game time is 2 p.m. Central on ESPN 2.
Southern may have settled the issue in the first 20 minutes. SIU's suffocating defensive pressure left the Mocs gasping and by halftime the Dawgs were up 28-19. The second 20 minutes saw the Salukis accelerate away. Chattanooga never found a rhythm, distributed turnovers left and right, and managed to shoot just 28.2 % from the field. Two free throws in the waning seconds allowed the Mocs to top the 40 mark.
The Mocs chased Randall Falker around a good deal, but couldn't seem to hem him in. He lit them up for 21. The Dawgs' court general Bryan Mullins also reached double figures with 10, including a pair of clean steals that turned into lay-ups on the opposite end.
Tomorrow's clash with Mississippi State should be a solid challenge for both clubs. Game time is 2 p.m. Central on ESPN 2.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Salukis head to Anaheim
One key to winning the Anaheim Classic will be staying out of foul trouble. SIU had 15 fouls in the first half against Northern Illinois and the Huskies don't have the kind of explosive athletes that SIU will be seeing in Anaheim. Any team that plays the kind of D that the Salukis play is bound to commit some fouls, but allowing opponents easy points at the charity stripe could cost SIU in a close game.
The new starting lineup for the Salukis boasts lots of size and lots of defense. The front line of Falker, Boyle, and Shaw will dominate down low while Tyrone Green and Bryan Mullins pester opposing guards. This lineup will set a strong defensive tone and can force opposing teams out of their comfort zone.
Tyrone Green in particular has shown improvement from last season. Green was a liability on the offensive end last year but looks much more comfortable this season. He has done a good job moving the ball around on offense, and while he is still not a great shooter, he is an outstanding leaper who can get to the basket and dunk or draw fouls in mid-air. Knocking down foul shots will be a key for Green and he hit 3 of 4 on Saturday.
Wesley Clemmons has what Chris Lowery described as a severely sprained ankle. The timetable for his return is unknown so the team could be forced to play without him in Anaheim. Clemmons will likely be the 6th man for this team so his loss would be felt.
The Salukis will play 3 games in 4 days so depth will be an issue. The Salukis can still go 9 deep in Clemmons absence with Josh Bone, Brandon Wood, Christian Cornelius, and Carlton Fay coming off the bench. The Saluki bench players are capable of providing instant offense but those players will still need to improve defensively. In Saturday's post game comments Lowery explained, "You don't get to play just because it's game night" and he will force his bench players to improve defensively in order to earn playing time.
The Salukis have done a great job of getting out in transition. Bryan Mullins tallied a career high 9 assists while leading the Salukis on multiple fast breaks against NIU. Look for the Dawgs to light up the scoreboard in Anaheim if they continue to push the ball in transition.
The Salukis first opponent in Anaheim is the UT-Chattanooga Mocs who come into the game with a 1-1 record. Chattanooga's only loss came on the road against #9 Indiana, in a game that the Mocs actually led at halftime. Gametime is 3pm Central on Thanksgiving and will be televised on ESPNU. Check back at Salukihoops for a live blog and complete coverage of all the action in Anaheim.
The new starting lineup for the Salukis boasts lots of size and lots of defense. The front line of Falker, Boyle, and Shaw will dominate down low while Tyrone Green and Bryan Mullins pester opposing guards. This lineup will set a strong defensive tone and can force opposing teams out of their comfort zone.
Tyrone Green in particular has shown improvement from last season. Green was a liability on the offensive end last year but looks much more comfortable this season. He has done a good job moving the ball around on offense, and while he is still not a great shooter, he is an outstanding leaper who can get to the basket and dunk or draw fouls in mid-air. Knocking down foul shots will be a key for Green and he hit 3 of 4 on Saturday.
Wesley Clemmons has what Chris Lowery described as a severely sprained ankle. The timetable for his return is unknown so the team could be forced to play without him in Anaheim. Clemmons will likely be the 6th man for this team so his loss would be felt.
The Salukis will play 3 games in 4 days so depth will be an issue. The Salukis can still go 9 deep in Clemmons absence with Josh Bone, Brandon Wood, Christian Cornelius, and Carlton Fay coming off the bench. The Saluki bench players are capable of providing instant offense but those players will still need to improve defensively. In Saturday's post game comments Lowery explained, "You don't get to play just because it's game night" and he will force his bench players to improve defensively in order to earn playing time.
The Salukis have done a great job of getting out in transition. Bryan Mullins tallied a career high 9 assists while leading the Salukis on multiple fast breaks against NIU. Look for the Dawgs to light up the scoreboard in Anaheim if they continue to push the ball in transition.
