McCluer North, featuring SIU commits Torres Roundtree and Anthony Booker, took on Gateway Tech in the championship game of the Carbondale Holiday Tournament.
McCluer won the game 69-60 but Gateway Tech's Jesse Perry had an outstanding game and put up 23 points in the loss.
Foul trouble plagued Roundtree and Booker so they had limited playing time in the first half. Both players still made an impact on the game, Roundtree scored 10 points with 5 rebounds and Booker added 11 points and 7 boards.
Booker seemed to make the biggest impact of any player in the game. Gateway was able to make huge runs when Booker was on the bench but McCluer was in control when Booker was back on the floor.
Below are some video highlights of the game. First you'll see Anthony Booker highlights beginning with a nice baseline jumper.
Next you'll see a Jesse Perry dunk then the Torres Roundtree highlights. Enjoy.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Salukis Kick Off Valley Play With Win
SIU put five players in double figures on their way to a 79-71 win over Missouri State. Getting to 79 points was impressive considering it was mostly a half court game. The Dawgs worked for high percentage shots and went 47% from the field and 54% from 3 point land.
Things are coming together for the Salukis just in time for the start of conference play. The Salukis are playing good hard basketball right now and things are starting to click on offense.
Joshua Bone is a big reason for the Salukis' resurgence. Bone followed up his career high 19 point performance on Friday with 17 points on Sunday. It was an efficient 17 point game for Bone, he went 7 of 10 from the floor including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. A long time salukihoops.com favorite, Bone IS the shooter that many said this team was lacking.
Bryan Mullins had a nice bounce back game on Sunday. After missing some clutch free throws against Butler, Mullins hit 9 of 11 free throws and his performance from the line in the game's final minutes launched SIU to a 1-0 record in MVC play.
Tony Boyle, Wesley Clemmons, and Randal Falker also went for double figures in this game going a combined 13 of 16 from the foul line. Boyle has impressive shooting touch for a big man and he was a perfect 5 of 5 from the line.
Randal Falker continues his quest to shoot 70% from the stripe with a 5 of 7 performance that puts him at a much improved 67% for the season.
Now the Salukis hit the road for their next two games, heading to Drake on Wednesday (Mediacom) and to Illinois State next Saturday (WSIU). Both Drake (8-1, RPI 20) and Illinois State (8-3, RPI 61) are much improved from last season. Southern is yet to win a true road game this season so these next two games will be an important test for the Salukis. Stay Tuned.
Things are coming together for the Salukis just in time for the start of conference play. The Salukis are playing good hard basketball right now and things are starting to click on offense.
Joshua Bone is a big reason for the Salukis' resurgence. Bone followed up his career high 19 point performance on Friday with 17 points on Sunday. It was an efficient 17 point game for Bone, he went 7 of 10 from the floor including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. A long time salukihoops.com favorite, Bone IS the shooter that many said this team was lacking.
Bryan Mullins had a nice bounce back game on Sunday. After missing some clutch free throws against Butler, Mullins hit 9 of 11 free throws and his performance from the line in the game's final minutes launched SIU to a 1-0 record in MVC play.
Tony Boyle, Wesley Clemmons, and Randal Falker also went for double figures in this game going a combined 13 of 16 from the foul line. Boyle has impressive shooting touch for a big man and he was a perfect 5 of 5 from the line.
Randal Falker continues his quest to shoot 70% from the stripe with a 5 of 7 performance that puts him at a much improved 67% for the season.
Now the Salukis hit the road for their next two games, heading to Drake on Wednesday (Mediacom) and to Illinois State next Saturday (WSIU). Both Drake (8-1, RPI 20) and Illinois State (8-3, RPI 61) are much improved from last season. Southern is yet to win a true road game this season so these next two games will be an important test for the Salukis. Stay Tuned.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Salukis beaten at the foul line, not at the buzzer
Technically speaking, the Salukis lost at the buzzer but really this game was lost at the foul stripe.
Butler hit 21 of 30 foul shots while SIU made only 3 of 12 at the stripe. It's hard to beat a top 20 team when you're outscored by 18 at the foul line. If the Salukis hit just half of their foul shots the game would have been in hand and the buzzer beater by A.J. Graves would have been a footnote in the SIU victory.
Despite the free throw discrepancy SIU still had a great chance to win. Joshua Bone hit 5 of 7 shots from three point range and finished with 19 points. Bone's clutch shooting was a huge bright spot for the Salukis.
Even though the Salukis lost the game they were able to dictate the tempo for most of the contest. Southern played hard and they won the battle of the boards, pulling down 12 more rebounds than the Bulldogs in a losing effort.
Coach Chris Lowery noted in the post game that he thinks the program is "on the right track" but acknowledged his team has to do a better job of finishing things off. The Salukis will have to figure it out soon, Valley play starts on Sunday and even though the Dawgs are under .500 a conference championship is still within reach.
