Into the spotlight Pair of transfers hope to lead SIU men’s basketball back to national prominence BY TODD HEFFERMAN THE SOUTHERN
J
ALAN ROGERS / THE SOUTHERN
John Freeman (left) and Tony Freeman are both expected to make big contributions to the Southern Illinois University men’s basketball team this season.
ohn Freeman and Tony Freeman don’t share any relatives, but have similar responsibilities for this year’s Southern Illinois University men’s basketball team. One hopes to make one of the youngest teams in the Missouri Valley Conference last year an older, more intimidating group. The other, the Salukis’ only senior, hopes to lead SIU back into the national spotlight after
last year’s 13-18 finish. John Freeman, a 6-foot5, 190-pound junior college transfer from Vincennes (Ind.) University, was recruited for his defensive versatility. His wingspan helps him play bigger than he really is, while his strength makes him a viable defender in the post. With forwards like Creighton’s Justin Carter and Northern Iowa’s Adam Koch still on the loose this season, he could give the Salukis the type of
defender they didn’t have last year. “Guarding him in practice, because I had to guard some of those guys, is just like guarding them,” SIU guard Justin Bocot said. “He can guard the guard types, like Kevin Dillard and Tony Freeman, and then, sometimes, he has to go down low and guard somebody like Carlton (Fay), and he does a great job of that. He’s physical and he’s long, too. He can get into passing lanes. He’ll get up in you, but he can get back
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if you beat him.” Vincennes finished 48-13 in John Freeman’s two years there, as opponents struggled to match up with him at the either end of the floor. John, 20, averaged 15 points, seven rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.6 blocks per game last year. “It’s just weird, kinda, because, my whole life, ever since I’ve been young, my coaches always told me I could play more than one position,” he said. “So I just try to use that to my advantage by using my length against quicker guards, probably, and try using my speed against bigger post players.” SIU coach Chris Lowery snagged him after some of the Missouri Valley Conference’s best forwards tore apart his team last year. Carter had a combined 15 rebounds and 17 points in the Bluejays’ two victories
over SIU. Evansville’s Shy Ely, the league’s leading scorer, had 22 in both games and a combined 11 boards in a season split. Bradley’s Theron Wilson had 53 points and 29 boards in three games against SIU. “You’re talking about a 6-5 kid that had 90 blocks, 70 steals. He does a bunch of different things,” Lowery said. “He can guard different guys. He’s an Indiana kid who really understands how to play. That’s the biggest thing about him. He’s a tweener, but he can really do some things, offensively, that we really haven’t had in a long time.” Tony Freeman, about three years and 10 months older than John, hopes to recapture something SIU has always had but didn’t have enough of last year. The fifth-year guard was the leading scorer for Iowa
two years ago, and has tried to lead by example. Ineligible to play last season because of NCAA transfer rules, he worked out on his own. He practiced curling around screens and getting his jump shot off with the bounce in individual workouts. He defended in practice, knowing he wouldn’t get to do anything in the Salukis’ 31 games. “I think the guys all respect me in a sense. That wasn’t really, really hard,” he said. “It’s just getting everybody on the right page, because it’s me, and then all the younger guys. We’ve built a camaraderie. There is that chemistry. I don’t think playing this year will be hard at all.” Tony Freeman’s leadership could be critical. SIU returns three players who started at least one game last year, but
comes off its first losing campaign since 1997-98. A second team All-Big Ten Conference player in 2007-08, he already earned some respect across the Valley. He was named a preseason all-conference pick, and now has to try to make the most of his last college season with eight newcomers to the program. “He’s never acted like, ‘I’m from a BCS league and I’m going to come in and rip that league up and get out of there in one year,’” Lowery said. “He’s never been that way, and that’s what’s been consistent about him, is that he’s a tremendous person. He wants to win. He embraces our program, and he really wants to help our program get back to where it was.” ALAN ROGERS / THE SOUTHERN todd.hefferman@thesouthern.com 618-351-5087
Tony Freeman (left) was Iowa’s leading scorer two years ago, and John Freeman was a star for Vincennes (Ind.) University.
The Southern Illinoisan Friday, November 13, 2009 Page 3
Salukis have new names, maybe a new game Will a more versaitle squad, including many newcomers, help SIU bounce back? BY TODD HEFFERMAN THE SOUTHERN
Southern Illinois University’s men’s basketball team only has two centers, and they couldn’t be more different. Freshman Gene Teague has lost close to 30 pounds since arriving in Carbondale, but still could be of the largest players in Saluki history at 6-foot-9 and 290 pounds. Nick Evans, a redshirt sophomore who looks even longer than his listed 6-11, could pass a Siberian husky on an airplane without grazing its fur. Fortunately for SIU, the versatility of this year’s lineup extends well past the center spot. And if the Salukis are to improve on last year’s 1318 record, their first losing season since 1997-98, they’ll have to do it in groups. “This year, we’re really focused on getting back to our past glory. Why everybody came here,” Evans said. “All the old vets are gone, and it’s this younger group that is now older. It’s on us this year. I’m ready for my time. I’m ready for our time as a team.” Three players return who started at least one game last season: reigning Missouri Valley Conference freshman of the year Kevin Dillard; junior forward Carlton Fay; and junior guard Justin Bocot. Sophomore forward Anthony Booker and Evans played significant minutes last season and have four new posts to compete with in practice, although one of them, freshman forward Jordan Myers, might redshirt. Either way, the
JAMES DURBIN / FOR THE SOUTHERN
SIU guard Jack Crowder looks for a teammate to pass to during a game Oct. 31 against Henderson State at SIU Arena.