The Salukis first opponent in Anaheim is the UT-Chattanooga Mocs who come into the game with a 1-1 record. Chattanooga's only loss came on the road against #9 Indiana, in a game that the Mocs actually led at halftime. Gametime is 3pm Central on Thanksgiving and will be televised on ESPNU. Check back at Salukihoops for a live blog and complete coverage of all the action in Anaheim.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Valley Round-Up
The regular season is officially underway and Valley teams have met with mixed results thus far. Overall records are deceiving in the early stages due to the prevalence of games against non-Division I opponents, but the MVC has compiled a 19-9 mark through Monday. Everyone that has been following closely knows that this is a transition year for most of the member schools. Only 24 of 50 starters have returned from a year ago and 5 of the 10 programs replaced head coaches during the offseason. After looking at those figures, some early season lumps are to be expected. With that being said, let's take a look around the league...
Southern Illinois (1-0)
With only one result against a Division I opponent, the Salukis have climbed to #18 (USA-ESPN) and #19 (AP) in the national rankings that were released earlier today. The Dawgs looked great in the home opener against Northern Illinois and appear confident heading into the Anaheim Classic.
Northern Iowa (4-0)
The surprise of the conference thus far with wins over Northern Illinois, Cal Poly Slo, UMass, and Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Eric Coleman is averaging a double-double. Jordan Eglesder and Jared Josten are also averaging in double figures.
Illinois State (3-0)
The Redbirds have beaten up on UNC-Wilmington and SEMO. Osiris Eldridge tallied 57 points in those two victories. We'll know a lot more about these guys after they square off with Indiana (#8) on Friday night.
Creighton (2-0)
P'Allen Stinnett scored 23 points in his college debut as Creighton rolled past DePaul. Chad Millard is living up to expectations after transferring from Louisville. Dane Watts is steady and solid. This team should get better every night out. Nebraska is up next on Saturday.
Drake (2-1)
The two wins came against non-Division I opponents and the loss was on the road against St. Mary's. The Bulldogs held an 8 point lead over the Gaels early in the second half.
Bradley (2-1)
Picked to finish #2 in the conference, Bradley got off to a rocky start by losing to Illinois-Chicago, but recovered with wins over Maryland Eastern Shore and Iowa State. Friday night, the Braves match up with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Missouri State (2-1)
Another rough start, beginning with an opening night loss to Toledo, followed by the arrest and subsequent suspension of three players, including starter Chris Cooks, due to charges of felony theft. It was looking pretty grim in Springfield and then the Bears stepped up and beat down UNC-Greensboro by 27. That Greensboro squad was coming off of a road victory over Georgia Tech. Inconceivable. Missouri State faces SLU, Winthrop, and Arkansas in the upcoming week.
Wichita State (2-2)
The Shockers have topped Arkansas Pine Bluff and Illinois-Chicago, but they also came up short against Baylor and Monmouth. A disappointing start, but really just a continuation of last year's slide. P.J. Couisnard is only averaging 5 ppg, while playing 30 mpg.
Indiana State (1-2), Evansville (0-2)
Butler has beaten both of these teams.
Southern Illinois (1-0)
With only one result against a Division I opponent, the Salukis have climbed to #18 (USA-ESPN) and #19 (AP) in the national rankings that were released earlier today. The Dawgs looked great in the home opener against Northern Illinois and appear confident heading into the Anaheim Classic.
Northern Iowa (4-0)
The surprise of the conference thus far with wins over Northern Illinois, Cal Poly Slo, UMass, and Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Eric Coleman is averaging a double-double. Jordan Eglesder and Jared Josten are also averaging in double figures.
Illinois State (3-0)
The Redbirds have beaten up on UNC-Wilmington and SEMO. Osiris Eldridge tallied 57 points in those two victories. We'll know a lot more about these guys after they square off with Indiana (#8) on Friday night.
Creighton (2-0)
P'Allen Stinnett scored 23 points in his college debut as Creighton rolled past DePaul. Chad Millard is living up to expectations after transferring from Louisville. Dane Watts is steady and solid. This team should get better every night out. Nebraska is up next on Saturday.
Drake (2-1)
The two wins came against non-Division I opponents and the loss was on the road against St. Mary's. The Bulldogs held an 8 point lead over the Gaels early in the second half.
