There's no such thing as magic

Over the past few seasons I've often mentioned "arena magic" on this blog. Tonight vs UNI, I realized there's no such thing as magic.

The truth is the Saluki teams over the past few seasons won home games because they played outstanding defense and finished off opponents with authority. This Saluki squad hasn't shown the ability to consistently accomplish either of those tasks, and that's why they're losing games.

Here are some notes as the Salukis fall to 0-2 in MVC play.

-Kevin Dillard was the lone bright spot vs UNI. 16 points, and 5 assists. The kid can flat out play.

-Carlton Fay had 12 points on 5 of 8 shooting. That's not a bad night, but I'd still like to see Fay take a bigger role in the offense. He has the potential to be a scoring machine.

-The Salukis beat the Panthers into bonus in the second half, then failed to get to the foul line and capitalize. Taking the ball to the basket and getting to the foul line would have given the team a great chance to win.

-UNI is not a great team, and they shot 48% vs the Salukis. This was a direct result of the Salukis not closing out the shooters on defense. The defensive rotations were slow and the Panthers got lots of good looks as a result.

-This was a game that the Salukis should have won. Improvements must be made if the Dawgs are to avoid playing a Thursday night game in the MVC Tournament.

MVC game #1- Salukis lose another road game

After losing to Bradley, the Salukis are now 1-6 away from SIU Arena. It's always difficult to win on the road, but this team isn't showing any signs of life away from SIU Arena.

Often times this year we've heard the word "patience" in reference to the youth movement on this Saluki team. However, the older players must help to bridge the gap by showing the young guys how to win. That didn't happen today.

The bright spots in this game were Bryan Mullins and Kevin Dillard. Those two guards combined to score 32 points, accouting for over 50% of the teams offense. That alone is great production from the guard spot but the Dawgs need the big guys to get into the act as well.

Carlton Fay has to fill that void by becoming a #1 type scoring option for SIU. Fay had his 3rd straight lackluster performance vs Bradley, scoring only 7 points in 19 minutes. We know he's capable of more, he started the season on a scoring spree, showing off a lighting quick trigger and range from deep.

The Salukis have won only one game (vs NIU) this season when Fay has failed to score double digits. Carlton has to be more involved in the offense if the Salukis are going to finish above .500 in the Valley.

Notes from SIU/Western Michigan

Kevin Dillard, Wesley Clemmons, and Bryan Mullins all got into a groove at the same time against Western Michigan, as the trio of guards were able to help the Salukis avoid another second half slump.

With the game tied at 29-29 in the second half, Wes hit back-to-back 3's (and just missed a 3rd one) then Dillard knocked down back-to-back 3's of his own on assists from Mullins.

Justin Bocot stepped up as well, playing 16 minutes and hitting 3 of 6 for 6 points while showing good progress on 'D'.

The increased faith in Bocot and Dillard allowed Lowery to play a lineup of all first year players during a stretch late in the second half.

Dillard, Bocot, Roundtree, Booker, and Evans composed the "first year five" that provided quality minutes while Mullins, Clemmons, and Boyle got a quick rest before returning for the stretch run.

So that wraps up the non-conference season (with the exception of bracket buster later this year) and the Salukis are 5-6 heading into conference play.

Somehow I think I'd feel much better if the team was 6-5, with the only difference being the home loss to Charlotte. Those are the types of games the Salukis will have to win at home to finish towards the top of the MVC. On the road in this conference, nothing comes easy. The Dawgs will face their first MVC road test vs Bradley on Sunday, in a game that will be a good indication of whether or not SIU can be a contender in the Valley.

Salukis Smacked Around By Gaels

The first twenty minutes of tonight's game were uniformly positive for the Salukis and it appeared that the heavily favored St. Mary's Gaels would be put to the test. SIU led by as many as 9 in the first half and carried a 31-27 lead into the intermission.

However, the second twenty minutes was an absolute mess. The Salukis came out flat and St. Mary's hit on all cylinders. The final deficit was thirteen points, 65-52, but the issue was never in doubt. The Gaels were up by as many as 22 in the second half.

As bad as that sounds, there were still some bright spots for the Salukis. Ryan Hare finished with 14 points and Kevin Dillard was en route to a big game until foul trouble landed him on the bench late in the first half.

The rest was middling at best. St. Mary's struggled from the field (39%), but they managed to rack up 22 points from the line. Patrick Mills was limited to 5 pts in the first half, but picked it up and finished with 16.

After an implosion of this magnitude, fingers could be pointed, but this was a team loss. Collectively, there was a 10 minute scoring drought in the second half and the Salukis shot just 27% from the floor. On the glass, SIU was outrebounded by 15 tonight.

The bottom line... St. Mary's was a superior basketball team and this was a comprehensive defeat. This team has got to play 40 minutes of basketball. Plenty of potential remains for this season and I am optimistic, but tonight was a very tough loss.