Salukis are glad to have not only more competitive practices, but more options than ever at the guard spot in a guard’s league. “We have way more players that can handle the ball this year,” said Bocot, who averaged 5.7 points and three rebounds a game last year. “We have four people that can play the 1 position. We didn’t have that last year, so, that’s going to help. We didn’t have a lot of guys that could play the 3 and the 4, so that’s going to help a lot, too. “Last year, when our bigs got in foul trouble; I went in one time at the 4. That really wasn’t a good look.” Look for Dillard to actually see the bench a bit this season. The 6-foot, 170-pound sophomore point guard played an average of 30.9 minutes per game last season, second only to Bryan Mullins’ 34.1. With freshman Kendal Brown-Surles and Iowa transfer Tony Freeman, Dillard may play
some shooting guard this season. The former Mr. Basketball hit double figures in 20-of-31 games and shot 45.2 percent from the 3-point line as a freshman. Junior college transfers Jack Crowder and John Freeman will be expected to contribute at both ends of the floor. Crowder, the 24th-best juco player in America, according to Rivals.com, weighs 210 pounds and averaged 20.6 points per game for Cowley (Kan.) College. Freeman, a 6-5 matchup problem from Vincennes (Ind.) University, had nearly 100 steals and averaged 15 points and seven rebounds a game last season. “We feel like our depth and our youth are still going to be our strengths, because we can score in a lot of different ways this year as opposed to years in the past,” Lowery said. “We feel like we have depth and talent, and backups for each position.” THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO todd.hefferman@thesouthern.com 618-351-5087
Page 4 Friday, November 13, 2009 The Southern Illinoisan
Southern Illinois guard Kevin Dillard (1) and center Nick Evans guard during the Salukis’ game last season against Evansville at SIU Arena in Carbondale.
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2009-10 MVC MEN’S BASKETBALL CAPSULES BRADLEY BRAVES
CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS
Coach: Jim Les (126-105 overall, 126-105 at BU, eighth season). Last year: 21-15, 10-8 MVC (4th), lost in finals of Collegeinsider.com tournament. When they play SIU: Jan. 1 in Peoria; Jan. 20 in Carbondale. Preseason pick: Sixth. Top returners: G Sam Maniscalco (12.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 32.8 mpg), G Dodie Dunson (10.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg), G Chris Roberts (8.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg), C Sam Singh (4.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 53.6 field goal percentage). Key losses: F Theron Wilson (14 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 30.4 mpg, 66 steals), C David Collins (4.5 ppg, 4 rpg). Player to watch: G Andrew Warren. Warren missed all of last season with a broken foot, and if he can recapture his old stroke, could be a big addition to the Braves’ loaded backcourt. Warren averaged 13.2 points per game in 200708, and will be one of six upperclassmen on the roster. Outlook: Bradley has one of the league’s toughest schedules, but might have the team to maneuver it as the Braves go for their fifth straight season with at least 21 wins. Four starters return, as well as the former starter, Warren, who could make a pretty good backcourt even tougher. Maniscalco, the point guard whose 126 career 3-pointers are the most ever for a second-year Braves player, was the team’s second-leading scorer behind Wilson. BU also has Dunson and Roberts in the backcourt, and athletic forward Taylor Brown and Singh near the bucket.
EVANSVILLE PURPLE ACES Coach: Marty Simmons (124-108 overall, 26-35 at UE, ninth season). Last year: 17-14, 8-10 MVC (T5th), lost in first round of Collegeinsider.com tournament. When they play SIU: Jan. 16 in Evansville; Feb. 13 in Carbondale. Preseason pick: 10th. Top returners: C Pieter van Tongeren (4.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 56.4 field goal percentage), F James Haarsma (5.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg), G Kavon Lacey (4.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg), F Clint Hopf (1.8 ppg, 1.4 rpg). Key losses: G Jason Holsinger (12.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 33.9 mpg, 107 assists), F Shy Ely (18.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 45.9 field goal percentage, 35.1 mpg), F Nate Garner (10 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 53.5 field goal percentage, 29.1 mpg).
DRAKE BULLDOGS
Coach: Dana Altman (392227 overall, 309-160 at CU, 21st season) Last year: 27-8, 14-4 MVC (2nd), lost in second round of NIT. When they play SIU: Jan. 13 in Omaha; Feb. 23 in Carbondale. Preseason pick: Second. Top returners: G P’Allen Stinnett (12.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 44.4 field goal percentage), F Kenny Lawson Jr. (8.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg), F Justin Carter (8.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg), G Cavel Witter (7.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg), G Antoine Young (4.9 ppg, 0.8 rpg). Key losses: G Booker Woodfox (15.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 47.6 from 3-point range), F Kenton Walker (5.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg), PG Josh Dotzler (3.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 4.4 apg). Player to watch: Lawson. The junior center shot 52.8 percent from the floor and was the team’s second-leading rebounder. Without Walker, he’ll play a bigger role in Creighton’s quest to earn at least 20 victories for the 12th straight time. Lawson led the Bluejays with 56 blocks in 35 games and was their third-leading scorer. Outlook: Without Woodfox, you’d think the Bluejays would struggle to find another proficient scorer to go with Stinnett. Think again. With backup guard Cavel Witter and Lawson back for another year after leading the league in blocks, CU has some offensive options. Carter gave the MVC fits last season, averaging 8.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and could play alongside a junior college All-American in 6-6 Wanye Runnels. Young, the team’s new point guard, made the MVC All-Bench Team last year, and Korver hit 44.8 percent from 3-point range.
Player to watch: Haarsma. The 6-7 sophomore is the Aces’ top returning scorer and rebounder, and will have to step it up to bring UE out of the basement. Simmons lost four starters, two 1,000-point scorers and has eight newcomers for the 2008-09 season. Outlook: The Purple Aces will lean on van Tongeren, a 6-11 junior center, and newcomer of the year candidate Bryan Bouchie to try to keep UE moving upward. Second-year coach Simmons, formerly the head man at SIU Edwardsville, took the Aces from nine wins to 17 last year and earned the school’s first postseason appearance in a decade. This year, he has a few returning parts, but must find someone to fill the scoring and leadership of Ely and Holsinger. “Our new players have jumped in with both feet, playing extremely hard. Every day is a new challenge,” Simmons said.