Bradley (2-1)
Picked to finish #2 in the conference, Bradley got off to a rocky start by losing to Illinois-Chicago, but recovered with wins over Maryland Eastern Shore and Iowa State. Friday night, the Braves match up with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Missouri State (2-1)
Another rough start, beginning with an opening night loss to Toledo, followed by the arrest and subsequent suspension of three players, including starter Chris Cooks, due to charges of felony theft. It was looking pretty grim in Springfield and then the Bears stepped up and beat down UNC-Greensboro by 27. That Greensboro squad was coming off of a road victory over Georgia Tech. Inconceivable. Missouri State faces SLU, Winthrop, and Arkansas in the upcoming week.
Wichita State (2-2)
The Shockers have topped Arkansas Pine Bluff and Illinois-Chicago, but they also came up short against Baylor and Monmouth. A disappointing start, but really just a continuation of last year's slide. P.J. Couisnard is only averaging 5 ppg, while playing 30 mpg.
Indiana State (1-2), Evansville (0-2)
Butler has beaten both of these teams.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Dawgs Chew Up Northern
Southern Illinois sent the NIU Huskies yelping out the door Saturday night, on the short end of an 88-68 scalding at the SIU Arena. From the jump, coach Chris Lowery's Salukis tore into NIU on both ends of the court.
The SIU defense was so searingly effective that the stunned Huskies were held scoreless for the first 9:48 of the contest. In the meantime the Salukis built a 17 point advantage. SIU was sailing along with a 43-21 lead at intermission, and Northern had to can 11 free throws to get that close.
After starting an all-veteran lineup of Falker, Shaw, Boyle, Green, and Mullins, Lowery rotated a total of 11 men, and ten of them scored. Starved for offense from the bench last year, the SIU non-starters racked up 40 points Saturday. Freshman guard Brandon Wood contributed 15, including two treys, logging 27 minutes of court time.
The 22 point SIU lead at the half eased the crowd at SIU Arena, but NIU emerged from the locker room and outscored Southern 47-45 in the last 20 minutes.
With most of the Saluki starters on the bench, the Huskies made some headway with their slash and kickout style. In the final ten minutes they began to overwhelm the SIU reserves- which set off alarm bells on the SIU bench. Lowery scrambled to hustle his regulars out there once again. They didn't have to save the game, but their mission was to demonstrate that defensive intensity must be maintained.
Shaw and Mullins paced Southern's scoring with 16 each, while Northern's Jarvis Nichols led all scorers with 18, including 4 threes. Tony Boyle's 10 rebounds led SIU to a 35-33 edge on the boards.
The 20 point opening night Saluki win was gratifying, but Coach Lowery must have felt like a man driving an eight horse hitch at full gallop over a rocky road. His rambunctious rookies dozed on defense, and the team committed 20 turnovers. With the Anaheim Hoops Classic Tournament just ahead, adjustments will have to be made. SIU faces a very athletic Chattanooga squad in the opening round on Thanksgiving afternoon, with potential match-ups against Mississippi State and USC if the Dawgs keep winning.
The SIU defense was so searingly effective that the stunned Huskies were held scoreless for the first 9:48 of the contest. In the meantime the Salukis built a 17 point advantage. SIU was sailing along with a 43-21 lead at intermission, and Northern had to can 11 free throws to get that close.
After starting an all-veteran lineup of Falker, Shaw, Boyle, Green, and Mullins, Lowery rotated a total of 11 men, and ten of them scored. Starved for offense from the bench last year, the SIU non-starters racked up 40 points Saturday. Freshman guard Brandon Wood contributed 15, including two treys, logging 27 minutes of court time.
The 22 point SIU lead at the half eased the crowd at SIU Arena, but NIU emerged from the locker room and outscored Southern 47-45 in the last 20 minutes.
With most of the Saluki starters on the bench, the Huskies made some headway with their slash and kickout style. In the final ten minutes they began to overwhelm the SIU reserves- which set off alarm bells on the SIU bench. Lowery scrambled to hustle his regulars out there once again. They didn't have to save the game, but their mission was to demonstrate that defensive intensity must be maintained.
Shaw and Mullins paced Southern's scoring with 16 each, while Northern's Jarvis Nichols led all scorers with 18, including 4 threes. Tony Boyle's 10 rebounds led SIU to a 35-33 edge on the boards.