Butler hit 21 of 30 foul shots while SIU made only 3 of 12 at the stripe. It's hard to beat a top 20 team when you're outscored by 18 at the foul line. If the Salukis hit just half of their foul shots the game would have been in hand and the buzzer beater by A.J. Graves would have been a footnote in the SIU victory.
Despite the free throw discrepancy SIU still had a great chance to win. Joshua Bone hit 5 of 7 shots from three point range and finished with 19 points. Bone's clutch shooting was a huge bright spot for the Salukis.
Even though the Salukis lost the game they were able to dictate the tempo for most of the contest. Southern played hard and they won the battle of the boards, pulling down 12 more rebounds than the Bulldogs in a losing effort.
Coach Chris Lowery noted in the post game that he thinks the program is "on the right track" but acknowledged his team has to do a better job of finishing things off. The Salukis will have to figure it out soon, Valley play starts on Sunday and even though the Dawgs are under .500 a conference championship is still within reach.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Arena Magic
Merry Christmas Saluki fans! After 10 games this season there is a big enough sample size to examine some statistics. Let’s start with the frequently discussed statistic of shooting percentage.
The Salukis have compiled some great wins at SIU Arena over the last 6+ seasons. All teams are more comfortable at home but the Salukis have used their "Arena Magic" to go 82-4 at home since 2001. This season has been no exception; the Salukis have shot the ball much better at home than on the road…
The Dawgs have shot 46% (98-213) at home, going 3-1.
On a neutral court the Salukis have shot 40.4% (57-141), finishing 2-1 in Anaheim.
Road games are where the Salukis have struggled so far shooting 32.7% (53-162), en route to a 0-3 record.
Another stat that I decided to take a look at was personal fouls. The Salukis play a rugged style of defense that lends itself to committing a foul or two.
Tony Boyle has averaged a foul every 7 minutes, an improvement over last year when he committed a foul every 5.33 minutes. In contrast, Matt Shaw has done an excellent job of staying out of foul trouble- only averaging a foul every 13.6 minutes.
Coming into this season I said that when Shaw and Falker combine for 30 points, the Salukis would have the key ingredient for success. So far the Dawgs are 3-1 when the senior duo hits the 30 point mark.
Congratulations to Randal Falker who is now the all-time blocked shot leader at SIU. Falker recorded his 165th career blocked shot on Saturday, passing Joe C. Meriweather for the top spot on the career blocked shot list.
Falker also scored his 1000th career point against Western Kentucky on Saturday. Falker joins teammate Matt Shaw in the 1000 point club, Shaw connected for his 1000th point against Charlotte earlier this month.
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. Santa was very good to my family and I hope he was good to yours as well. Check out the Gifts for Saluki Basketball over at Dawg Tracker.
It’s a crucial stretch for the Salukis who play two home games in 42 hours this weekend. The competition will be tough but a little Arena Magic could go a long way towards getting this season right back on track.
The Salukis have compiled some great wins at SIU Arena over the last 6+ seasons. All teams are more comfortable at home but the Salukis have used their "Arena Magic" to go 82-4 at home since 2001. This season has been no exception; the Salukis have shot the ball much better at home than on the road…
The Dawgs have shot 46% (98-213) at home, going 3-1.
On a neutral court the Salukis have shot 40.4% (57-141), finishing 2-1 in Anaheim.
Road games are where the Salukis have struggled so far shooting 32.7% (53-162), en route to a 0-3 record.
Another stat that I decided to take a look at was personal fouls. The Salukis play a rugged style of defense that lends itself to committing a foul or two.
Tony Boyle has averaged a foul every 7 minutes, an improvement over last year when he committed a foul every 5.33 minutes. In contrast, Matt Shaw has done an excellent job of staying out of foul trouble- only averaging a foul every 13.6 minutes.
Coming into this season I said that when Shaw and Falker combine for 30 points, the Salukis would have the key ingredient for success. So far the Dawgs are 3-1 when the senior duo hits the 30 point mark.
Congratulations to Randal Falker who is now the all-time blocked shot leader at SIU. Falker recorded his 165th career blocked shot on Saturday, passing Joe C. Meriweather for the top spot on the career blocked shot list.
Falker also scored his 1000th career point against Western Kentucky on Saturday. Falker joins teammate Matt Shaw in the 1000 point club, Shaw connected for his 1000th point against Charlotte earlier this month.
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. Santa was very good to my family and I hope he was good to yours as well. Check out the Gifts for Saluki Basketball over at Dawg Tracker.
It’s a crucial stretch for the Salukis who play two home games in 42 hours this weekend. The competition will be tough but a little Arena Magic could go a long way towards getting this season right back on track.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Salukis Hold Court Against Hilltoppers
Times have been pretty hard of late for the Salukis, but you would never know that by the way they played this afternoon. The Dawgs looked strong from buzzer to buzzer against the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky with an 88-78 victory at the Arena.