Page 6 Friday, November 13, 2009 The Southern Illinoisan
Coach: Mark Phelps (17-16 overall, 17-16 at DU, second season). Last year: 17-16, 7-11 MVC (T-8th), lost in first round of CollegeInsider.com tournament. When they play SIU: Jan. 9 in Carbondale; Feb. 16 in Des Moines, Iowa. Preseason pick: Eighth. Top returners: G Josh Young (15.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 33.5 mpg), G Craig Stanley (7.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 48.6 field goal percentage), F Adam Templeton (5.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg). Key losses: F Jonathan Cox (12.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 33 mpg), F Brent Heemskerk (3.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 46.8 field goal percentage). Player to watch: Templeton. Without Cox, the 6-6 Templeton becomes the veteran of the frontcourt. With Young expected to secure a lot of attention on the perimeter, Drake’s interior game might be the difference in whether the Bulldogs can reach a third straight postseason. Outlook: Drake has a great player in Young, one of the league’s most dangerous scorers, but really will be relying on some new faces this season. Ten players on the Bulldogs’ roster haven’t played a Division I game, but DU earned the top recruiting class in the league, according to some publications. Stanley, a senior guard, and Templeton, a 6-6 senior forward, could take some stress off of Young as he tries to become the school’s all-time leading scorer. Freshman Ben Simons, the runner-up for Mr. Basketball in Michigan, could help in the frontcourt.
ILLINOIS STATE REDBIRDS Coach: Tim Jankovich (152-91 overall, 49-20 at ILS, ninth season). Last year: 24-10, 11-7 MVC (3rd), lost in first round of NIT. When they play SIU: Jan. 3 in Normal; Jan. 23 in Carbondale. Preseason pick: Third. Top returners: G Osiris Eldridge (14 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 34.8 mpg), PG Lloyd Phillips (10.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.3 apg), F Dinma Odiakosa (8.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 61.8 percent field goal percentage). Key losses: F Champ Oguchi (15.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 31.6 mpg), G Emmanuel Holloway (10.3 ppg, 4 rpg, 30.8 mpg), F Brandon Sampay (7.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg). Player to watch: Eldridge. Last year, he became the second player in history to earn the MVC tournament Most Outstanding
Player award for a team that didn’t win the title. In his last season before trying out for the pros, Eldridge has a pretty good supporting cast. This season, we’ll get to see how far he can take his team. Outlook: The loss of Bobby Hill, a 6-6 junior from Vashon High School in St. Louis, was a blow for the second straight year. However, the Redbirds still have one of the best players in the league in Eldridge, if not the best, and some nice pieces of a contender’s puzzle. Phillips could step it up in his last season, and if he does, he and Odiakosa could give ILS a tough 1-2 punch to go with last year’s tournament most outstanding player. Sophomores Jeremy Robinson and Kellen Thornton could have big years in their second seasons, and if they don’t, Jankovich still has junior-college transers Austin Hill from Southeastern Illinois College and Division II All-American Tony Lewis from Ellsworth Community College.
2009-10 MVC MEN’S BASKETBALL CAPSULES INDIANA STATE SYCAMORES
MISSOURI STATE BEARS
Coach: Kevin McKenna (115-70 overall, 26-37 at INS, seventh season) Last year: 11-21, 7-11 MVC (T8th). When they play SIU: Dec. 29 in Carbondale; Jan. 28 in Terre Haute, Ind. Preseason pick: Seventh. Top returners: G Rashad Reed (11 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 33.1 mpg), G Harry Marshall (13.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 35.5 mpg, 94 assists, 76 turnovers), F Isiah Martin (4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 52.9 field goal percentage), G Jordan Printy (6.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg), G Carl Richard (6.1 ppg, 6 rpg). Key losses: F Jay Tunnell (12.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg). Player to watch: Marshall. The Sycamores were a much different team without the senior point guard, and with a lot of his teammates back, Marshall could have a big season. Outlook: Iowa transfer Jake Kelly has already impressed Sycamores fans in Terre Haute, Ind., and could be a newcomer of the year candidate. The 6-foot-6 junior guard was an honorable mention All-Big Ten pick and could make a pretty good backcourt even better. The Sycamores return Marshall, Reed, Printy — who was one of the best 3-point shooters in the conference last year — and Richard. Four starters overall return for McKenna, the former Creighton assistant, in his third season with Indiana State.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SALUKIS Coach: Chris Lowery (109-59 overall, 109-59 at SIU, sixth season). Last year: 13-18, 8-10 (T5th). Preseason pick: Fourth. Top returners: G Kevin Dillard (12.2 ppg, 2 rpg, 45.2 percent from 3-point range, 129 assists, 101 turnovers), G Justin Bocot (5.7 ppg, 3 rpg), F Anthony Booker (3.7 ppg, 3.5 rpg), F Carlton Fay (10.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg), C Nick Evans (2.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg). Key losses: PG Bryan Mullins (9.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg, two-time MVC defensive player of the year), F Tony Boyle (9.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg), G Ryan Hare (7.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg). Player to watch: Booker. The sophomore forward seemed to be locked in the last month of the season. A talented scorer, Booker might be one of the most improved players in the league. He also might be an
NORTHERN IOWA PANTHERS
Coach: Cuonzo Martin (11-20 overall, 11-20 at MSU, second season). Last year: 11-20, 3-15 MVC (10th). When they play SIU: Feb. 3 in Carbondale; Feb. 10 at Springfield, Mo. Preseason pick: Ninth. Top returners: G Justin Fuehrmeyer (4.7 ppg, 2 rpg), G Cardell McFarland (6.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg), F Kyle Weems (10.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 30 steals), F/C Will Creekmore (7.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 44.9 field goal percentage). Key losses: F Chris Cooks (12.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 31.4 mpg), F Wade Knapp (9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 51.6 field goal percentage), G Spencer Laurie (8.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 38.7 3-point percentage, 29.4 mpg), G Shane Laurie (3.5 ppg, 2 rpg). Player to watch: G Nafis Ricks. The 6-1 Philadelphia native led Johnson County (Kan.) Community College to the Division II junior national title last year. The NJCAA player of the year, Ricks will be asked to add scoring punch, athleticism and experience to a rebuilding Bears squad. Outlook: For the first time in years, the Bears will be without a Laurie, but should be a bit more athletic with the addition of Ricks. Fuehrmeyer has been a good leader early for MSU, Martin said, but the key to the Bears lies without the basketball. MSU allowed an average of 68.2 points per game last season, and may see a drastic improvement this winter. “I like what I see from a talent standpoint, but we’ve gotta minimize those turnovers. Guys have gotta understand how to defend one-on-one,” Martin said.
