Saluki fans get ready. The long wait to see the Salukis in action will be over when SIU Arena hosts Maroon Madness on Oct 12th at 7pm. These midnight madness type practices are always fun for the fans and this year's event will feature a dunk contest and a 3 point contest before the team scrimmage.
In yet another sign that this program has arrived on a national stage, an ESPN camera crew will be on hand to film part of the practice and broadcast it as part of their college hoops tipoff programming. A few years ago it was a big deal to get a Saluki game on a major network now there are ESPN cameras at pre-season practice... not bad.
In other news, Single Game tickets go on sale October 3rd. Season ticket holders get first crack at seats during the presale but there will be additional tickets available to the general public October 9th. The hottest tickets will be Indiana, Butler, Creighton, and the Bracketbuster matchup. If you're interested in seeing these games in person you should plan on ordering tickets ASAP.
Former Saluki Jamaal Tatum has received interest from the Atlanta Hawks but they appear to be covered at the guard spot with Acie Law, Salim Stoudamire, Tyronn Lue, and Speedy Claxton. It would probably take an injury to one of these players for JT to make the team or perhaps the Hawks could decide to keep him over a veteran guy like Anthony Johnson. For right now I'll stick to my prediction from back in April... JT will outwork his opponents like he always does but at this level he will have to prove himself by being successful in the NBA developmental league first. Then if an NBA team has a need for a backup PG at sometime during the 07-08 season JT could end up getting the call.
Troy Hudson has wrapped up an interesting summer by signing with the Golden State Warriors. Hudson will assume the backup PG role behind the spectacular but often injured Baron Davis. Coach Don Nelsons fun and gun offensive style should be a nice fit for Hudson. The Warriors look like a playoff team and if Hudson performs well he could add a couple years to his career in the NBA.
UPDATE: Torres Roundtree has announced that he will be attending SIU next year. Back in July we mentioned that Roundtree would likely take a few campus tours and then decide that SIU was the place to be, and he did just that. The '08 recruiting class is already one of the best in the Country and Lowery might not be done yet... Finally, we'll leave you with some Torres Roundtree highlights.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
An eye towards November
This year will be the most exciting Saluki season ever. Not only is the team soaring, but the level of competition is nearly mountaintop level. Media attention alone will guarantee a mad scramble for seats in the Arena. Picture Vitale pontificating and waving his hands. Digger Phelps growling and leering out the side of his head. Makes a guy wanna rent that 200 dollar a day Dawg-head at the costume shop and toss a sleeping bag on the ground outside the building... in August.
It's like throwing a tidy little bash at your place and A-list celebs start showing up. Indiana? Er..uh..we beat 'em before at our place, and we're supposed to act like this is routine stuff. Heck, I'm not that jaded. This ought to be wild.
Meanwhile, with rock star names on the guest list, let's hope the Salukis are hurling those iron plates around daily. The same for the fans, the better to elbow other intense ticket-seekers outta the way at that tiny little ticket booth. The pavement there is sure to be a battleground. (woof-kidding).
Even now, with the humid haze of late summer hulking over Carbondale, Chris Lowery is planted in a big leather chair, scowling over a notepad... with X's boxing out O's in a mental rehearsal for the critical Creighton game...or is it Wichita...or ?
I can see it "like a vision" Ten thousand SIU fans lurching for the Arena exits, with their chins stained with crusted nacho cheese.. voices oddly gravelly from spasmodic screaming.., jabbering, "Man did you SEE that?"
You'll be there, right?
It's like throwing a tidy little bash at your place and A-list celebs start showing up. Indiana? Er..uh..we beat 'em before at our place, and we're supposed to act like this is routine stuff. Heck, I'm not that jaded. This ought to be wild.
Meanwhile, with rock star names on the guest list, let's hope the Salukis are hurling those iron plates around daily. The same for the fans, the better to elbow other intense ticket-seekers outta the way at that tiny little ticket booth. The pavement there is sure to be a battleground. (woof-kidding).
Even now, with the humid haze of late summer hulking over Carbondale, Chris Lowery is planted in a big leather chair, scowling over a notepad... with X's boxing out O's in a mental rehearsal for the critical Creighton game...or is it Wichita...or ?
I can see it "like a vision" Ten thousand SIU fans lurching for the Arena exits, with their chins stained with crusted nacho cheese.. voices oddly gravelly from spasmodic screaming.., jabbering, "Man did you SEE that?"
You'll be there, right?
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Saluki Way Funding Approved
The Carbondale city council voted 4-3 in favor of donating $20 Million over the next 20 years to fund Saluki Way.
Approximately $60 Million of the $80 Million needed is now accounted for. A project that once looked like a pipe dream now appears to be a reality.