Wesley Clemmons and Matt Shaw led the Salukis with 24 apiece, while Randal Falker added 20. Western Kentucky was paced by Courtney Lee who lived up to the hype and tossed in 30 for the boys from Bowling Green.
The early stages of today's contest featured alternating runs. The Salukis scored the first ten points of the game. Then the Hilltoppers countered with a 16-2 run. These middle heavyweights traded shots throughout the first half, but the Salukis headed into the break with a 40-36 advantage.
The second half began with a Salukis mini-run after a Wesley Clemmons three pointer, but the Hilltoppers knotted it up at 53-53 with 13:00 remaining. As the game entered its later stages, you could feel the confidence of the Salukis building and Bryan Mullins effectively sealed the deal with a clutch three pointer around the 3:00 mark. Tyrone Green extended the lead to 10 points with a pair of free throws after a steal and the party was on.
Statistically, the Salukis won the battle of the boards and shot 57% from 3-point range and from the field, while shooting 78% from the line.The offense nearly matched the combined total of its two previous games in half of the time. With three players over 20 points, the sports information department will be scrambling to find a precedent in recent program history.
Realistically, this is the first game all year that the Salukis consistently took shots in rhythm, which was a welcome sight. Shaw and Falker were effective in every aspect of the game, totaling 44 points and 16 rebounds. Also, Wesley Clemmons appears to have shaken off the lingering effects of his ankle injury. He was everywhere today.
Up next... the Butler Bulldogs on the 28th, followed by Missouri State on the 30th.
Wesley Clemmons and Matt Shaw led the Salukis with 24 apiece, while Randal Falker added 20. Western Kentucky was paced by Courtney Lee who lived up to the hype and tossed in 30 for the boys from Bowling Green.
The early stages of today's contest featured alternating runs. The Salukis scored the first ten points of the game. Then the Hilltoppers countered with a 16-2 run. These middle heavyweights traded shots throughout the first half, but the Salukis headed into the break with a 40-36 advantage.
The second half began with a Salukis mini-run after a Wesley Clemmons three pointer, but the Hilltoppers knotted it up at 53-53 with 13:00 remaining. As the game entered its later stages, you could feel the confidence of the Salukis building and Bryan Mullins effectively sealed the deal with a clutch three pointer around the 3:00 mark. Tyrone Green extended the lead to 10 points with a pair of free throws after a steal and the party was on.
Statistically, the Salukis won the battle of the boards and shot 57% from 3-point range and from the field, while shooting 78% from the line.The offense nearly matched the combined total of its two previous games in half of the time. With three players over 20 points, the sports information department will be scrambling to find a precedent in recent program history.
Realistically, this is the first game all year that the Salukis consistently took shots in rhythm, which was a welcome sight. Shaw and Falker were effective in every aspect of the game, totaling 44 points and 16 rebounds. Also, Wesley Clemmons appears to have shaken off the lingering effects of his ankle injury. He was everywhere today.
Up next... the Butler Bulldogs on the 28th, followed by Missouri State on the 30th.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Salukis limp back to Carbondale after 0-2 road trip
It started off so well... Randal Falker got the ball in the post, drew the defense, then kicked it out to Josh Bone who nailed an open 3.
That play was exactly what the Salukis needed to do to get rolling. Getting Falker touches, hitting the open man, knocking down jump shots... Everything was in place...
8 minutes passed before the Salukis scored again.
Early foul trouble plagued the Salukis and by the time Bryan Mullins hit a jumper to end the SIU drought, Western Michigan had surged to a 12 point advantage.
SIU had a chance to trim the lead to 8 on the final possession of the first half but three point attempts by Matt Shaw and Mullins were both off the mark and the Dawgs went into the locker room down 11.
After his opening trifecta, Bone didn't hit another shot all night (going 1 for 8), but he wasn't the only Saluki to struggle. Southern didn't put a single player in double figures and ended up with 41 total points, their lowest output in the Webber/Painter/Lowery era.
So where do the Salukis stand after their most recent loss?
Even if they win their last two non-conference games they will be 6-5 heading into Valley play. That's not at-large bid material.
Yes, it is early in the season to be talking about the NCAA Tourney but after 9 games the season is more than 25% complete. A quick look at the numbers shows SIU can still get to 20 regular season wins but it might take a 13-5 or 14-4 effort in the Valley to get there. That sort of success in the MVC would take a consistent performance that this team hasn't been able to achieve yet.
While the Dawgs are indeed heading home, the next two teams coming to SIU Arena are no chumps. Western Kentucky (RPI 96) just pushed Tennessee to it's limit and the Butler Bulldogs (RPI 14) are the 16th ranked team in the country.