afterthought if he doesn’t push himself. Outlook: SIU got older and should show some benefits from playing a bunch of freshmen and sophomores last winter. Dillard added about 20 pounds to his 6-foot frame, and with Iowa transfer Tony Freeman and freshman guard Kendal Brown-Surles, could excel as a shooting guard this season. Freshman Gene Teague and Evans give the Salukis great size in the middle, which could make it tough for the rest of the league to match up with Fay on the wing and a great set of guards. Lowery expects this year’s squad to be better defensively and on the run. “That side of the ball, we’re getting better, and we’re going to be good on that side of the ball,” he said. “I keep telling them, and fighting them every day, ‘You’re going to be a good defensive team.’ Plus, we can get in transition based on how we guard, with the different level athlete on the wing that we have.”
Coach: Ben Jacobson (59-38 overall, 59-38 at UNI, fourth season). Last year: 23-11, 14-4 MVC (1st), lost in first round of NCAA tournament. When they play SIU: Jan. 6 in Carbondale; Feb. 6 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Preseason pick: First. Top returners: PG Kwadzo Ahelegbe (11.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.1 apg), G Ali Farokhmanesh (9.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 37.9 percent from 3-point range), G Johnny Moran (8.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg), F Adam Koch (12.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 48.8 field goal percentage), F Lucas O’Rear (5.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg), C Jordan Eglseder (10.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 58.5 field goal percentage). Key losses: G Travis Brown (5.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg). Player to watch: Koch. The senior forward, one of five returning starters, is UNI’s top returning scorer. He devoted a lot of his time in the offseason to the weight room, and hopes to get the Panthers a little further than the opening round of the NCAA tournament. At 6-foot-8, he’s one of the more versatile posts in the league, not to mention one of its best passers. He had 67 assists last year, third on the team. Outlook: UNI was vastly disrespected in the preseason Associated Press poll, as Creighton and SIU received more votes. All three may have great teams by the end, but while the Panthers don’t have a lot of flash, they have some tremendous athletes. UNI shot 45.3 percent from the floor as a team last year, and return all five starters and nine of its top 10. Eglseder, who, like Koch put in a lot of offseason time in the weight room, could become an even bigger presence.
WICHITA STATE SHOCKERS Coach: Gregg Marshall (222-120 overall, 28-37 at WSU, 12th season). Last year: 17-17, 8-10 MVC (T5th); lost in second round of College Basketball Invitational. When they play SIU: Jan. 31 in Carbondale; Feb. 27 in Wichita, Kan. Preseason pick: Fifth. Top returners: PG Clevin Hannah (11.2 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 45.8 field goal percentage, 28.5 mpg, 146 assists), G Toure’ Murry (11 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 28.2 mpg), F J.T. Durley (8.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 50.2 field goal percentage), F Aaron Ellis (3.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg). Key losses: F Ramon Clemente (7.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 57.6 field goal percentage, 26.6 mpg), F A.J. Hawkins (6.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg). Player to watch: Murry. The sharp-shooting guard became a real marksman for the
Shockers, and with another year under his belt, could rise even higher in the league’s eyes. With J.T. Durley and East Carolina transfer Gabe Blair down low, Murry might get enough good looks to get WSU back in the postseason. Outlook: The Shockers will be tested early, as they play Pittsburgh and Iowa or Texas in the CBE Classic this month, but should improve last year’s .500 record. Hannah, Murry and Durley form a nice inside-outside combination for the Shockers, and with East Carolina transfer Gabe Blair eligible,WSU might not miss much off the boards. Look for Murry to have a huge sophomore season, and the 6-9 Ellis to become a tough matchup down low. Marshall has seven of his top 12 back and three returning starters.“There’s a familiarity with our verbage, with our system that our young players don’t have,” he said.“For the veterans, it’s the second time they’ve gone through it, and even though we’re still young, with only one senior, we have experience like that.”