The 20 point opening night Saluki win was gratifying, but Coach Lowery must have felt like a man driving an eight horse hitch at full gallop over a rocky road. His rambunctious rookies dozed on defense, and the team committed 20 turnovers. With the Anaheim Hoops Classic Tournament just ahead, adjustments will have to be made. SIU faces a very athletic Chattanooga squad in the opening round on Thanksgiving afternoon, with potential match-ups against Mississippi State and USC if the Dawgs keep winning.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Short handed Salukis take on Huskies
The Salukis could be down a couple of guards tonight with Josh Bone and Wesley Clemmons nursing injuries. This might bump Tony Boyle into the starting lineup and give more minutes to Brandon Wood, Carlton Fay, and Christian Cornelius.
NIU is winless in three games so far this year and have given up nearly 90 points a game to their opponents. Northern Iowa beat them 75-45, U Mass scored 102 points against them, and they also lost by 10 to Cal Poly (who?).
Senior guard Ryan Paradise is the only Husky player to average double digits, scoring 15ppg so far this season. Paradise will have problems getting to his average against the Saluki D.
Even though the Huskies are winless they are a D1 opponent and they offer better competition than SIU has seen so far this year. While the Huskies cannot be overlooked the Salukis are a much better team, even if they are shorthanded.
NIU is winless in three games so far this year and have given up nearly 90 points a game to their opponents. Northern Iowa beat them 75-45, U Mass scored 102 points against them, and they also lost by 10 to Cal Poly (who?).
Senior guard Ryan Paradise is the only Husky player to average double digits, scoring 15ppg so far this season. Paradise will have problems getting to his average against the Saluki D.
Even though the Huskies are winless they are a D1 opponent and they offer better competition than SIU has seen so far this year. While the Huskies cannot be overlooked the Salukis are a much better team, even if they are shorthanded.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Signed and Sealed
You already know their names and you'll be hearing them for years to come. Dillard, Booker, and Roundtree. The greatest recruiting class in SIU history.
"This is our era" said Lowery, "We're trying to create the best era ever, we're getting kids that want to go to the Final Four".
Lowery's recruiting was top notch but apparently UPS's delivery of Anthony Booker's LOI was not. UPS temporarily lost Booker's LOI yesterday causing some concern for the folks at Lingle Hall.
Booker, who was once considered to be a tag-along to Torres Roundtree, shot up the recruiting ranks this off season and was urged to decommit by one big name coach. Relief came today when the LOI finally arrived in Carbondale.
A former point guard himself, Lowery seemed the most excited when he spoke about Kevin Dillard. "He has a lot of flash, he can do all the 'And1' stuff," Lowery said with a smile, quickly adding that it could get Dillard in trouble if he tries to do it on the court. With the freshman Dillard and the senior Bryan Mullins at the point guard spot next year the Salukis could have one of the top PG combos in the country.
So what can Lowery do for an encore? Saluki Way will only help in the recruiting process. Lowery mentioned a players lounge, a better locker room, and an improved film room as Saluki Way features that will help in landing future recruits. Oh yeah, and winning doesn't hurt either. The Salukis figure to do plenty of that this season.
"This is our era" said Lowery, "We're trying to create the best era ever, we're getting kids that want to go to the Final Four".
Lowery's recruiting was top notch but apparently UPS's delivery of Anthony Booker's LOI was not. UPS temporarily lost Booker's LOI yesterday causing some concern for the folks at Lingle Hall.
Booker, who was once considered to be a tag-along to Torres Roundtree, shot up the recruiting ranks this off season and was urged to decommit by one big name coach. Relief came today when the LOI finally arrived in Carbondale.
A former point guard himself, Lowery seemed the most excited when he spoke about Kevin Dillard. "He has a lot of flash, he can do all the 'And1' stuff," Lowery said with a smile, quickly adding that it could get Dillard in trouble if he tries to do it on the court. With the freshman Dillard and the senior Bryan Mullins at the point guard spot next year the Salukis could have one of the top PG combos in the country.
So what can Lowery do for an encore? Saluki Way will only help in the recruiting process. Lowery mentioned a players lounge, a better locker room, and an improved film room as Saluki Way features that will help in landing future recruits. Oh yeah, and winning doesn't hurt either. The Salukis figure to do plenty of that this season.
Eikenberg inks two
Dana Eikenberg landed two big guards guards in 5-11 Olivia Lett and 5-10 Eryn Stepherson.
Olivia Lett is a big time scorer from Pana, Il. Lett was named to the class A all-state team by the Associated Press and excels in the classroom as well. Lett could qualify for a full academic scholarship, very impressive.
Eryn Stepherson is more of defensive threat, and was a member of Edwardsville's 400m relay team that won the state championship last spring.
Eikenberg has done an excellent job turning around the program at SIU and is making progress in recruiting. Eikenberg narrowly missed out on two top notch recruits who instead settled on SLU, and Wisconsin.