The Salukis Strength of Schedule remains strong at 25, but in order to be considered a good team you must beat good teams. Southern's RPI has fallen to 106 and they will need more than just a signature win at home vs. St. Mary's (RPI 4).
Away from home the Dawgs are just 2-4 and that neutral site win against Mississippi State (RPI 157) doesn't have the luster many thought it would.
The Valley is much better than people thought and that will provide the Salukis with plenty more opportunities to get some big road wins. Creighton, Drake, Bradley, Missouri St, and Illinois St are all top 100 RPI teams and Northern Iowa (RPI 114) could still get there. Of course those who view the glass half empty could point out that there will be plenty of potential stumbling blocks for the Salukis during conference play.
Now that final exams are over, the Salukis will be able to focus entirely on basketball for the next three weeks, but their play in practice must carry over to game day. This 0-2 road trip has left the Dawgs with little margin for error. The Salukis will have to use some of their "Arena Magic" if they want to get this season back on track.
That play was exactly what the Salukis needed to do to get rolling. Getting Falker touches, hitting the open man, knocking down jump shots... Everything was in place...
8 minutes passed before the Salukis scored again.
Early foul trouble plagued the Salukis and by the time Bryan Mullins hit a jumper to end the SIU drought, Western Michigan had surged to a 12 point advantage.
SIU had a chance to trim the lead to 8 on the final possession of the first half but three point attempts by Matt Shaw and Mullins were both off the mark and the Dawgs went into the locker room down 11.
After his opening trifecta, Bone didn't hit another shot all night (going 1 for 8), but he wasn't the only Saluki to struggle. Southern didn't put a single player in double figures and ended up with 41 total points, their lowest output in the Webber/Painter/Lowery era.
So where do the Salukis stand after their most recent loss?
Even if they win their last two non-conference games they will be 6-5 heading into Valley play. That's not at-large bid material.
Yes, it is early in the season to be talking about the NCAA Tourney but after 9 games the season is more than 25% complete. A quick look at the numbers shows SIU can still get to 20 regular season wins but it might take a 13-5 or 14-4 effort in the Valley to get there. That sort of success in the MVC would take a consistent performance that this team hasn't been able to achieve yet.
While the Dawgs are indeed heading home, the next two teams coming to SIU Arena are no chumps. Western Kentucky (RPI 96) just pushed Tennessee to it's limit and the Butler Bulldogs (RPI 14) are the 16th ranked team in the country.
The Salukis Strength of Schedule remains strong at 25, but in order to be considered a good team you must beat good teams. Southern's RPI has fallen to 106 and they will need more than just a signature win at home vs. St. Mary's (RPI 4).
Away from home the Dawgs are just 2-4 and that neutral site win against Mississippi State (RPI 157) doesn't have the luster many thought it would.
The Valley is much better than people thought and that will provide the Salukis with plenty more opportunities to get some big road wins. Creighton, Drake, Bradley, Missouri St, and Illinois St are all top 100 RPI teams and Northern Iowa (RPI 114) could still get there. Of course those who view the glass half empty could point out that there will be plenty of potential stumbling blocks for the Salukis during conference play.
Now that final exams are over, the Salukis will be able to focus entirely on basketball for the next three weeks, but their play in practice must carry over to game day. This 0-2 road trip has left the Dawgs with little margin for error. The Salukis will have to use some of their "Arena Magic" if they want to get this season back on track.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Bills Storm Past SIU
The St. Louis Billikens rode a late 13-0 run to stall the Salukis 56-51 at Scottrade Center Saturday night. In a game of streaks, the Bills were hottest down the stretch.
SLU jumped to an early 13-8 advantage, but Southern's offense ground into gear and the Dawgs went up 23-16. Undaunted, the Bills energized their half of the crowd by hitting the next eight points, including a shot from the corner for a 24-23 lead at the break.
SIU forged a 48-39 lead with less than five minutes left and looked ready to close out a hard earned road win. The Billiken faithful, however, were in for a treat. Led by Junior guard Kevin Lisch, who tallied 8 of his 20 points in the closing minutes, the Bills roared past the gasping Salukis to cruise off with the victory.
Lisch and backcourt partner Tommy Liddell combined for 36 points, while Matt Shaw(21) , and Randall Falker (12) paced SIU. Josh Bone started the game and was held to 5 points, (including a late, clutch three) and he will need to take a bigger role in the offense for the Salukis to be successful. The Dawgs received zero offensive help off the bench.
Closing out games continues to be a struggle for Southern, now 4-4 on the year. SLU (7-5) racked up their 6th home win in seven outings this season.
With coach Rick Majerus at the helm and a new arena under contruction on campus the SLU program appears to be heading toward a measure of prosperity. It does seem somewhat strange to see A-10 conference membership banners hanging from the rafters at the Scottrade Center.