Notes from the SIU/NIU matchup

It was nice for Dillard, Hare, and Mullins to get to play a "home game" in the Chicago area.

For Bryan Mullins' family and friends it was just a short trip west on I-88 to see the senior from Downers Grove put on a ball handling clinic in DeKalb.

SIU has such a strong Alumni base in the northern part of the state, it only makes sense for the Dawgs to take their show on the road for the upstate fans at least once each year. While NIU isn't the best of opponents, the Salukis were in desperate need of any road win they could get.

In future seasons a matchup with DePaul might prove to be more beneficial, but for this year a game against less than stellar competition was just what the doctor ordered.

NIU Head Coach Ricardo Patton would like to get another crack at the Salukis even though he acknowledges that the two programs aren't on the same level competitively. "We saw where each of the programs stands at this point. My only wish is that we continue the series (against SIU)."

The Salukis were able to get out in transition against the Huskies, and for the first time in weeks, Kevin Dillard seemed to find his MoJo.

Pushing the ball and keeping the intensity was not a problem for Lowery, who shuffled all 11 guys into the rotation. Each time the Huskies tried to get back into the game someone stepped up and threw water on the fire by knocking down a jumper.

The Salukis were given easy looks at the basket all night and ended up shooing nearly 60% from the floor. While it's a positive sign that these young Dawgs are capable of lighting up the scoreboard its also important to remember that their Huskie counterparts just weren't very good.

photo credit- SIU sports information dept.

Nevada Knockout- Salukis fall out West

While it wasn't exactly a prize fight the Salukis were able to trade punches with the Wolfpack until a scoreless drought in the last 4+ minutes of the game left them on the canvas for good.

Offensive identity is now a serious concern for the Dawgs, who never got over the hump after a 9 minute scoreless stretch early in the second half.

Mullins, Fay, and Boyle all pitched in on offense with double digit output, but Clemmons, Hare, Dillard, and Roundtree combined to score only 5 points in 77 minutes of play. Finding a way to fix these offensive woes will be Lowery's biggest challenge of this season, and quite possibly of his career.

Northern Illinois is next and while it is a road game, it's still a game the team needs to win if they're going to turn this season around.

Where are they now? Shaw, Falker, and Tatum

With the current Saluki squad out of action this week for final exams, it's a good time to check in on three recent Salukis who are now playing for a paycheck.

Matt Shaw- U.B. La Palma (Spain)

Shaw is playing in the Spanish League, averaging 7.2 points per game for U.B. La Palma. He posted season high 16 points, hitting 3 of 3 from downtown on November 14th.

Unfortunately, he's been sidelined due to injury since November 22nd. The La Palma team blog indicates that it's a back injury and that he has received an MRI, but it's unclear exactly how long he'll be out. The good news is that Shaw has established himself as a valuable player for La Palma so he should be able to continue a pro career if he chooses to do so.

Randal Falker- Cholet (France)

First off Randal writes a personal blog that you've gotta check out. In his blog posts he talks about his trip to France (and getting lost when he got there), cultural differences, and the day he realized that basketball had become a "job". Those who had a chance to meet Randal know he's an entertaining and happy go lucky guy, which shows through in his blog.

Falker's team Cholet Basket, is currently in 14th place (out of 16 teams), but he's been able to contribute with an average of 7 points and 7 boards. Falker was voted team MVP for the month of October.

Jamaal Tatum- Idaho Stampede

Tatum, who also has his own website, signed a non-guaranteed NBA contract with Portland back in August but didn't make the final cut. Now Tatum is playing in the NBA Developmental league with the Blazers affiliated team, the Idaho Stampede.

JT is coming off the bench for the Stampede but he's still playing 30 minutes a game and averaging 16 points. After missing all of last season with an ankle injury, he will continue to develop his point guard skills and hope for a shot on an NBA roster.

Dawgs Kayoed Late

Two free throws by An'Juan Wilderness, plus six second half threes by Ian Andersen vaulted the Charlotte 49ers over SIU 66-64 on Saturday at the Arena.

The game was similar to a dock brawl throughout. Them most furious combat took place around the blocks with Tony Boyle, and wingman Carlton Fay taking on all comers. The 49ers Charlie Coley III and sidekicks Lamont Mack, Wilderness and others waded in with gusto.

Boyle closed for the Dawgs with a double double, (13 pts. and 12 rebs.) and Fay piled up 12 and 6. Meanwhile, Bryan Mullins added 13 pts. and Wes Clemmons sizzled home 12 on four threes. All nine Dawgs who played scored.

Charlotte was smarting from six consecutive reverses and so arrived revved up for action. The Niners were able to shoulder their way past Saluki perimeter defenders and push short passes into the lane for 5 footers.