Coach Eikenberg is still looking to add two more players to next year's squad and she'll probably go the junior college route to fill the those spots. With a team full of freshmen this year, adding two juniors to next year's roster might not be a bad idea anyway.
Eikenberg is very entertaining to listen to and she seems like she is capable of building great relationships with recruits. Given an open mic and a chance to answer questions about her program Eikenberg was charismatic and funny, exactly the qualities that will attract quality players to an up and coming program.
Olivia Lett is a big time scorer from Pana, Il. Lett was named to the class A all-state team by the Associated Press and excels in the classroom as well. Lett could qualify for a full academic scholarship, very impressive.
Eryn Stepherson is more of defensive threat, and was a member of Edwardsville's 400m relay team that won the state championship last spring.
Eikenberg has done an excellent job turning around the program at SIU and is making progress in recruiting. Eikenberg narrowly missed out on two top notch recruits who instead settled on SLU, and Wisconsin.
Coach Eikenberg is still looking to add two more players to next year's squad and she'll probably go the junior college route to fill the those spots. With a team full of freshmen this year, adding two juniors to next year's roster might not be a bad idea anyway.
Eikenberg is very entertaining to listen to and she seems like she is capable of building great relationships with recruits. Given an open mic and a chance to answer questions about her program Eikenberg was charismatic and funny, exactly the qualities that will attract quality players to an up and coming program.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Signing Day
Coach Lowery will hold a press conference Thursday afternoon to comment on the '08 recruiting class. Check back for all the info on the newest Salukis and later this week we'll preview Saturday night's match-up vs NIU.
Until then, please enjoy these videos of a few high school players that SIU might have some interest in...
Also, you can talk to other Saluki fans about signing day at Salukitalk.com
Until then, please enjoy these videos of a few high school players that SIU might have some interest in...
Also, you can talk to other Saluki fans about signing day at Salukitalk.com
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
MVC Tournament to stay in STL
Good news for Saluki fans, the MVC tournament will stay in St. Louis through at least 2011. This deal also includes an option to keep the tournament in STL through 2013.
File this under "if it's not broke don't fix it."
Last year's MVC Tournament was an overwhelming success and this year's tournament should rival those figures even if the conference isn't quite as good as it was last year. As of right now SIU looks like the only at-large caliber team and this could be a one bid league if SIU wins the conference tournament. As long as the MVC Tournament can mirror last season's success each year I doubt you will hear any complaints at the league office.
St. Louis is located in a central location for the conference which helps sell tickets to all of the member schools. Most importantly for the Salukis, Carbondale fans can go from their driveway to Union Station in 2 hours.
Besides, with an awesome nickname like "Arch Madness" how could you change the location?
Share your thoughts on the location of the conference tournament at SalukiTalk.
File this under "if it's not broke don't fix it."
Last year's MVC Tournament was an overwhelming success and this year's tournament should rival those figures even if the conference isn't quite as good as it was last year. As of right now SIU looks like the only at-large caliber team and this could be a one bid league if SIU wins the conference tournament. As long as the MVC Tournament can mirror last season's success each year I doubt you will hear any complaints at the league office.
St. Louis is located in a central location for the conference which helps sell tickets to all of the member schools. Most importantly for the Salukis, Carbondale fans can go from their driveway to Union Station in 2 hours.
Besides, with an awesome nickname like "Arch Madness" how could you change the location?
Share your thoughts on the location of the conference tournament at SalukiTalk.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Exhibition Wrap-up
The Saluki men finished up exhibition play with a 97-51 win over Lincoln Memorial today.
Brandon Wood showed significant improvement from the first exhibition game. Wood had 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in 24 minutes of play. It might be more important to note he only had 2 turnovers in 24 minutes. Wood said he felt more comfortable and showed it with an explosive tip-in dunk.
After the game Lowery said that he was "very pleased" with Christian Cornelius who had 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in 22 minutes. Cornelius looked much more comfortable in this game and Lowery stuck with him even when he was tired and was calling for a breather during the first half. Conditioning might be an issue early on but putting faith in Cornelius now could pay big dividends later in the season.
Josh Bone was injured while diving for a ball in practice this week but Lowery said that he probably could have played today.
Carlton Fay was a little off shooting the ball today but shooting won't be a concern for Fay. He did have 3 assists and just 1 turnover and Lowery said that "he could be special on both sides of the ball" citing his ability to take a charge and his willingness to give his body up. The areas for Fay to improve on include close outs and his overall quickness getting to the ball.
