Whatsasaluki

I think you will see Creighton taking a back seat in the conference, at least for this year, although Dana Altman is one hell of a coach. The things that are exciting to Saluki fans are Chris Lowery has already vitually completed the 05 class, with Josh Tabb (who at one time was rated the #2 player in the state) and Bryan Mullins included, it will be one of the best classes ever for SIU, and with Lowery in place we finally have a coach who will not leave to "go home", he is at home! The present and future has never looked brighter for Saluki hoops. We are playing Vandy in Vegas tournament, hopefully we can knock them off and get some momentum going.

Since you are coming to Carbondale this year, for what it is worth, College Hoops has SIU ranked 35th in the nation: #35 Southern Illinois Salukis Missouri Valley 2003-04: 25-5, 17-1, 1st 2003-04 postseason: NCAA By Joel Welser New head coach Chris Lowery takes over after just one year of Matt Painter being at the helm. The Salukis’ struggled at the end of last year losing three of their last four, including a first round loss to Alabama in the NCAA Tournament. This year’s squad could be just as successful as the 25-5 record posted a year ago, but those in Carbondale are hoping for a little more success in the month of March. The main concern for the team is suspensions. Mike Dale will miss the first three games of the year and returning starter Stetson Hairston is suspended indefinitely. Who’s Out: Three starters are gone in Brad Korn, Bryan Turner and Sylvester Willis. Korn averaged 9.7 points and 4.0 rebounds last year. Turner scored 4.8 points and dished out 2.7 assists per contest. Willis averaged 6.4 points and 4.4 boards. Senior Leonard Hughes saw little action his last year at Southern Illinois. Three starters may be gone, but the numbers aren’t all that impressive for the departing players. With six returning players averaging at least ten minutes per game last season, SIU won’t have a problem filling in for those leaving. Who’s In: Randal Falker and Jamaal Foster both redshirted last year. Falker, a 6-7 forward, is an outstanding rebounder and shot blocker. Foster is another long player, who should see some minutes in the Saluki frontcourt. Sophomore guard Mike Dale did not play last year and will miss at least three games with a suspension this season. Forwards Matt Shaw and Tony Boyle should see some minutes off the bench when starters Josh Warren and LaMar Owen need a break. Wesley Clemmons joins a crowded backcourt and could see some time off the bench competing for minutes with returnees Jamaal Tatum, Ryan Walker and Tony Young. Who to Watch: Southern Illinois will again live and die with Darren Brooks. As a junior last year, Brooks averaged a team high 16.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Brooks has great hops and his jump shot shows that off. A high release point makes his shots virtually unblockable. On the other end of the floor, that jumping ability gives the 6-3 guard a surprising amount of rebounds and blocks. Brooks defense doesn’t end with the blocks either. Last year he averaged 2.0 steals per game and is 11th on the career steals list at SIU. Projected Conference Rank: Southern Illinois won’t surprise anybody this year like they did a season ago. Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Southwest Missouri State and Creighton will try not to let the Salukis run away with the MVC conference again, but SIU will be 1st and make yet another trip to the big dance. PS- Brooks does not have "great hops", he does however have great instincts, and I did say "for what it is worth". However, we should be better than last year, when we were ranked as high as #15. Heck, we have Matt Shaw this year!

SIU closed the season with an RPI of 25, which I believe was a tad bit higher than SLU's. PS- this year's team is going to be better.

