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#48 Southern Illinois
Salukis
Missouri Valley
Conference
2004-05: 27-8, 15-3, 1st
2004-05 postseason:
NCAA
By
Joel Welser
The Missouri Valley
has become one of the best non BCS conferences, and nobody
deserves more credit for that than
Southern Illinois. Even in
seemingly down years, and this year would qualify as such, the
Salukis always reload and surprise. Despite the loss of four
players who started at least 20 games, the only thing that would
be surprising now is SIU not battling for the top spot in the
MVC.
Who’s Out:
Darren Brooks, Stetson Hairston, LaMar Owen and Josh Warren are
a talented group to lose. Surprisingly the talent level overall
on Chris Lowery’s squad won’t drop that much. It is the
experience where the Salukis will run into some major problems.
Brooks, a two-time MVC Player of the Year, averaged a team high
15.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.6 steals. Hairston,
Brooks’ backcourt mate, averaged 9.4 points, 3.5 boards and 2.3
assists. Owen tacked on 6.6 points and 3.9 boards in 20 starts
at the forward spot. Warren wasn’t much of an offensive threat
as a center, but was a staple under the basket for Southern
Illinois. The 6-8, 250 pound big man started all 35 games
averaging 3.9 points and 3.7 rebounds.
Who’s In:
Newcomers Bryan Mullins and Wesley
Clemmons will have the job of backing up returnees Jamaal Tatum,
Tony Young and Mike Dale. Mullins is a tough point guard who
won’t score a lot, but is a tremendous passer and a shutdown
defender. Clemmons, who redshirted last season, is a dangerous
player off the bench. As a senior at Northwest High School in
Indianapolis, Clemmons averaged 15.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per
game. Chris Cornelius should immediately step in and make an
impact on the frontcourt. The 6-7 forward is an athletic player
loaded with talent. At the Brewster Academy in New Hampshire
last year, Cornelius averaged 10.0 points and 7.0 boards. Tony
Boyle, a 6-8, 220 pound DeSoto, Missouri product redshirted last
year and will add more depth to a deep frontcourt. Jordan
Armstrong is a little undersized for a power forward at 6-6, yet
he can score facing the basket and defend any opposing big man.
Nick Rogers, a 6-8 center, will have trouble finding minutes as
a freshman.
Who to Watch:
Jamaal Tatum is the next in line of
Saluki guards that will lead SIU. Tatum averaged 12.3 points per
game last year and that number will increase for his junior
campaign as he takes over the leadership role from Darren
Brooks. Tatum is a solid shooter from long range and his
quickness will give him plenty of open looks and easy points. On
the defensive end, the 6-2 Jefferson City, Missouri product is a
handful.
Projected
Conference Rank:
Considering what is lost, a 3rd
place finish in the MVC isn’t bad, but the Salukis will be
realistically aiming for the top spot. The conference will once
again try to earn three bids to the NCAA Tournament, which will
put SIU squarely on the bubble. At #48, Chris Lowery’s group has
the honor of being the last, and best, NIT team on the list.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NIT
Projected Starting
Five:
Jamaal Tatum, Junior,
Guard, 12.3 points per game
Tony Young, Junior,
Guard, 6.1 points per game
Mike Dale, Junior,
Guard, 4.0 points per game
Matt Shaw, Sophomore,
Forward, 6.4 points per game
Randal Falker,
Sophomore, Forward, 4.1 points per game
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