Perhaps one day the Bills, will return to the Valley. In any event, Southern and SLU are natural rivals. SLU has the alltime edge, at 25-23, including winning 19 of 28 games in St. Louis. Southern holds is 14-6 at home.
SLU jumped to an early 13-8 advantage, but Southern's offense ground into gear and the Dawgs went up 23-16. Undaunted, the Bills energized their half of the crowd by hitting the next eight points, including a shot from the corner for a 24-23 lead at the break.
SIU forged a 48-39 lead with less than five minutes left and looked ready to close out a hard earned road win. The Billiken faithful, however, were in for a treat. Led by Junior guard Kevin Lisch, who tallied 8 of his 20 points in the closing minutes, the Bills roared past the gasping Salukis to cruise off with the victory.
Lisch and backcourt partner Tommy Liddell combined for 36 points, while Matt Shaw(21) , and Randall Falker (12) paced SIU. Josh Bone started the game and was held to 5 points, (including a late, clutch three) and he will need to take a bigger role in the offense for the Salukis to be successful. The Dawgs received zero offensive help off the bench.
Closing out games continues to be a struggle for Southern, now 4-4 on the year. SLU (7-5) racked up their 6th home win in seven outings this season.
With coach Rick Majerus at the helm and a new arena under contruction on campus the SLU program appears to be heading toward a measure of prosperity. It does seem somewhat strange to see A-10 conference membership banners hanging from the rafters at the Scottrade Center.
Perhaps one day the Bills, will return to the Valley. In any event, Southern and SLU are natural rivals. SLU has the alltime edge, at 25-23, including winning 19 of 28 games in St. Louis. Southern holds is 14-6 at home.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
SIU Beats St. Mary's on the Glass
Rebounding was the key for SIU in their 15 point victory over St. Mary's. Randal Falker pulled down 12 boards and Matt Shaw grabbed 9 of his own. Together Shaw, Falker, and Tony Boyle out rebounded the entire St. Mary's team.
Bryan Mullins put together an outstanding game, fighting foul trouble to score 24 points and handing out 5 assists.
Give credit to Tyrone Green, he was able to kick in 9 points off the bench, providing a nice boost to a previously struggling offense.
This win was a badly needed NCAA Tournament resume builder for the Salukis. When tournament time comes a win over St. Mary's could help Southern make a case for a top 6 seed.
If SIU can win 3 of their final 4 non-conference games they would head into Valley play at 7-4 with an outstanding RPI. With their strength of schedule 7-4 would have to be considered a successful start to the season.
The Saint Louis Billikens are up next and they have struggled to a 6-5 record in their first 11 games. Head Coach Rick Majerus has admitted it might have been a mistake to schedule so many games early in the season while simultaneously trying to teach his team a new style of play. SIU will be the favorite in this game despite their struggles in the ScottTrade Center.
After SLU the Salukis head to Western Michigan next Tuesday for a matchup with the Broncos who are currently trying to break a 3 game losing streak of their own. Then it's two very difficult home contests against Western Kentucky and #18 Butler. Running the table in these games could get SIU back into the Top 25.
Regardless of what happens over the next two weeks SIU will be battle tested when Missouri State comes to town to start conference play on Dec 30th.
Bryan Mullins put together an outstanding game, fighting foul trouble to score 24 points and handing out 5 assists.
Give credit to Tyrone Green, he was able to kick in 9 points off the bench, providing a nice boost to a previously struggling offense.
This win was a badly needed NCAA Tournament resume builder for the Salukis. When tournament time comes a win over St. Mary's could help Southern make a case for a top 6 seed.
If SIU can win 3 of their final 4 non-conference games they would head into Valley play at 7-4 with an outstanding RPI. With their strength of schedule 7-4 would have to be considered a successful start to the season.
The Saint Louis Billikens are up next and they have struggled to a 6-5 record in their first 11 games. Head Coach Rick Majerus has admitted it might have been a mistake to schedule so many games early in the season while simultaneously trying to teach his team a new style of play. SIU will be the favorite in this game despite their struggles in the ScottTrade Center.
After SLU the Salukis head to Western Michigan next Tuesday for a matchup with the Broncos who are currently trying to break a 3 game losing streak of their own. Then it's two very difficult home contests against Western Kentucky and #18 Butler. Running the table in these games could get SIU back into the Top 25.
Regardless of what happens over the next two weeks SIU will be battle tested when Missouri State comes to town to start conference play on Dec 30th.
Monday, December 10, 2007
St. Mary's Pregame
Two teams heading in opposite directions will meet in the Arena on Tuesday night. The Salukis have have lost three straight and the St. Mary's Gaels stand undefeated at 7-0. Besides a clean record, the Gaels can also boast of a win over a ranked opponent (Oregon) and a spot in the latest national rankings (24).
