Beginning Monday, June 21st, 2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the opening day of the 2004-05 Season.

Bookmark the 144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back each day to see which team is previewed next.

#35 Southern Illinois Salukis

Missouri Valley

2003-04: 25-5, 17-1, 1^st

 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 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 11^th 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 1^st and make yet another trip to the big dance. 

Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA

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Email Joel Welser: jwelser_chn@ameritech.net

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