The Southern Illinoisan Friday, November 13, 2009 Page 7
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MVC MEN’S COMPOSITE SCHEDULE November Fri. 13 Nebraska-Kearney at Indiana State Terre Haute, Ind. 6:05 Fri. 13 Bradley at BYU Provo, Utah 8:30 Fri. 13 UNI at Denver Denver, Colo. 8:30 Sat. 14 IUPUI at Drake (Glenn Wilkes Classic) Des Moines, Iowa 1:00 Sat. 14 Oakland City at Evansville Evansville, Ind. 7:05 Sat. 14 Tennessee-Martin at Southern Illinois Carbondale, Ill. 7:05 Sat. 14 Creighton at Dayton Dayton, Ohio 12:05 Sun. 15 Illinois State at SIU Edwardsville Edwardsville, Ill. 2:30 Sun. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson at WSU (ESPNU) Wichita, Kan. 3:05 Sun. 15 Idaho State at Bradley Peoria, Ill. 6:05 Mon. 16 Indiana State at LSU (Preseason NIT) Baton Rouge, La. TBD Mon. 16 Auburn at Missouri State Springfield, Mo. 7:05 Tues. 17 INS vs. TBD (WKU/Milwaukee) Baton Rouge, La. TBD Tues. 17 Indianapolis at Southern Illinois Carbondale, Ill. 7:05 Tues. 17 Florida A&M at Creighton Omaha, Neb. 7:05 Tues. 17 Iowa State at Drake Des Moines, Iowa 7:07 Wed. 18 SIU Edwardsville at Evansville Evansville, Ind. 7:05 Wed. 18 Arkansas Monticello at Wichita St. Wichita, Kan. 7:05 Fri. 20 Colorado State at Indiana State Terre Haute, Ind. 7:05 ET Fri. 20 Md.-E. Shore at MSU Springfield, Mo. 8:05 Fri. 20 UNI vs. DePaul (Paradise Jam) St. Thomas, V.I. 12:05 Fri. 20 Drake vs. Georgia State Daytona, Fla. 12:15 Sat. 21 North Florida at Illinois State Normal, Ill. 4:05 Sat. 21 Southern Illinois at UNLV Las Vegas, Nev. 9:05 Sat. 21 Butler at Evansville Evansville, Ind. 7:05 Sat. 21 Drake vs. Akron (Glenn Wilkes Classic) Daytona, Fla. 12:15 Sat. 21 Citadel at MSU Springfield, Mo. 8:05 Sat. 21 UNI vs. TBD (Tenn./E. Carolina) St. Thomas, V.I. TBD Sun. 22 Arkansas-Little Rock at Creighton Omaha, Neb. 2:05 Sun. 22 Drake vs. Central Florida Daytona, Fla. 2:30 Sun. 22 E. Mich. at MSU Springfield, Mo. 8:05 Sun. 22 Wofford at Bradley (Las Vegas Invite) Peoria, Ill. 6:05 Mon. 23 Illinois State at Illinois-Chicago Chicago, Ill. 7:00 Mon. 23 UNI vs. TBD (Paradise Jam) St. Thomas, V.I. TBD Mon. 23 WSU vs. Pittsburgh (ESPN2) (CBE Classic) Kansas City, Mo. 6:30 Mon. 23 INS Consolation Round (Preseason NIT) TBD TBD Tues. 24 WSU vs. Iowa or Texas (TV TBD) Kansas City, Mo. TBD Tues. 24 Presbyterian at Bradley (Las Vegas Invite) Peoria, Ill. 7:05 Wed. 25 INS Semifinal Round (Preseason NIT) New York, N.Y. TBD Thurs. 26 CU vs. Michigan [ESPN2] Orlando, Fla. 11:00 AM Fri. 27 CU vs. TBD (Marquette or Xavier) Orlando, Fla. TBD Fri. 27 Illinois St. vs. Norfolk St. Normal, Ill. 6:05 Fri. 27 INS Championship Round New York, N.Y. TBD Fri. 27 Bradley vs. Oklahoma State Las Vegas, Nev. 7:05 Sat. 28 BU vs.TBD (Illinois or Utah) Las Vegas, Nev. TBD Sat. 28 Drake at Austin Peay Clarksville, Tenn. 7:00 Sat. 28 Evansville at Miami (Ohio) Oxford, Ohio TBD Sat. 28 Illinois St. vs. SEMO (Basketball Travelers) Normal, Ill. 6:05 Sat. 28 Northern Illinois at UNI Cedar Falls, Iowa 7:05 Sat. 28 Illinois-Chicago at Southern Illinois Carbondale, Ill. 7:05 Sat. 28 Wichita State at Cleveland State Cleveland, Ohio 1:05 Sat. 28 Tulsa at Missouri State Springfield, Mo. 7:05 Sun. 29 Creighton vs. TBD [TV TBD] Orlando, Fla. TBD Sun. 29 ILS vs. St. Bonaventure Normal, Ill. 3:35 Sun. 29 Indiana State at Arkansas State Jonesboro, Ark. 7:05 Mon. 30 Alcorn State at Wichita State Wichita, Kan. 7:05 December Tues. 1 Evansville at Tennessee Tech Cookeville, Tenn. TBD Wed. 2 Bradley at Northern Illinois DeKalb, Ill. 7:05 Wed. 2 Missouri State at Arkansas-Little Rock Little Rock, Ark. 7:35 Wed. 2 UNI at Iowa State Ames, Iowa 7:05 Thurs. 3 Texas Southern at Wichita State Wichita, Kan. 7:05 Fri. 4 Alabama State at Evansville Evansville, Ind. 7:05 Fri. 4 Drake vs. SIU Edwardsville Des Moines, Iowa 7:30 Sat. 5 DU vs. N. Dakota/UT-Arlington Des Moines, Iowa 7:30 Sat. 5 Central Michigan at Illinois State Normal, Ill. 7:05 Sat. 5 Air Force at Missouri State Springfield, Mo. 7:05 Sat. 5 Southern Illinois at Saint Louis St. Louis, Mo. 7:05 Sat. 5 South Carolina-Upstate at Wichita State Wichita, Kan. 7:05 Sun. 6 Nebraska at Creighton Omaha, Neb. 4:05 Mon. 7 Western Carolina at Bradley Peoria, Ill. 7:05 Tues. 8 Evansville at Western Kentucky Bowling Green, Ky. 7:05 Tues. 8 Iowa at UNI Cedar Falls, Iowa 7:05 Wed. 