News
Southern Illinois University SIU Saluki Basketball MVC
Published: Jan 31, 2004 - 02:11 AM
Our radar would need repair if it didn't detect the Salukis, after two straight Missouri Valley Conference titles and NCAA Tournament appearances. SIU warrants mention here not because its resume was forgotten, but rather, because it wasn't expected to stay among the mid-major elite. After coveted coach Bruce Weber moved on to bigger things at Illinois, and stars Jermaine Dearman -- a dead-ringer for rapper Ludacris -- and Kent Williams both graduated, SIU was picked to finish fifth in a competitive MVC.
But even before the Salukis stormed into Wichita State -- the preseason MVC favorite -- on Wednesday and beat the Shockers 84-79, it had become abundantly clear that this is no rebuilding year in Carbondale. First-year coach Matt Painter, another product of the Purdue pipeline that produced Weber, has SIU off to its best conference start in school history at 9-0 (15-2 overall).
While mentor Gene Keady enjoys success at Purdue in a fashion that borders on boring, pupil Painter's squad is a more entertaining watch. The Salukis like to apply pressure -- and if Wednesday night was indication of their ability to hawk the ball, they could feast on a turnover-prone team come tournament time. Against WSU, SIU forced 18 turnovers while committing just six. The Salukis average 10.1 steals per game, good for second in the MVC.
SIU checks in at No. 31 in the RPI, held back by a schedule that's ranked No. 114 in the nation: Its three best wins are at Wisconsin-Milwaukee and both at home and away over Wichita State. If the Salukis don't fall face-first during the remainder of their conference slate, which includes double dates with both Creighton and Northern Iowa, they should finish with enough wins to get invited to the dance even if they lose the MVC tournament.
2. Diamond in the Rough: SIU's Darren Brooks
Brooks, like his team, was underestimated. The talented, 6-foot-3 point guard from St. Louis was not a member of the preseason all-MVC team, but will undoubtedly earn that label come season's end. With Dearman and Williams out of the picture, Brooks has assumed the starring role for SIU, and at midseason is the leading candidate for MVC player of the year.
Not that we saw it coming either, but in his career in Carbondale, Brooks has been a poster child for incremental progress:
2000-01: Redshirted.
2001-02 (Freshman): Named captain of the MVC All-Bench team after scoring 9.4 ppg.
2002-03 (Sophomore): Earns starting role, named to MVC's Most Improved and All-Defense teams after averaging 12.9 points and two steals per game.
2003-04 (Junior): Averaging a league-best 16.9 ppg. and 2.5 spg. The honors will come.
While mentor Gene Keady enjoys success at Purdue in a fashion that borders on boring, pupil Painter's squad is a more entertaining watch. The Salukis like to apply pressure -- and if Wednesday night was indication of their ability to hawk the ball, they could feast on a turnover-prone team come tournament time. Against WSU, SIU forced 18 turnovers while committing just six. The Salukis average 10.1 steals per game, good for second in the MVC.
SIU checks in at No. 31 in the RPI, held back by a schedule that's ranked No. 114 in the nation: Its three best wins are at Wisconsin-Milwaukee and both at home and away over Wichita State. If the Salukis don't fall face-first during the remainder of their conference slate, which includes double dates with both Creighton and Northern Iowa, they should finish with enough wins to get invited to the dance even if they lose the MVC tournament.
2. Diamond in the Rough: SIU's Darren Brooks
Brooks, like his team, was underestimated. The talented, 6-foot-3 point guard from St. Louis was not a member of the preseason all-MVC team, but will undoubtedly earn that label come season's end. With Dearman and Williams out of the picture, Brooks has assumed the starring role for SIU, and at midseason is the leading candidate for MVC player of the year.
Not that we saw it coming either, but in his career in Carbondale, Brooks has been a poster child for incremental progress:
2000-01: Redshirted.
2001-02 (Freshman): Named captain of the MVC All-Bench team after scoring 9.4 ppg.
2002-03 (Sophomore): Earns starting role, named to MVC's Most Improved and All-Defense teams after averaging 12.9 points and two steals per game.
2003-04 (Junior): Averaging a league-best 16.9 ppg. and 2.5 spg. The honors will come.