Dion Coopwood played tough defense and hit 4 of 5 shooting. Lowery envisions using him in a similar role as he used former walk on Austin Brooks. It is important to have that extra guard if there are additional injuries combined with players in foul trouble. In that case, Coopwood could come in and play a few meaningful minutes.
Tony Boyle scored 10 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in his return from a broken hand. Boyle still needs to work on limiting his fouls but he showed that he's healthy and ready for the season to start.
Brandon Wood showed significant improvement from the first exhibition game. Wood had 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in 24 minutes of play. It might be more important to note he only had 2 turnovers in 24 minutes. Wood said he felt more comfortable and showed it with an explosive tip-in dunk.
After the game Lowery said that he was "very pleased" with Christian Cornelius who had 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in 22 minutes. Cornelius looked much more comfortable in this game and Lowery stuck with him even when he was tired and was calling for a breather during the first half. Conditioning might be an issue early on but putting faith in Cornelius now could pay big dividends later in the season.
Josh Bone was injured while diving for a ball in practice this week but Lowery said that he probably could have played today.
Carlton Fay was a little off shooting the ball today but shooting won't be a concern for Fay. He did have 3 assists and just 1 turnover and Lowery said that "he could be special on both sides of the ball" citing his ability to take a charge and his willingness to give his body up. The areas for Fay to improve on include close outs and his overall quickness getting to the ball.
Dion Coopwood played tough defense and hit 4 of 5 shooting. Lowery envisions using him in a similar role as he used former walk on Austin Brooks. It is important to have that extra guard if there are additional injuries combined with players in foul trouble. In that case, Coopwood could come in and play a few meaningful minutes.
Tony Boyle scored 10 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in his return from a broken hand. Boyle still needs to work on limiting his fouls but he showed that he's healthy and ready for the season to start.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Lincoln Memorial - Preview
-Quick Facts-
Allow me to bring you up to speed... Lincoln Memorial University was founded in 1899 as a living memorial to the 16th President of the United States. The aptly named mascot of this Div. II program is the Railsplitter. The campus in Harrogate, Tennessee sits among the Appalachian Mountains and is quite striking this time of year. In two results, the Railsplitters have fallen to Tennessee (61-124) and Middle Tennessee State (68-93).
-Big Picture-
In the wake of the Gardner-Webb incident, no outcome is absolutely certain prior to the tip, but this is a paid-to-play game and the Salukis should emerge victorious. Game time is 2:05 CST at the Arena. Bring the noise.
-Under the Microscope-
Carlton Fay and Josh Bone confirmed that they are capable of putting points on the board, but they need to prove they are equally capable of keeping the other team from doing the same.
Brandon Wood made some questionable decisions distributing the ball last weekend. Watch to see if he can adjust to the pace of the game and cut down on his turnovers. Like Fay and Bone, improved defense and additional care with the basketball will equal more time on the floor to knock down triples.
Wesley Clemmons and Tyrone Green played key roles off the bench last season. This year they are penciled in as starters. Defense and rebounding are never a problem for these guys. However, they will need to show more consistency and reliability on offense in order to remove the question mark that has been attached here.
Christian Cornelius took a major step forward in his return from knee surgery last week. He and Jordan Armstrong will see minutes on Sunday. Also, Tony Boyle will likely make his season debut.
As for Falker, Shaw, and Mullins... even running at 3/4 speed this trio will be dominant in the final tune-up before seeing Division I competition.
-Bottom Line-
Set the TIVO for the Rams and Bears, throw on something maroon and head to the Arena to check out the 2007-08 Salukis.
Allow me to bring you up to speed... Lincoln Memorial University was founded in 1899 as a living memorial to the 16th President of the United States. The aptly named mascot of this Div. II program is the Railsplitter. The campus in Harrogate, Tennessee sits among the Appalachian Mountains and is quite striking this time of year. In two results, the Railsplitters have fallen to Tennessee (61-124) and Middle Tennessee State (68-93).
-Big Picture-
In the wake of the Gardner-Webb incident, no outcome is absolutely certain prior to the tip, but this is a paid-to-play game and the Salukis should emerge victorious. Game time is 2:05 CST at the Arena. Bring the noise.
-Under the Microscope-
Carlton Fay and Josh Bone confirmed that they are capable of putting points on the board, but they need to prove they are equally capable of keeping the other team from doing the same.
Brandon Wood made some questionable decisions distributing the ball last weekend. Watch to see if he can adjust to the pace of the game and cut down on his turnovers. Like Fay and Bone, improved defense and additional care with the basketball will equal more time on the floor to knock down triples.