9 Ball State at Indiana State Terre Haute, Ind. 8:05 ET Wed. 9 Tennessee-Martin at Missouri State Springfield, Mo. 7:05 Wed. 9 S. Illinois at Southeast Missouri State Cape Girardeau, Mo. 7:45 Wed. 9 Wichita State at Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City, Mo. 7:05 Fri. 11 Drake vs. South Dakota (Drake Invitational) Des Moines, Iowa 7:05 Sat. 12 Missouri State at Arkansas State Jonesboro, Ark. 7:05 Sat. 12 Alabama State at Southern Illinois Carbondale, Ill. 3:05 Sat. 12 Texas Christian at Wichita State Wichita, Kan. 7:05 Sat. 12 Drake vs. Binghamton (Drake Invitational) Des Moines, Iowa 5:00 Sat. 12 Creighton at George Mason Fairfax, Va. 11:05 AM Sat. 12 Siena at UNI Cedar Falls, Iowa 7:05
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
SIU coach Chris Lowery celebrates during his team’s game last year against Saint Louis University. Sun. 13 Oral Roberts at Indiana State Terre Haute, Ind. 7:05 ET Sun. 13 Niagara at Illinois State Normal, Ill. 2:05 Wed. 16 Illinois State at Ohio Athens, Ohio TBD Wed. 16 Savannah State at Creighton Omaha, Neb. 7:05 Wed. 16 Loyola at Bradley Peoria, Ill. 7:05 Thurs. 17 Georgia Southern at Evansville Evansville, Ind. 7:05 Sat. 19 Creighton at New Mexico Albuquerque, N.M. 8:05 Sat. 19 Drake at Iowa (Big Ten Network) Iowa City, Iowa 5:35 Sat. 19 Tennessee-Martin at Evansville Evansville, Ind. 7:05 Sat. 19 Illinois State at Utah Salt Lake City, Utah 5:00 Sat. 19 Missouri State at Saint Louis St. Louis, Mo. 7:05 Sat. 19 Southern Illinois vs. San Diego Las Vegas, Nev. 6:15 Sat. 19 Texas Tech at Wichita State Wichita, Kan. 7:05 Sat. 19 UNI at North Dakota Grand Forks, N.D. 1:05 Sat. 19 Indiana State at Toledo Toledo, Ohio 7:05 ET Sun. 20 S. Illinois vs. San Francisco Las Vegas, Nev. 6:15 Sun. 20 Bradley at Iowa State Ames, Iowa 1:00 Mon. 21 North Dakota State at Wichita State Wichita, Kan. 7:05 Tues. 22 San Diego State at Drake Des Moines, Iowa 8:05 Tues. 22 Evansville at Austin Peay Clarksville, Tenn. 7:00 Tues. 22 Missouri State at Arkansas Fayetteville, Ark. 7:05 Tues. 22 Houston Baptist at Creighton Omaha, Neb. 7:05 Tues. 22 Grambling at Illinois State Normal, Ill. 7:05 Wed. 23 IUPUI at Indiana State Terre Haute, Ind. 7:05 ET Wed. 23 Wyoming at UNI Cedar Falls, Iowa 7:05 Tues. 29 *Missouri State at Evansville Evansville, Ind. 7:05 Tues. 29 *Indiana State at Southern Illinois Carbondale, Ill. 7:05 Tues. 29 *Wichita State at Illinois State Normal, Ill. 7:05 Tues. 29 *Bradley at Drake Des Moines, Iowa 7:05 Tues. 29 *UNI at Creighton Omaha, Neb. 7:05 January Fri. 1 *Creighton at Indiana State Terre Haute, Ind. 1:05 Fri. 1 *Illinois State at Missouri State Springfield, Mo. 7:05 Fri. 1 *Southern Illinois at Bradley Peoria, Ill. 7:05 Fri. 1 *Drake at Wichita State Wichita, Kan. 7:05 Fri. 1 *Evansville at UNI Cedar Falls, Iowa 7:05 Sun. 3 *Southern Illinois at Illinois St. (ESPNU) Normal, Ill. 7:00 Sun. 3 *Indiana State at Drake Des Moines, Iowa 6:00 Sun. 3 *Creighton at Evansville Evansville, Ind. 2:05 Sun. 3 *Missouri State at UNI Cedar Falls, Iowa 1:05 Sun. 3 *Bradley at Wichita State Wichita, Kan. 2:05 Wed. 6 *Illinois State at Evansville Evansville, Ind. 7:05 Wed. 6 *UNI at Southern Illinois (ESPNU) Carbondale, Ill. 8:00 Wed. 6 *Wichita State at Missouri State Springfield, Mo. 7:05 Wed. 6 *Indiana State at Bradley Peoria, Ill. 7:05 Wed. 6 *Drake at Creighton Omaha, Neb. 7:05 Sat. 9 *Bradley at Missouri State Springfield, Mo. 2:05 Sat. 9 *UNI at Illinois State (ESPN2) Normal, Ill. 3:00 Sat. 9 *Drake at Southern Illinois (MVC TV) Carbondale, Ill. 6:35 Sat. 9 *Creighton at Wichita State (ESPNU) Wichita, Kan. TBD Sun. 10 *Evansville at Indiana State (MVC TV) Terre Haute, Ind. 12:35 Tues. 12 *Missouri State at Drake Des Moines, Iowa 7:05 Tues. 12 *Bradley at UNI (ESPNU) Cedar Falls, Iowa 8:00 Wed. 13 *S. Illinois at Creighton (MVC TV) Omaha, Neb. 8:05 Wed. 13 *Evansville at Illinois State Normal, Ill. 7:05 Wed. 13 *Wichita State at Indiana State Terre Haute, Ind. 6:05 Sat. 16 *Southern Illinois at Evansville Evansville, Ind. 7:05 Sat. 16 *Wichita State at Creighton (ESPN2) Omaha, Neb. 4:00 Sat. 16 *Missouri State at Bradley Peoria, Ill. 2:05