Although the Salukis stalled LaMont Mack with just 2 pts, Ian Anderen bounded off the bench to get 18 on 6 threes, as Wilderness added 17.

The contest was knotted 11 times and there were eight lead changes.

Bryan Mullins was everywhere at once. A camera isolated on him in real time would have looked like it was jammed on fast forward. Regretably, when Mullins was in foul trouble or getting a breather, the Dawgs struggled against multiple Niners defenses.

Southern led 32-31 at half, and had a 62-58 lead with just over 2 minutes remaining. Charlotte soon drew even on Andersen's final three. With 23 sec. left the Niners again took possession.
A whistle screamed and Wilderness cooly plopped the winning free throws through the cords.

Still...... the clock glared 0:04. The crowd stood.......

Unfortunately, the Dawgs botched the inbound play as time evaporated.

Next up for the Salukis (3-4) is a Sun. Dec. 14 road game at Nevada at 5:05 CST.

Photo Credit- SIU sports information dept

Carolina Storm Warning

If the SIU Arena has any windows, somebody better board em up quick.

The Charlotte 49ers blow into town this afternoon. They're hungry to break a six game skid, and have a 6-1 record, all time against the Salukis.

The 49'ers (1-6) opened with a win over UNC Greensboro. Since then they've lost one game by 1, two by 2 and one in overtime. Coach Bobby Lutz has a 3-1 career mark against Southern including a rare win at the Arena on Jan. 2, 2004. That's only one of five SIU home defeats in the last 101 contests.

Last year Charlotte smacked the Dawgs around 71-56, including a 20-0 mid-game run.

This year's 49ers figure to get back on track pretty soon. They aim to start today.

Charlotte features a pair of 6-7 senior forwards, Charlie Coley III and Lamont Mack. Mack's the team's leading scorer (12.4) and Coley is the top rebounder (6.6) . He nabbed 11 against both Clemson and Arizona State. Rim punishing dunks are CC's specialty. 6-6 Soph. forward An'Jaun Wilderness (9.9, 3.7 boards) will also be a factor below the blocks.

The Niner attack is balanced. Seven different men have already posted double figures on offense and six have lead the squad in scoring.

Charlotte's reserves contribute over 20 points a game and posted 33 vs. Clemson. Sixth man Ian Anderson, a 6-4 Jr. guard, leads with 10.4

The 49ers have averaged over eight steals a game. Chief culprit: 5-9 Jr. guard DiJuan Harris.

Coach Chris Lowery's team showed marked effectiveness on the defensive end vs. SLU. SIU will look to play with control and keep the game in the 60's. The Salukis have the personnel to match Charlotte. Big versus big will be the difference.

When Duke had 40 made free throws Southern sagged. SIU's 27-31 at the line sank St. Louis. So we'll go with the stat line for free throws as the determiner today in a close one.

SIU 69 Charlotte 67.

Game time is 1:05.

SOUTHERN SENDS BILLS PACKING

St. Louis University coach Rick Majerus had heard all about SIU's trademark defensive intensity. He'd heard about the hustle, the sound positioning and layers of coverage. He heard it was all a memory.

But he heard wrong.

Southern pounced on SLU and dished out a 64-48 setback on Tuesday night. The win, which squared the SIU record at 3-3 , was proof the Dawgs are starting to comprehend the "Lowery Doctrine" of 40 minutes of manic defense.

So thoroughly bewildered were the visiting Billikens by the speeding Salukis that they were stuck on 2 on the scoreboard after more than nine minutes into the contest.

While the Southern defense was holding sway, Lowery craftily used his reserves to good advantage. SIU's subs outscored SLU's 30-9 on the night. In fact, senior guard Brian Mullins commented that it really didn't make much difference which five men SIU had out there at any one time.

Carlton Fay led the Dawgs with 17, including a perfect 12 for 12 at the line. Kevin Dillard had nine off the bench, followed by Christian Cornelius (7) and Wes Clemmons (6).

Southern led 24-16 at intermission, but the Bills crept to within 24-20 in the early going of the second half. From there on out it was all Salukis. Southern led by 23 at one point partially propelled by a 27 for 31 (.871) performance from the free throw line.

Senior guards Kevin Lisch (13) and Tommie Liddell III (12) paced the Billikens who dropped to 2-4 on the year.

SIU posted a 30-24 edge on the boards. Fay had 6 for Southern while Liddell III led SLU with 5.

Snapshot highlights of the night: 1.) Wesley Clemmons buzzer beater to end the first half. 2). Kevin Dillard's laser pass for an assist 3) Christian Cornelius' slick drive for a left handed lay-up 4.) Three Dawg pileup at midcourt pursuing loose ball.

Next up for the Salukis: Charlotte comes calling at the Arena on Saturday for a 1:05 game.

That's tonight's VIEW FROM ROW TWO.

Photo Credit- SIU sports information dept