The Gaels are led by Patrick Mills, a first year point guard. Through seven games, Mills is averaging 16 ppg, 4.4 apg, and 2.1 spg. Junior Forward Diamon Simpson is just shy of a double-double every night at 13.0 / 9.6. Also, nearly every person on the roster can hit from the outside. Eight players are averaging over 33% from beyond the arc.
For the Salukis... Matt Shaw and Randal Falker will have to show up on the same night. The Clark Kent and Superman routine is wearing thin. Also, if Josh Bone takes 19 shots and misses 15 in back-to-back games, I'll shave my head. I just don't think it's possible for this team to remain cold much longer. Career percentages and plain logic dictate a rebound to form for the Salukis sometime soon. Maybe it will be Tuesday night.
The Gaels are led by Patrick Mills, a first year point guard. Through seven games, Mills is averaging 16 ppg, 4.4 apg, and 2.1 spg. Junior Forward Diamon Simpson is just shy of a double-double every night at 13.0 / 9.6. Also, nearly every person on the roster can hit from the outside. Eight players are averaging over 33% from beyond the arc.
For the Salukis... Matt Shaw and Randal Falker will have to show up on the same night. The Clark Kent and Superman routine is wearing thin. Also, if Josh Bone takes 19 shots and misses 15 in back-to-back games, I'll shave my head. I just don't think it's possible for this team to remain cold much longer. Career percentages and plain logic dictate a rebound to form for the Salukis sometime soon. Maybe it will be Tuesday night.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Salukis Stay Cold, Lose Third Straight
It was the same old story for the Salukis on Saturday night - not enough offense. Poor shooting did in the Salukis who fell to 3-3 with their third straight loss.
Charlotte is a good team, but the Salukis wouldn't have been able to beat even a lesser opponent, shooting only 32% from the field. Also frustrating for Saluki fans who watched the game online (don't forget to cancel your subscription) were the frequent outages and the home announcer constantly complaining about the Salukis' fouling, even though the 49ers shot 15 more free throws than the Dawgs.
Randal Falker was held in check by the 49ers. Falker failed to score a single point and fouled out of the game with 2 minutes remaining. I'm not sure if it's possible for SIU to win without any contribution from the big fella.
Matt Shaw answered the bell for SIU scoring 20 points while pulling down 6 boards. Josh Bone attempted to play a bigger role, but his 13 points came on an atrocious 4 of 19 shooting.
Leemire Goldwire got off for the niners, connecting for 24 points and leading Charlotte to 71 total points for the game. Giving up 70+ is not a Floorburn U trademark so the offense is not the only problem for the Dawgs right now.
The Salukis don't have much time to fix their shooting woes. The undefeated St. Mary Gaels come to the SIU Arena Tuesday and they will likely be ranked in the top 25. SIU needs to start building their NCAA Tournament resume and Tuesday's game will be a huge opportunity to get back on track.
Charlotte is a good team, but the Salukis wouldn't have been able to beat even a lesser opponent, shooting only 32% from the field. Also frustrating for Saluki fans who watched the game online (don't forget to cancel your subscription) were the frequent outages and the home announcer constantly complaining about the Salukis' fouling, even though the 49ers shot 15 more free throws than the Dawgs.
Randal Falker was held in check by the 49ers. Falker failed to score a single point and fouled out of the game with 2 minutes remaining. I'm not sure if it's possible for SIU to win without any contribution from the big fella.
Matt Shaw answered the bell for SIU scoring 20 points while pulling down 6 boards. Josh Bone attempted to play a bigger role, but his 13 points came on an atrocious 4 of 19 shooting.
Leemire Goldwire got off for the niners, connecting for 24 points and leading Charlotte to 71 total points for the game. Giving up 70+ is not a Floorburn U trademark so the offense is not the only problem for the Dawgs right now.
The Salukis don't have much time to fix their shooting woes. The undefeated St. Mary Gaels come to the SIU Arena Tuesday and they will likely be ranked in the top 25. SIU needs to start building their NCAA Tournament resume and Tuesday's game will be a huge opportunity to get back on track.
Friday, December 07, 2007
You Stay Positive Southern Illinois
What's with all the negativity?
It's true... USC and Indiana have shown the rest of the nation how to expose the weaknesses of this year's Salukis. To spin that positively, the Salukis now understand what they have to change in order to run with the big dogs this season. Heck, they might have even done the Salukis a favor.
It's true... the rest of the non-conference schedule is filled with tournament bound teams and is the toughest in school history. For a team that is adjusting to new roles, what more could you ask for than to be tested every night? Sounds like a string of opportunities to correct a few things and get stronger as a unit, which will equal more wins down the road.