This is great news for SIU as well as Saluki Basketball. SIU Arena is badly in need of updates and Saluki Way will provide funding to remodel the Arena. These renovations will help in recruiting and make the fan's experience a more pleasant one. Now the Salukis will have a facility that is appropriate for a top 25 basketball program.
Also included in Saluki Way is a new football stadium, increased parking, and state of the art academic facilities.
Here is the "Concept Design" for Saluki Way.
Approximately $60 Million of the $80 Million needed is now accounted for. A project that once looked like a pipe dream now appears to be a reality.
This is great news for SIU as well as Saluki Basketball. SIU Arena is badly in need of updates and Saluki Way will provide funding to remodel the Arena. These renovations will help in recruiting and make the fan's experience a more pleasant one. Now the Salukis will have a facility that is appropriate for a top 25 basketball program.
Also included in Saluki Way is a new football stadium, increased parking, and state of the art academic facilities.
Here is the "Concept Design" for Saluki Way.
Friday, August 10, 2007
2008 Saluki Recruits
There has been lots of talk about the 2008 Saluki recruiting class recently so let's take a look at what Chris Lowery has lined up for '08.
Justin Bocot- Bocot is an elite scorer who averaged 20 points a game his senior year in Bloomington. He had some difficulties in the classroom but was able to achieve an acceptable score on his ACT and is enrolled at SIU this year. Bocot has not been granted eligibility to play for the Salukis in 2007 but as long as everything goes well in the classroom he will step right into the guard rotation in 2008.
Anthony Booker- Booker has been tearing it up this summer and was recently named the #29 recruit in the Nation by scout.com. He is probably the highest ranked recruit in SIU history. Even with his recent accomplishments Booker has firmly stated he is not interested in going anywhere but SIU. I was able to watch Booker at SIU Arena this summer and he looks very polished. He has good footwork, a strong defensive presence, and a nice looking jump shot. Booker will be a superstar in the Valley.
Kevin Dillard- Also a top 150 recruit, Dillard is a true Point Guard who will get a chance to play one season with Brian Mullins before he takes the leading role as a sophomore in '09. Not only does Dillard have great handle, he can also stroke the three ball, making him a big time weapon for the Salukis.
Those three players alone would make a stellar recruiting class for any Valley team. Landing at least two top 150 recuits is nice for SIU especally considering the Illini have landed exactly zero players off that list... but the Salukis are not done yet. Chris Lowery is looking to bring in at least one and probably two more recruits for 2008. Lets take a look at some of these potential Salukis.
Torres Roundtree- Saluki fans- welcome to the world of big time recruiting. Torres Roundtree had originally given a verbal commitment to Chris Lowery and has now pulled back from that commitment. Dave Telep of scout.com estimates that 15 to 20 percent of the top 300 '08 recruits have "decommited" (Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News notes that this is not a real word).
My opinion on Roundtree is well documented on this site. He is going to be an outstanding college player and could have easily been on the top 150 list. When it's all said and done Roundtree could be considered as a four star recruit. He is currently making his rounds at USC and Missouri but I think there is a good chance that he will still end up at SIU. Saluki fans should not lose any sleep over his decision because of the great class that is already lined up for '08 combined with the fact that Lowery is in contact with the other talented recruits listed below.
Kyle Kuric- A 6-5 shooting guard who can get his shot off over anybody, Kuric shot 48% from the arc last year. Lowery has an offer on the table but Kuric could be waiting to see if he will receive an offer from Indiana, Duke, or Louisville who have all shown interest. Kuric would be a great get for the Salukis. Update:Kuric has an offer from Michigan as well.
Scott Suggs- A 6-6 four star guard, plays AAU ball for the St. Louis Eagles. Suggs is getting looks from Illinois and Missouri as well. Update: Suggs has given a verbal to Lorenzo Romar and will join Carbondale native Justin Dentmon at Washington.
Josh Crittle- A 6-8 center from Chicago, Crittle has a long list of schools looking at him so SIU can't be considered a favorite for his services at this point. However, the big man does play AAU ball with Kevin Dillard so there might be a connection there for Chris Lowery.
This is the time of year when its great to know that your program has a guy like Lowery out there working to land the best available talent. Lowery is a master on the recruiting trail and the future is bright for Saluki hoops. If Lowery can get any two of these recruits to team with Dillard, Bocot, Booker this is the class that could lead SIU to the final four.
If you've heard any new recruiting info feel free to email me- salukihoops @ gmail.com or head over to Salukitalk to interact with other Saluki fans on the net.
