Update- 9-1-2008, Kelly is heading to Miami, OH. This is a good pull for the RedHawks. Speaking of Miami, OH they may make sense as a future opponent for the Salukis. Last season the RedHawks finished with an RPI of 73, the Salukis finished with an RPI of 62.How important is coaching continuity to recruiting? 6-7 forward Drew Kelly was on his way to Western Kentucky before their coach, Darrin Horn, departed for South Carolina. "I would have gone there for sure" said Kelly. As of right now Kelly doesn't have an offer from the new WKU staff and Horn doesn't have a scholarship open for him and South Carolina.
What does that mean for the Salukis? With Tony Boyle scheduled to graduate after this season, the Dawgs have a strong need for a big man to compliment Booker, Fay, and Evans. Unfortunately the '09 class for big men is not particularly deep. While it appears that Mike Broghammer is heading elsewhere Kelly could fill a need the Salukis while giving himself a good opportunity to play right away on a winning team.
A two sport athlete from Franklin, Tennessee; Kelly also has football offers from Louisville, Vanderbilt, and Memphis but says he would prefer to play on the hardwood at the college level.
Kelly has said he likes SIU, but Miami of Ohio, Notre Dame and Iowa are also in pursuit. It's too early to tell if he'll choose Southern Illinois, but when you combine Kelly's strength in defense and rebounding with the Floorburn U style of play there's no doubt he'd look good in the Maroon and White.