It's true... these teams have seen the tape. They'll be doubling down on Falker, packing the lane, and trying to get the Dawgs into a transition game. What's new about that concept? It sounds like the same game plan that every team already had drawn up before the season. If a couple of pivotal shots had dropped last Saturday, this picture would seem a whole lot brighter.
On to Charlotte... this Saturday at 6:05 CST the Salukis will take the court against a battle tested 49ers line-up, coming off of a big win over Davidson. Here are some keys to the game:
Make the offense come from somebody other than Leemire Goldwire. He's a 5'11" gunner that is averaging 20.4 ppg and taking over 1/4 of the team's shots. Obviously, he's the guy that the Dawgs will have to shut down.
Matt Shaw and Randal Falker have to total 30 points. This really is a standard for every game. Falker is doing his part thus far and Shaw will be seeing more time at the "4" where he is more accustomed to playing. Over the course of the last two seasons, the team is undefeated when Shaw scores 15 and pulls down 6 rebounds.
This team has to believe in itself. I've been seeing a lot of horrendous body-language lately. Time to shake it off. Even with the last two lackluster performances, the defense is still only allowing 57.0 ppg and these guys are still enrolled in classes at Floorburn U. Get to a few 50/50 balls, make a couple of hustle plays, and the swagger will come right back.
It's true... USC and Indiana have shown the rest of the nation how to expose the weaknesses of this year's Salukis. To spin that positively, the Salukis now understand what they have to change in order to run with the big dogs this season. Heck, they might have even done the Salukis a favor.
It's true... the rest of the non-conference schedule is filled with tournament bound teams and is the toughest in school history. For a team that is adjusting to new roles, what more could you ask for than to be tested every night? Sounds like a string of opportunities to correct a few things and get stronger as a unit, which will equal more wins down the road.
It's true... these teams have seen the tape. They'll be doubling down on Falker, packing the lane, and trying to get the Dawgs into a transition game. What's new about that concept? It sounds like the same game plan that every team already had drawn up before the season. If a couple of pivotal shots had dropped last Saturday, this picture would seem a whole lot brighter.
On to Charlotte... this Saturday at 6:05 CST the Salukis will take the court against a battle tested 49ers line-up, coming off of a big win over Davidson. Here are some keys to the game:
Make the offense come from somebody other than Leemire Goldwire. He's a 5'11" gunner that is averaging 20.4 ppg and taking over 1/4 of the team's shots. Obviously, he's the guy that the Dawgs will have to shut down.
Matt Shaw and Randal Falker have to total 30 points. This really is a standard for every game. Falker is doing his part thus far and Shaw will be seeing more time at the "4" where he is more accustomed to playing. Over the course of the last two seasons, the team is undefeated when Shaw scores 15 and pulls down 6 rebounds.
This team has to believe in itself. I've been seeing a lot of horrendous body-language lately. Time to shake it off. Even with the last two lackluster performances, the defense is still only allowing 57.0 ppg and these guys are still enrolled in classes at Floorburn U. Get to a few 50/50 balls, make a couple of hustle plays, and the swagger will come right back.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Salukis Regroup, Prepare for Charlotte
Coming off of consecutive losses the Salukis continue their grueling non-conference schedule with a trip to Charlotte this week. The 49ers are riding high after a win against Wake Forest and will host Davidson on Wednesday night. Looks like the Niners aren't afraid of a little competition either.
There's not much left to say about the last two losses. Southern didn't hit open shots against Indiana and that's a big reason why they lost... sometimes it's just that simple. The good news is this team has some very talented offensive players and guys like Matt Shaw and Josh Bone will bounce right back.
USC and Indiana are top flight teams so dropping a couple of game to these teams in November won't matter much when the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee makes their picks in March. What is important is how this team responds to adversity and in that regard we will find out a lot about this team on Saturday.
Over at the TheSouthern.com Robert Crow notes the Salukis aren't doing the 'Small Things'.
On the Daily Egyptian's website Sean McGahan writes 'Floorburn U' needs a makeover.
You can sound off on your thoughts about the Charlotte game at SalukiTalk in the Official Charlotte Pregame Thread.
Saturday's game isn't televised locally but for $4.95 you can watch it online. Just remember to cancel your subscription after the game.
Finally, check out the new "Second Nature" commercial featuring Bryan Mullins
There's not much left to say about the last two losses. Southern didn't hit open shots against Indiana and that's a big reason why they lost... sometimes it's just that simple. The good news is this team has some very talented offensive players and guys like Matt Shaw and Josh Bone will bounce right back.
USC and Indiana are top flight teams so dropping a couple of game to these teams in November won't matter much when the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee makes their picks in March. What is important is how this team responds to adversity and in that regard we will find out a lot about this team on Saturday.
Over at the TheSouthern.com Robert Crow notes the Salukis aren't doing the 'Small Things'.
On the Daily Egyptian's website Sean McGahan writes 'Floorburn U' needs a makeover.
