The Salukis will take a break from Missouri Valley Conference action this Saturday when the Nevada Wolfpack come to town as part of the O'Reilly ESPNU BracketBusters. This will be the first meeting between these two perennially successful mid-major programs since 1965, but regardless of the outcome, their will be a rematch in Reno next season.
The Wolfpack return just one starter from a school record 29-win 2006-07 lineup that won the WAC and went to the Big Dance for the 4th consecutive season. Over that four year span, Nevada topped 25 wins each season and went undefeated in BracketBusters contests with victories over Toledo, Vermont, Akron and Northern Iowa.
Saturday's trip to the SIU Arena will be the first time the Wolfpack have traveled for this event and they have compiled a 6-7 mark away from the Lawler Events Center in Reno this season. Overall... Nevada (17-9 , 9-4) is currently 3rd in the WAC, but just a single game behind Boise State and New Mexico State in the loss column. With an RPI of 72 and a woeful 1-7 record against the top 100, the Wolfpack are in dire need of a quality victory.
With four players averaging in double figures, this lineup can be dangerous. Marcellus Kemp is a 6th year swingman that is averaging over 20 ppg and looks to be headed to the NBA next year. JaVale McGee is a 7'0" sophomore forward that has notched six double-doubles this season and hit 4 of 5 from beyond the arc in the last two games. In the backcourt, a pair of underclassmen, Brandon Fields and Armon Johnson, combine for just under 25 ppg and Johnson has tallied four 20-point performances, including 23 against then #1 North Carolina. Off the bench, David Ellis is a 7'1" freshman center that averages 15 mpg, but only 3 ppg. Collectively, the Wolfpack average 75 ppg and their size has led to a +3 margin on the glass, but it doesn't limit opportunities for decent looks on the offensive end; opponents are averaging 70 ppg on the season.
The Salukis are playing their best basketball of the year right now and a win on Saturday would keep the momentum rolling into the final two Valley contests next week. Tip-off is at 3:30 and tickets are still available.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Shaw drops 23 on UNI, Salukis blow out Panthers
Matt Shaw came out hot and never cooled off hitting 8 of 9 shots including a perfect 4 of 4 from 3 point land en route to a 23 point 9 rebound performance. Southern parlayed Shaw's huge night and Bryan Mullins 13 points and 7 assists into a 20 point victory.
Shaw's hot shooting seemed to be contagious as the team shot 55% from the field. Shaw looked confident from the jump and after the game he acknowledged it. "Everybody felt like any shot they took was going to fall," said Shaw.
Randal Falker did a nice job in this game but it didn't necessarily show in the his stat line. Falker had just 6 points due to constant double teams by the Panthers. Passing out of those double teams allowed the Salukis to get better shots on the perimeter and the Dawgs cashed in - hitting an impressive 12 of 20 (60%) shots from downtown. After the game UNI head coach Ben Jacobson responded to the Salukis success on offense. "We tried to make it tough for them down low, but Shaw and Mullins made us pay," said Jacobson.
Southern also played smart defensively, holding UNI to 47 points and the Panthers only got to the free throw line 3 times all night. Southern's defense in the post was air tight and they held Eric Coleman to an anemic 2 points and 3 rebounds.
Local product Lucas O'Rear played 23 minutes and chipped in 8 points for the Panthers. O'Rear played with an aggressive, physical style and he was whistled for 4 fouls in his homecoming to Southern Illinois. Jacobson was pleased with the play of the freshman from Nashville. "He's going to have a great career. He's been injured but now he's as healthy as he's been all year," said Jacobson.
Overall, it was a nice win for the Salukis but the upcoming schedule presents its fair share of challenges. After the home BracketBuster game on Saturday the Salukis play a red-hot Bradley team on the road and then draw second place Illinois State to finish off the Valley regular season.
It's no secret that the Salukis are playing better of late and the next 3 games will be key for the Dawgs heading into Arch Madness.
Shaw's hot shooting seemed to be contagious as the team shot 55% from the field. Shaw looked confident from the jump and after the game he acknowledged it. "Everybody felt like any shot they took was going to fall," said Shaw.