Wesley Clemmons and Tyrone Green played key roles off the bench last season. This year they are penciled in as starters. Defense and rebounding are never a problem for these guys. However, they will need to show more consistency and reliability on offense in order to remove the question mark that has been attached here.
Christian Cornelius took a major step forward in his return from knee surgery last week. He and Jordan Armstrong will see minutes on Sunday. Also, Tony Boyle will likely make his season debut.
As for Falker, Shaw, and Mullins... even running at 3/4 speed this trio will be dominant in the final tune-up before seeing Division I competition.
-Bottom Line-
Set the TIVO for the Rams and Bears, throw on something maroon and head to the Arena to check out the 2007-08 Salukis.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Movin' on up
The Salukis haven't played a regular season game yet but on Monday morning SIU will look to move up at least one spot in the top 25 rankings. The Kentucky Wildcats (#20 AP, #22 USA Today/ESPN) will probably drop out of the top 25 after being flat out beaten by Gardner-Webb in Kentucky!
The Salukis will most likely move to #23 in the AP and #22 in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
This game was televised on ESPN U and I was able to watch the upset brew. Gardner-Webb (approx enrollment- 3,900) did an outstanding job of rebounding against a bigger opponent and played without fear throughout the game. When Kentucky pressured their guards on the perimeter Gardner-Webb beat them with back door cuts.
What impressed me the most was the way Gardner-Webb continued to attack the Wildcats when they chipped away at the lead in the second half. Too many teams tighten up in that situation but the Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb played true to their nickname and earned every point of their 16 point win.
This is just one more example of the parity in college basketball. If a team like Gardner-Webb can blow out a ranked team on the road, then it's not too crazy to think the Salukis could knock out a 1 or 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament on their way to the Final Four.
The Salukis will most likely move to #23 in the AP and #22 in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
This game was televised on ESPN U and I was able to watch the upset brew. Gardner-Webb (approx enrollment- 3,900) did an outstanding job of rebounding against a bigger opponent and played without fear throughout the game. When Kentucky pressured their guards on the perimeter Gardner-Webb beat them with back door cuts.
What impressed me the most was the way Gardner-Webb continued to attack the Wildcats when they chipped away at the lead in the second half. Too many teams tighten up in that situation but the Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb played true to their nickname and earned every point of their 16 point win.
This is just one more example of the parity in college basketball. If a team like Gardner-Webb can blow out a ranked team on the road, then it's not too crazy to think the Salukis could knock out a 1 or 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament on their way to the Final Four.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
News and Notes
Tyrone Green is showing some improvement from last season but don't expect him to make a huge impact on offense. Green is one of the most athletic players on the squad and he will look to make his mark on defense. Green is an excellent leaper so he'll be a force on the boards, get to the rack, and slam home a few dunks. If he can hit about 70% of his free throws (last season he hit 11 of 24, 46%) he will make a solid overall contribution in his senior season.
With Green and Wesley Clemmons in the starting lineup the Salukis put their best five defenders on the floor to start the game. This is a smart strategy- not only does it set the tone for the game, but it also allows Chris Lowery to bring in some scoring punch off the bench.
Before practice on Tuesday Lowery did say there is an open competition for all five starting spots, but if Clemmons and Green stay healthy and productive I think the upperclassmen will keep their roles.
Joshua Bone looked great on offense during the first exhibition game, even running the point when Bryan Mullins was on the bench. Keep in mind, this is Floorburn U so Bone will have to earn his playing time on the defensive end, and he's not there yet.
Freshman guard Brandon Wood, is still trying to make the transition to college basketball. He needs to improve on defense and protect the basketball to earn playing time. There's no doubt that Wood is a great shooter, but he will need to get a better grasp of things before he's ready to play big minutes.
Speaking of freshmen that need to improve - Carlton Fay is not quite ready for prime time yet either. Sure, his jump shot is impressive, but he'll also need to develop a good low post game to contribute. Fay is not a particularly fast player so it is also crucial for him to get in good defensive position at all times.
Contrary to recent reports, Tony Boyle is still wearing a cast on his right hand. No word yet on exactly when it's coming off. Update 11/7: DawgTracker is reporting that Boyle had the cast removed Wednesday.
We'll be back later this week with a preview of Sunday's final exhibition game vs Lincoln Memorial. And don't forget the Saluki Women tip-off their regular season opener vs. DePaul on Saturday night at the SIU Arena.