You can sound off on your thoughts about the Charlotte game at SalukiTalk in the Official Charlotte Pregame Thread.
Saturday's game isn't televised locally but for $4.95 you can watch it online. Just remember to cancel your subscription after the game.
Finally, check out the new "Second Nature" commercial featuring Bryan Mullins
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Hoosiers Squash Dawgs
The woeful 64-51 drubbing dished out by the Indiana Hoosiers over the SIU Salukis at Carbondale Saturday night was even more gruesome than the 13 point margin of victory might indicate. It wasn't that close. Indiana's multi-talented squad shrugged off the fanatic Saluki defense and defied the roaring capacity crowd to win with assurance.
Southern matched Indiana point for point for the first 15 minutes, but could not make enough of a run to get any daylight. Meanwhile IU's sensational freshman guard Eric Gordon was able to float beyond the reach of the thrashing and gnashing Saluki defenders to net perfect jump shots.
Big time talent D.J. White (6-9, 251) and his coterie of "Bruiser Hoosiers" were on their way to recording a 35-24 game's edge over the Dawgs on the glass. Indiana shot well under pressure throughout the contest, while SIU was glacially cold, going an abysmal 1-14 (.071) from outside the arc. ( Matt Shaw's trey in the closing minutes saved the Dawgs from the aggravation of not making one all evening.)
Down 34-25 with six seconds left in the half, Southern's Bryan Mullins flailed past a crowd of defenders and banked one in from a radical angle. Although he added a free throw, the Salukis went scowling off the court down six. Improvement was not forthcoming the the final 20 minutes.
Indiana continued to shun set offensive plays and thrived on driving and shooting outside. They ganged up on SIU's Randal Falker in the low post and dared the Dawgs to score.
Word of the USC debacle had obviously reached Bloomington.
The sounds of buses at Butler, St. Mary's, Western Kentucky, and elsewhere revving their motors.....destination Carbondale, are being heard in the distance. Coaches with the same game plan clamped on their clipboards are climbing on board. Attention: Chris Lowery.
Indiana had four men in double figures, including Gordon (22), Armon Bassett (12), Jamarcus Ellis (11) and White, (10). White had 12 boards and Ellis 10 . Randal Falker had 12 points for SIU, while Shaw and Mullins added 9. Falker snared 7 rebounds.
Southern goes on the road to tangle with Charlotte next Saturday, Dec. 8
While better days are certainly ahead for the hoopster Dawgs, here's a tip of the cap to Coach Jerry Kill's football squad. Their 34-27 win Saturday afternoon over UMass brings Delaware calling at the Mac next weekend. An SIU win then would vault the Salukis into the division title game at Chattanooga.
THAT'S TONIGHT'S VIEW FROM ROW TWO
Southern matched Indiana point for point for the first 15 minutes, but could not make enough of a run to get any daylight. Meanwhile IU's sensational freshman guard Eric Gordon was able to float beyond the reach of the thrashing and gnashing Saluki defenders to net perfect jump shots.
Big time talent D.J. White (6-9, 251) and his coterie of "Bruiser Hoosiers" were on their way to recording a 35-24 game's edge over the Dawgs on the glass. Indiana shot well under pressure throughout the contest, while SIU was glacially cold, going an abysmal 1-14 (.071) from outside the arc. ( Matt Shaw's trey in the closing minutes saved the Dawgs from the aggravation of not making one all evening.)
Down 34-25 with six seconds left in the half, Southern's Bryan Mullins flailed past a crowd of defenders and banked one in from a radical angle. Although he added a free throw, the Salukis went scowling off the court down six. Improvement was not forthcoming the the final 20 minutes.
Indiana continued to shun set offensive plays and thrived on driving and shooting outside. They ganged up on SIU's Randal Falker in the low post and dared the Dawgs to score.
Word of the USC debacle had obviously reached Bloomington.
The sounds of buses at Butler, St. Mary's, Western Kentucky, and elsewhere revving their motors.....destination Carbondale, are being heard in the distance. Coaches with the same game plan clamped on their clipboards are climbing on board. Attention: Chris Lowery.
Indiana had four men in double figures, including Gordon (22), Armon Bassett (12), Jamarcus Ellis (11) and White, (10). White had 12 boards and Ellis 10 . Randal Falker had 12 points for SIU, while Shaw and Mullins added 9. Falker snared 7 rebounds.
Southern goes on the road to tangle with Charlotte next Saturday, Dec. 8
While better days are certainly ahead for the hoopster Dawgs, here's a tip of the cap to Coach Jerry Kill's football squad. Their 34-27 win Saturday afternoon over UMass brings Delaware calling at the Mac next weekend. An SIU win then would vault the Salukis into the division title game at Chattanooga.
THAT'S TONIGHT'S VIEW FROM ROW TWO
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