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October 27th,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Southern
Illinois Salukis
Overall
Rank: #19
Conference
Rank:
#1 MVC
2005-06:
22-11, 12-6, 2nd (t)
2005-06
postseason: NCAA
 With
everybody of importance returning, a successful winning program
and a second place finish last year,
Southern Illinois is the
favorite to win the Missouri Valley Conference…at least
according to some people. Coach Chris Lowery will have more
depth to work with this year, which will make an already
intimidating defense even worse for the opposition.
Who’s Out:
Mike Dale saw action in eight games before leaving the team.
While a talented player, SIU played most of the year without him
and even if he did return, team chemistry could have become an
issue. Austin Brooks was forced into action as a deep option
off the bench last year. The guard filled some minutes, but the
newcomers will provide more of a spark off the bench. Kyle
Smithpeters wrapped up his Saluki career appearing in just eight
games.
Who’s In:
Southern Illinois could use some more depth on the perimeter.
Christian Cornelius, Josh Bone and Tyrone Green are solid
options and will provide a more dynamic group off the bench than
SIU had last year. Cornelius played power forward in high
school, but should see most of his time on the wing for the
Salukis. After redshirting last year, the 6-7 Oak Park,
Illinois native has gained some strength and will use it to get
to the basket for some exciting finishes in Carbondale. Bone is
a solid long range shooter should contribute off the bench as a
freshman. Green regained his form after his first year at
Southeastern Illinois College when he switched from shooting
right handed to left handed. Despite handling the rest of
life’s little duties as a southpaw, Green shot right handed, and
relatively poorly at that. After just a little over a season
later, Green has a consistent jumper and the junior is expected
to contribute off the bench right away. Redshirt freshman
Jordan Armstrong and transfer Kobby Acquah will bolster the
frontcourt depth. Acquah, a 7-1, 225 pounder, played at Clark
Atlanta University last year and the senior won’t have to sit
out a year due to the school dropping his academic program.
Who to Watch:
It’s difficult to call a 15.0 point and 3.2 assist average a
disappointing season, but Jamaal Tatum set higher expectations
as a sophomore. Now as a senior, the 6-2 guard will have to
become a better leader and take better shots.** His mate on the
wing will be the second leading scorer of a year ago, Tony
Young. Point guard Bryan Mullins was thrown into the fire as a
freshman and did a magnificent job running the show. He’s a
smart player and with a year of experience under his belt,
Mullins should be even better. Wesley Clemmons will once again
be the first guard off the bench.
** Tatum is
suspended for the first three games of the season.
Final
Projection:
The
frontcourt starters are a little undersized at 6-7. However,
that was not a problem last year when Randal Falker effectively
took on the taller centers of the MVC. Falker, along with Matt
Shaw are both effective scorers under the basket. What this
team was lacking last year was consistent offense. Most of that
will fall on Tatum, who shot just 36.5 percent from the floor
and 29.2 percent from long range. If Tatum or Young struggle
with the shot much of the time, SIU won’t win the MVC. If one
of them finds a little more consistency, the Salukis will win
the conference for the sixth time in seven years.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NCAA
Projected
Starting Five:
Bryan
Mullins, Sophomore, Guard, 5.5 points per game
Tony Young,
Senior, Guard, 11.6 points per game
Jamaal Tatum,
Senior, Guard, 15.0 points per game
Matt Shaw,
Junior, Forward, 10.0 points per game
Randal Falker,
Junior, Forward, 9.1 points per game
Also:
Chris Lowery Preseason Interview
Also:
MVC Preview & Ranking
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