FYI- this is a kid that was being recruited by every Big Ten school except Iowa, every MVC school, and Kansas. In just three weeks as the SIU head coach, Chris Lowery has added a player who talent evaluators rank among the best to commit to the Missouri Valley Conference in recent memory. The Daily Egyptian has learned Josh Tabb, a top-100 caliber recruit for the class of 2005, has verbally committed to the Saluki men's basketball team. Tabb, a junior from Century High School in nearby Ullin, is the second member of the 2005 class. "I have been thinking about it, and I picked them [Monday]," Tabb said. "It was just a feeling I had. They were telling me all long that I would do well there." Tabb, a left-handed slasher, averaged 20.1 points and 8.5 rebounds this season for a 22-5 Century squad despite missing 10 games after having surgery on his shooting wrist in the fall. During his sophomore campaign, he averaged 21 points and 10.5 rebounds. He was considered Lowery's top target for 2005. "He is an outstanding prospect," said Brian Stinnette of Chicagohoops.com. "He brings a tremendous amount of ability. He is unbelievably smooth. He is a top-10 prospect in the class of 2005 in the state of Illinois. "He is a bigger get than Matt Shaw. He is a top 100-caliber recruit." Tabb scored a 16 on the ACT on his first attempt and plans to retake it in June. He needs to score a 17 to qualify. He called Lowery to inform him of his intention to commit Sunday night. He had already received a scholarship offer from DePaul, and Purdue offered him one last week when former Saluki coach Matt Painter visited him. Illinois and Marquette were also showing strong interest. "With SIU, my mom [Regina] doesn't have to hop in an airplane just to see a game," Tabb said. "They think I will play the two guard. I think [Lowery] is a terrific coach. He has been coming to see me since I was a freshman. "You never know, coach Lowery could get another job somewhere else. As long as coach Lowery is there, my commitment is solid." In his short tenure, Lowery has secured letters of intent from Mike Dale and Tony Boyle of De Soto, Mo., while junior center Nick Rogers recommitted to the SIU program. The Salukis have also offered junior point guards Bryan Mullins and Dodi Dunson as well as power forward Mike Davis. "Chris Lowery right now is getting it done," Stinnette said. "In recent memory, Tabb is the best recruit to commit in the Missouri Valley Conference. "The way Southern Illinois is going, they have a chance to be the next Gonzaga." ---------------------------------------------------------

Mike Dale is a prop 48 at SIU, (NOT SIU_C DAMMIT, the other SIU is DII), he had a "B" average the fall semester, the anticipation is that he will be awarded a scholly if his spring semester grades are OK, to the best of my knowledge, he has "seen the light." He is good friends with Stetson Hairston, who says he wishes he could stick around a few years, just to watch him play.

Matt Shaw met with Chris Lowery on Friday night, he has decided he wants to be on a Top 25 team this year, SIU. (oh yeah , that would be SIU-c!)

Guys- Do me a favor! It is not SIU-C, the other SIU (E) does not really count, it is just SIU dammit!! You don't say UM-C as opposed to UM-R, as in Rolla, do you?? I realize it is a local thing in St. Louis, but it bugs the crap out of Saluki fans!! SIU SIU SIU SIU SIU SIU, got it?

The lowly Salukis (from the even lower MVC) are currently ranked 23rd in AP Top 25. Too bad we cannot find anyone willing to play us. PS- Remember us? The school were Matt Shaw is going.

A. What conference is SW Mo. in??? B. What conference are you guys "too good" to be in??????????? SLU- mid major team in search of a high major conference. Have a good day.

Thank you for responding to my question regarding SLU's accomplishments. Since the same question was asked of SIU: Winning the NIT (anyone remember Walt Frazier) 2 trips to the Sweet Sixteen Over last 10 years, 5 trips to the NCAA tournament, one trip to NIT, where we beat Colorado Last 2 years, victories over Big 12, (Texas Tech and Iowa State), Big Ten (Indiana who ended up runner-up in Natl. Championship that year), SEC (Georgia), and Creighton (rated as high as #7 last year). Went 16-2 in conference last year Currently have 3rd longest home winning streak in country Last but not least- SIGNING MATT SHAW!!!! Judging by the relative success, if teams like SIU & Creighton are mid-major, then SLU is certainly a mid-major program, in search of a high-major conference, like it or not. PS- We have never lost a home game to a bottom feeder (TN-Martin) from Ohio Valley Conf. See ya!

I have a very simple, straightforward question for any and all SLU fans. What has your basketball team ever accomplished? You guys remind me of the butt-ugly girl who hangs with the lookers, thinking that she will be perceived as being pretty too. Once again, WHAT has SLU ever accomplished?? And please, none of this "well, we are going to be good" BS. I eagerly await a reply.