Randal Falker did a nice job in this game but it didn't necessarily show in the his stat line. Falker had just 6 points due to constant double teams by the Panthers. Passing out of those double teams allowed the Salukis to get better shots on the perimeter and the Dawgs cashed in - hitting an impressive 12 of 20 (60%) shots from downtown. After the game UNI head coach Ben Jacobson responded to the Salukis success on offense. "We tried to make it tough for them down low, but Shaw and Mullins made us pay," said Jacobson.
Southern also played smart defensively, holding UNI to 47 points and the Panthers only got to the free throw line 3 times all night. Southern's defense in the post was air tight and they held Eric Coleman to an anemic 2 points and 3 rebounds.
Local product Lucas O'Rear played 23 minutes and chipped in 8 points for the Panthers. O'Rear played with an aggressive, physical style and he was whistled for 4 fouls in his homecoming to Southern Illinois. Jacobson was pleased with the play of the freshman from Nashville. "He's going to have a great career. He's been injured but now he's as healthy as he's been all year," said Jacobson.
Overall, it was a nice win for the Salukis but the upcoming schedule presents its fair share of challenges. After the home BracketBuster game on Saturday the Salukis play a red-hot Bradley team on the road and then draw second place Illinois State to finish off the Valley regular season.
It's no secret that the Salukis are playing better of late and the next 3 games will be key for the Dawgs heading into Arch Madness.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Third place Salukis look to hold court
The Salukis are all alone in third place and they will try to run the table in the conference and move into second place. The difference between 2nd and 3rd is significant because the Salukis would be matched up with a "play in" team in the first round if they can move into second. If anyone is wondering about the tie-break system in the MVC you can find more information about it here. Southern's win over Drake would be huge in any tie-break situation.
Southern's next opponent, Northern Iowa, is in dire need of a victory to stay out of the bottom tier of the MVC. UNI is currently tied with Indiana State for 6th place.
The Panthers are 5-6 on the road this season but they don't have any overly impressive wins and are sporting an RPI of 125. Just as the Salukis have had problems in Cedar Falls the Panthers are struggling in Carbondale, the Salukis have won 10 straight meetings at SIU Arena.
These two teams are fairly even on paper, both average about 63 points a game and both give up just a little less than that. Northern Iowa does have an interesting stat- they are #1 in the Valley in defensive rebounds and almost last on the offensive boards.
The key match up in the game will be Randal Falker vs Eric Coleman. It seems like these two big men have been battling since the Rich Herrin days and this could very well be the last head to head battle for the senior big men. If Falker can get the edge against Coleman the Salukis will have a great chance to continue their home court dominance in the Valley.
Southern's next opponent, Northern Iowa, is in dire need of a victory to stay out of the bottom tier of the MVC. UNI is currently tied with Indiana State for 6th place.
The Panthers are 5-6 on the road this season but they don't have any overly impressive wins and are sporting an RPI of 125. Just as the Salukis have had problems in Cedar Falls the Panthers are struggling in Carbondale, the Salukis have won 10 straight meetings at SIU Arena.
These two teams are fairly even on paper, both average about 63 points a game and both give up just a little less than that. Northern Iowa does have an interesting stat- they are #1 in the Valley in defensive rebounds and almost last on the offensive boards.
The key match up in the game will be Randal Falker vs Eric Coleman. It seems like these two big men have been battling since the Rich Herrin days and this could very well be the last head to head battle for the senior big men. If Falker can get the edge against Coleman the Salukis will have a great chance to continue their home court dominance in the Valley.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Road Win!
The Salukis used a gutsy performance by junior PG Bryan Mullins to get their second road win of the season.
Mullins silenced critics who claim he doesn't look for his shot enough by stepping up and hitting 5 threes, including a flurry of buckets that brought the Salukis back from 10 points down in the final 7 minutes of regulation.
Joshua Bone was also feeling it tonight, hitting 4 of 8 from downtown. When Bone and Mullins are lighting it up from deep the Salukis are tough to stop.
Randal Falker was hampered by a sprained ankle but still managed 14 points and 13 boards. Those who have followed Falker's career might be most impressed by his 8 of 11 performance from the foul line.
Speaking of free throw shooting let's give credit where credit is due - Tyrone Green iced this game with clutch free throws in overtime. All of a sudden Green is an 80% free throw shooter.