Sat. 16 *Indiana State at UNI Cedar Falls, Iowa 7:05 Sun. 17 *Illinois State at Drake (ESPNU) Des Moines, Iowa 7:00 Tues. 19 *Indiana State at Missouri St. (MVC TV) Springfield, Mo. 7:05 Tues. 19 *UNI at Wichita State (ESPNU) Wichita, Kan. 8:00 Wed. 20 *Creighton at Illinois State Normal, Ill. 7:05 Wed. 20 *Bradley at Southern Illinois Carbondale, Ill. 7:05 Wed. 20 *Drake at Evansville Evansville, Ind. 7:05 Sat. 23 *Wichita State at Drake (MVC TV) Des Moines, Iowa 1:05 Sat. 23 *Illinois State at Southern Illinois Carbondale, Ill. 2:05 Sat. 23 *Evansville at Bradley Peoria, Ill. 2:05 Sun. 24 *Missouri State at Creighton (ESPNU) Omaha, Neb. 7:00 Sun. 24 *UNI at Indiana State (MVC TV) Terre Haute, Ind. 1:05 Mon. 25 Western Kentucky at Southern Illinois Carbondale, Ill. 7:05 Wed. 27 *Evansville at Missouri State Springfield, Mo. 7:05 Wed. 27 *Illinois State at Wichita St. (MVC TV) Wichita, Kan. 6:05 Wed. 27 *Creighton at Bradley Peoria, Ill. 7:05 Wed. 27 *Drake at UNI Cedar Falls, Iowa 7:05 Thurs. 28 *Southern Illinois at Indiana State Terre Haute, Ind. 6:05 Sat. 30 *Creighton at Drake Des Moines, Iowa 7:05 Sat. 30 *Bradley at Illinois State (MVC TV) Normal, Ill. 4:35 Sat. 30 *UNI at Missouri State Springfield, Mo. 2:05 Sun. 31 *Indiana State at Evansville Evansville, Ind. 2:05 Sun. 31 *Wichita State at S. Illinois (ESPNU) Carbondale, Ill. 7:00 February Tues. 2 *Drake at Bradley Peoria, Ill. 7:05 Wed. 3 *Illinois State at Indiana State Terre Haute, Ind. 6:05 Wed. 3 *Missouri State at Southern Illinois Carbondale, Ill. 7:05 Wed. 3 *Wichita State at UNI Cedar Falls, Iowa 7:05 Wed. 3 *Evansville at Creighton Omaha, Neb. 7:05 Sat. 6 *Bradley at Evansville (MVC TV) Evansville, Ind. 4:05 Sat. 6 *Creighton at Missouri State Springfield, Mo. 7:05 Sat. 6 *Southern Illinois at UNI (ESPN2) Cedar Falls, Iowa 5:00 Sat. 6 *Indiana State at Wichita State Wichita, Kan. 7:05 Sat. 6 *Drake at Illinois State Normal, Ill. 7:05 Tues. 9 *Wichita State at Evansville Evansville, Ind. 7:05 Tues. 9 *Indiana State at Creighton Omaha, Neb. 7:05 Tues. 9 *Illinois State at Bradley Peoria, Ill. 7:05 Wed. 10 *UNI at Drake Des Moines, Iowa 7:05 Wed. 10 *Southern Illinois at Missouri State Springfield, Mo. 7:05 Sat. 13 *Drake at Indiana State Terre Haute, Ind. 1:05 Sat. 13 *Evansville at Southern Illinois Carbondale, Ill. 2:05 Sat. 13 *Illinois State at Creighton Omaha, Neb. 2:05 Sat. 13 *UNI at Bradley (MVC TV) Peoria, Ill. 1:05 Sun. 14 *Missouri State at Wichita St. (ESPNU) Wichita, Kan. 7:00 Tues. 16 *Bradley at Indiana State Terre Haute, Ind. 6:05 Tues. 16 *Creighton at UNI (MVC TV) Cedar Falls, Iowa 7:05 Tues. 16 *Southern Illinois at Drake Des Moines, Iowa 7:05 Wed. 17 *Evansville at Wichita State Wichita, Kan. 7:05 Wed. 17 *Missouri State at Illinois St. (MVC TV) Normal, Ill. 8:05 Sat. 20 BracketBusters TBD TBD Home: BU, CU, UE, ILS, MSU, UNI, SIU Away: Drake, Indiana St., Wichita St. Tues. 23 *Creighton at S. Illinois (MVC TV) Carbondale, Ill. 7:05 Tues. 23 *UNI at Evansville Evansville, Ind. 7:05 Wed. 24 *Drake at Missouri State Springfield, Mo. 7:05 Wed. 24 *Indiana State at Illinois State Normal, Ill. 7:05 Wed. 24 *Wichita State at Bradley Peoria, Ill. 7:05 Sat. 27 *Bradley at Creighton Omaha, Neb. TBD Sat. 27 *Evansville at Drake Des Moines, Iowa TBD Sat. 27 *Missouri State at Indiana State Terre Haute, Ind. TBD Sat. 27 *Illinois State at UNI Cedar Falls, Iowa TBD Sat. 27 *Southern Illinois at Wichita State Wichita, Kan. TBD *denotes conference game MVC Tournament Scottrade Center, St. Louis Thursday, March 4 Session I Game 1 — No. 8 seed vs. No. 9 seed, 6:05 p.m. Game 2 — No. 7 seed vs. No. 10 seed, 8:35 p.m. Friday, March 5 Session II Game 3 — No. 1 seed vs. winner Game 1, 12:05 p.m. (Fox Sports Midwest, Comcast) Game 4 — No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 seed, 2:35 p.m. (Fox Sports Midwest, Comcast) Session III Game 5 — No. 2 seed vs. winner Game 2, 6:05 p.m. (Fox Sports Midwest, Comcast) Game 6 — No. 3 seed vs. No. 6 seed, 8:35 p.m. (Fox Sports Midwest, Comcast) Saturday, March 6 Session IV Game 7 — Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 1:35 p.m. (Fox Sports Midwest, Comcast) Game 8 — Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 4:05 p.m. (Fox Sports Midwest, Comcast) Sunday, March 7 Session V Game 9 — Championship, 1:05 p.m. (CBS)
THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO
SIU forward Carlton Fay drives to the basket last year during the Salukis’ game against Nevada.