With Green and Wesley Clemmons in the starting lineup the Salukis put their best five defenders on the floor to start the game. This is a smart strategy- not only does it set the tone for the game, but it also allows Chris Lowery to bring in some scoring punch off the bench.
Before practice on Tuesday Lowery did say there is an open competition for all five starting spots, but if Clemmons and Green stay healthy and productive I think the upperclassmen will keep their roles.
Joshua Bone looked great on offense during the first exhibition game, even running the point when Bryan Mullins was on the bench. Keep in mind, this is Floorburn U so Bone will have to earn his playing time on the defensive end, and he's not there yet.
Freshman guard Brandon Wood, is still trying to make the transition to college basketball. He needs to improve on defense and protect the basketball to earn playing time. There's no doubt that Wood is a great shooter, but he will need to get a better grasp of things before he's ready to play big minutes.
Speaking of freshmen that need to improve - Carlton Fay is not quite ready for prime time yet either. Sure, his jump shot is impressive, but he'll also need to develop a good low post game to contribute. Fay is not a particularly fast player so it is also crucial for him to get in good defensive position at all times.
Contrary to recent reports, Tony Boyle is still wearing a cast on his right hand. No word yet on exactly when it's coming off. Update 11/7: DawgTracker is reporting that Boyle had the cast removed Wednesday.
We'll be back later this week with a preview of Sunday's final exhibition game vs Lincoln Memorial. And don't forget the Saluki Women tip-off their regular season opener vs. DePaul on Saturday night at the SIU Arena.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Sunday Sports Review on 91.1FM
This morning at 10am(91.1FM) we rolled back the clocks and then talked some Saluki basketball. Click here to listen to the show.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Game Notes
Everything went pretty much as expected for the Salukis today. SIU held King to just 38 points, got a breakout type performance from Josh Bone, and the freshmen combo of Brandon Wood and Carlton Fay made their college debuts.
Bone went 4 of 6 from the field, including 2 of 3 from beyond the arc, for a total of 13 points in just 18 minutes. He had some problems with cramps but said they were nothing to worry about.
Not only did Bone show the ability to score, he also looked comfortable in the role of backup PG when Bryan Mullins was on the bench. After the game, Bone said that he knows he still needs to improve on defense but he'll be ready to play big minutes.
Matt Shaw had a nice game scoring 13 points in 28 minutes. It was just another day at the office for the senior forward from Centralia.
Fay and Wood made their fair share of freshmen mistakes. Wood had 6 turnovers in 18 minutes, and Lowery acknowledged that Wood needs to improve but he also expressed confidence in his shot. Fay was a step slow on the defensive end at times, but he also showed off his tremendous ability to shoot the basketball.
Christian Cornelius was able to play 8 minutes and collected a rebound, a steal, and an assist. This has to be viewed as a very positive step forward for Christian who missed all of last season due to injury.
The Salukis look like they will be a well balanced team offensively so it's probably time to close out the "how do we replace Tatum and Young" questions. Shaw, Falker, and Mullins will be rock solid and from what Bone showed today he will be ready to score double digits almost every night. As an added bonus the Salukis should also be able to get scoring contributions from the bench this season. However, make no mistake, this team's strength will once again be its defense.
Bone went 4 of 6 from the field, including 2 of 3 from beyond the arc, for a total of 13 points in just 18 minutes. He had some problems with cramps but said they were nothing to worry about.
Not only did Bone show the ability to score, he also looked comfortable in the role of backup PG when Bryan Mullins was on the bench. After the game, Bone said that he knows he still needs to improve on defense but he'll be ready to play big minutes.
Matt Shaw had a nice game scoring 13 points in 28 minutes. It was just another day at the office for the senior forward from Centralia.
Fay and Wood made their fair share of freshmen mistakes. Wood had 6 turnovers in 18 minutes, and Lowery acknowledged that Wood needs to improve but he also expressed confidence in his shot. Fay was a step slow on the defensive end at times, but he also showed off his tremendous ability to shoot the basketball.
Christian Cornelius was able to play 8 minutes and collected a rebound, a steal, and an assist. This has to be viewed as a very positive step forward for Christian who missed all of last season due to injury.
The Salukis look like they will be a well balanced team offensively so it's probably time to close out the "how do we replace Tatum and Young" questions. Shaw, Falker, and Mullins will be rock solid and from what Bone showed today he will be ready to score double digits almost every night. As an added bonus the Salukis should also be able to get scoring contributions from the bench this season. However, make no mistake, this team's strength will once again be its defense.
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