The Shockers got a career night from Matt Braeuer, whose 23 points would have been enough if he would have gotten support from his teammates. Aside from Braeuer's red hot 10 of 17 shooting, the rest of the Shockers combined to shoot a dreadful 28% from the floor.
SIU has 2 home games remaining vs UNI and Illinois State and if they win those games they will have at least one win against every team in the conference. The only remaining road game is against the streaking Bradley Braves. Bradley beat Creighton by nearly 30 points on Saturday, but starting guard Andrew Warren suffered a broken hand in the victory.
The Salukis now control their own destiny. If they win their 3 remaining Valley contests they will have the inside track at the #2 spot in the Valley.
Mullins silenced critics who claim he doesn't look for his shot enough by stepping up and hitting 5 threes, including a flurry of buckets that brought the Salukis back from 10 points down in the final 7 minutes of regulation.
Joshua Bone was also feeling it tonight, hitting 4 of 8 from downtown. When Bone and Mullins are lighting it up from deep the Salukis are tough to stop.
Randal Falker was hampered by a sprained ankle but still managed 14 points and 13 boards. Those who have followed Falker's career might be most impressed by his 8 of 11 performance from the foul line.
Speaking of free throw shooting let's give credit where credit is due - Tyrone Green iced this game with clutch free throws in overtime. All of a sudden Green is an 80% free throw shooter.
The Shockers got a career night from Matt Braeuer, whose 23 points would have been enough if he would have gotten support from his teammates. Aside from Braeuer's red hot 10 of 17 shooting, the rest of the Shockers combined to shoot a dreadful 28% from the floor.
SIU has 2 home games remaining vs UNI and Illinois State and if they win those games they will have at least one win against every team in the conference. The only remaining road game is against the streaking Bradley Braves. Bradley beat Creighton by nearly 30 points on Saturday, but starting guard Andrew Warren suffered a broken hand in the victory.
The Salukis now control their own destiny. If they win their 3 remaining Valley contests they will have the inside track at the #2 spot in the Valley.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Perfect no more, Southern bests Drake
The Salukis ended the second longest winning streak in the nation at 21 games and spoiled a bid for perfection in the Valley by upsetting the 14th ranked Drake Bulldogs 65- 62 at the Arena tonight.
Randal Falker led the way with 13 points and 10 boards for SIU and Josh Young tallied 17 for Drake.
SIU carried a 39-36 lead into the lockers at halftime and opened that lead up to 53-43 after intermission. An 11-2 Drake run closed the gap and the issue remained in doubt until Leonard Houston's 3-pt attempt caught iron as the buzzer sounded and the crowd roared.
Nothing but poise and confidence from the Salukis tonight. They avoided the foul trouble (only 13 FT's allowed), excessive turnovers (14), and poor shooting (50% from the floor) that have plagued the team all season. They even got off to a quick start by scoring the first 7 points and closed out a tight game with foul shots.
The win moves SIU to 8-6 in MVC play and into a 3rd place tie with the Creighton Bluejays, who lost tonight at Evansville. As for Drake, now 13-1, the Bulldogs' magic number stands at 1 and their next opportunity to cut the nets down comes on Saturday in Cedar Falls.
Randal Falker led the way with 13 points and 10 boards for SIU and Josh Young tallied 17 for Drake.
SIU carried a 39-36 lead into the lockers at halftime and opened that lead up to 53-43 after intermission. An 11-2 Drake run closed the gap and the issue remained in doubt until Leonard Houston's 3-pt attempt caught iron as the buzzer sounded and the crowd roared.
Nothing but poise and confidence from the Salukis tonight. They avoided the foul trouble (only 13 FT's allowed), excessive turnovers (14), and poor shooting (50% from the floor) that have plagued the team all season. They even got off to a quick start by scoring the first 7 points and closed out a tight game with foul shots.
The win moves SIU to 8-6 in MVC play and into a 3rd place tie with the Creighton Bluejays, who lost tonight at Evansville. As for Drake, now 13-1, the Bulldogs' magic number stands at 1 and their next opportunity to cut the nets down comes on Saturday in Cedar Falls.
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