Justin Bocot- Bocot is an elite scorer who averaged 20 points a game his senior year in Bloomington. He had some difficulties in the classroom but was able to achieve an acceptable score on his ACT and is enrolled at SIU this year. Bocot has not been granted eligibility to play for the Salukis in 2007 but as long as everything goes well in the classroom he will step right into the guard rotation in 2008.
Anthony Booker- Booker has been tearing it up this summer and was recently named the #29 recruit in the Nation by scout.com. He is probably the highest ranked recruit in SIU history. Even with his recent accomplishments Booker has firmly stated he is not interested in going anywhere but SIU. I was able to watch Booker at SIU Arena this summer and he looks very polished. He has good footwork, a strong defensive presence, and a nice looking jump shot. Booker will be a superstar in the Valley.
Kevin Dillard- Also a top 150 recruit, Dillard is a true Point Guard who will get a chance to play one season with Brian Mullins before he takes the leading role as a sophomore in '09. Not only does Dillard have great handle, he can also stroke the three ball, making him a big time weapon for the Salukis.
Those three players alone would make a stellar recruiting class for any Valley team. Landing at least two top 150 recuits is nice for SIU especally considering the Illini have landed exactly zero players off that list... but the Salukis are not done yet. Chris Lowery is looking to bring in at least one and probably two more recruits for 2008. Lets take a look at some of these potential Salukis.
Torres Roundtree- Saluki fans- welcome to the world of big time recruiting. Torres Roundtree had originally given a verbal commitment to Chris Lowery and has now pulled back from that commitment. Dave Telep of scout.com estimates that 15 to 20 percent of the top 300 '08 recruits have "decommited" (Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News notes that this is not a real word).
My opinion on Roundtree is well documented on this site. He is going to be an outstanding college player and could have easily been on the top 150 list. When it's all said and done Roundtree could be considered as a four star recruit. He is currently making his rounds at USC and Missouri but I think there is a good chance that he will still end up at SIU. Saluki fans should not lose any sleep over his decision because of the great class that is already lined up for '08 combined with the fact that Lowery is in contact with the other talented recruits listed below.
Kyle Kuric- A 6-5 shooting guard who can get his shot off over anybody, Kuric shot 48% from the arc last year. Lowery has an offer on the table but Kuric could be waiting to see if he will receive an offer from Indiana, Duke, or Louisville who have all shown interest. Kuric would be a great get for the Salukis. Update:Kuric has an offer from Michigan as well.
Scott Suggs- A 6-6 four star guard, plays AAU ball for the St. Louis Eagles. Suggs is getting looks from Illinois and Missouri as well. Update: Suggs has given a verbal to Lorenzo Romar and will join Carbondale native Justin Dentmon at Washington.
Josh Crittle- A 6-8 center from Chicago, Crittle has a long list of schools looking at him so SIU can't be considered a favorite for his services at this point. However, the big man does play AAU ball with Kevin Dillard so there might be a connection there for Chris Lowery.
This is the time of year when its great to know that your program has a guy like Lowery out there working to land the best available talent. Lowery is a master on the recruiting trail and the future is bright for Saluki hoops. If Lowery can get any two of these recruits to team with Dillard, Bocot, Booker this is the class that could lead SIU to the final four.
If you've heard any new recruiting info feel free to email me- salukihoops @ gmail.com or head over to Salukitalk to interact with other Saluki fans on the net.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
More Troy Hudson
UPDATE: 8/5 The Clevland Cavs are now looking at signing Hudson to help bring Daniel Gibson along.
The Celtics have signed Eddie House to fill one of the backup guard positions. House is basically a shooting guard so its still possible the at the Celts could sign Troy Hudson as the backup PG.
It's hard to see how a gunner like Eddie House fits into the Celtics line up. The folks at Dime Magazine agree; and note that the Celts still don't have a PG over age 21 on their roster.
Hopefully Troy will have more success on the court than he had with his Rap Album that was released last month and sold just 78 copies in its first week. Thats not a typo... 78 copies... wow.
Casually Obsessed debates "Whos the better rapper, K-Fed or Troy Hudson?"
And as always you can sound off on this and all other Saluki related topics at www.salukitalk.com
The Celtics have signed Eddie House to fill one of the backup guard positions. House is basically a shooting guard so its still possible the at the Celts could sign Troy Hudson as the backup PG.
It's hard to see how a gunner like Eddie House fits into the Celtics line up. The folks at Dime Magazine agree; and note that the Celts still don't have a PG over age 21 on their roster.
Hopefully Troy will have more success on the court than he had with his Rap Album that was released last month and sold just 78 copies in its first week. Thats not a typo... 78 copies... wow.
Casually Obsessed debates "Whos the better rapper, K-Fed or Troy Hudson?"
And as always you can sound off on this and all other Saluki related topics at www.salukitalk.com
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