2008-09 MVC STANDINGS Team UNI CU ILS BU UE WSU SIU DU INS MSU
Men Conf 14-4 14-4 11-7 10-8 8-10 8-10 8-10 7-11 7-11 3-15
Overall 23-11 27-8 24-10 21-15 17-14 17-17 13-18 17-16 11-21 11-20
Team ILS CU DU BU INS UNI MSU SIU UE WSU
Women Conf Overall 15-3 27-8 14-4 22-12 12-6 19-12 11-7 21-10 10-8 14-16 9-9 11-19 6-12 10-20 5-13 9-19 4-14 15-19 4-14 13-18
2008-09 MVC STATS LEADERS Men Scoring 1. Shy Ely, UE 18.9 2. Booker Woodfox, CU 15.8 3. Josh Young, DU 15.4 4. Champ Oguchi, ILS 15.2 5. Theron Wilson, BU 14.0 Osiris Eldridge, ILS 14.0 7. Sam Maniscalco, BU 12.6 8. Jay Tunnell, INS 12.5 9. Jonathan Cox, DU 12.5 10. P’Allen Stinnett, CU 12.5 Rebounding 1. Jonathan Cox, DU 8.5 2. Dinma Odiakosa, ILS 7.5 3. Theron Wilson, BU 7.3 4. Ramon Clemente, WSU7.1 5. Chris Cooks, MSU 6.5 6. Jordan Eglseder, UNI 6.4 7. Jay Tunnell, INS 6.2 8. Nate Garner, UE 6.2 9. Osiris Eldridge, ILS 6.2 10. Carl Richard, INS 6.0
Women Scoring 1. Kristi Cirone, ILS 2. Casey Garrison, MSU 3. Monica Rogers, BU 4. Ashley Austin, UE 5. Marcy Sudbeck, WSU 6. Chevelle Herring, CU 7. Kim Wypiszynski,UNI 8. Megan Neuvirth, CU Kelsey Woodard, CU 10. Jasmine Gibson, SIU Rebounding 1. Megan Neuvirth, CU 2. Marcy Sudbeck, WSU 3. Sonya Harris, BU 4. Monica Rogers, BU 5. Nicolle Lewis, ILS 6. Erica Smith,SIU 7. Ashleen Bracey, ILS 8. Shannon Novosel, UE 9. Daria Frazier, WSU 10. Robyn Jennings, UE
18.8 15.9 13.2 13.2 13.2 13.0 13.0 12.9 12.9 12.9 9.6 8.5 8.5 8.1 7.2 6.5 6.4 6.3 6.3 6.2
The Southern Illinoisan Friday, November 13, 2009 Page 9
Page 10 Friday, November 13, 2009 The Southern Illinoisan
Tiber looks to rewrite history for Saluki women First-year Saluki coach looks to bring Division II success to the Missouri Valley Conference BY PETE SPITLER THE SOUTHERN
ALAN ROGERS / THE SOUTHERN
Southern Illinois women’s basketball coach Missy Tiber leads her team during an exhibition game against Washington University on Nov. 7 at SIU Arena.
Seven months ago, the history of the Southern Illinois University women’s basketball team changed significantly with the resignation of Dana Eikenberg and the hiring of Missy Tiber less than a month later. Tiber, who turned Division II Tusculum College into a proven winner in just four years, has nine new faces, a new, uptempo offense and a new approach to solving the problems of a program that had gone 19-39 the last two seasons. “It almost been like a roller coaster ride,” Tiber said. “That’s what practice has kinda felt like. We get some gains and feel like we’re getting to the top of that hill and then go down really fast.” At the news conference announcing her hiring in April, Tiber mentioned her Pioneers teams averaged 85 points per game and she would push to bring the Salukis’ production to that level. That seems like a tall order for a team that averaged 60 points per game in 2008-09, but Tiber’s 101-38 career coaching record says otherwise. “It’s a lot of running,” said junior forward Katrina Swingler, the lone returning starter from last season, on the new offense. “We have a lot of work to do on transition and me getting more into shape.” Swingler averaged 7.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season, appearing in all 28 games while starting 19. The Salukis will have to fill the holes left by leading scorer Jasmine Gibson, who finished her career as
ALAN ROGERS / THE SOUTHERN
SIU’s Eboni Crayton tries to put up a shot while under pressure from Washington University’s Janice Evans (left) and Dani Hoover during a game Nov. 7 at SIU Arena.
the 20th player in Saluki history to score 1,000 points, and leading rebounder Erica Smith, one of three guards in the country to lead her team in boards three straight seasons. One player who could help in that regard is senior transfer Stephany Neptune, who followed Tiber from Tusculum. A former Division II All-American, Neptune brings an understanding of the new offense and veteran leadership to the Salukis. She averaged 11.7 points and 10.3 rebounds a game in three seasons for the Pioneers. “My main thing this year may be to stay out of foul trouble,” Neptune said with a laugh. “I just want to win some games. I would love to win 18, but we’ve just got to take it day-by-day.” Tiber has a tough schedule in her first outing as a Division I coach, including a meeting with preseason No. 20/22 Vanderbilt University in the Salukis’ regular-season home opener Nov. 18. The Commodores finished the 2008-09 season ranked eighth in the nation. “I had someone ask me at the (Missouri Valley
Conference) media day how I excited I was about (Vanderbilt),” Tiber said. “I said, ‘You may be excited, but I’m not overly excited about it because they’re a top 10 team in the nation.’” As difficult as the road ahead seems to be, it is not without promise for SIU. Freshman point guard Katerina Garcia is expected to alleviate a program need when she returns from a preseason leg injury in four weeks and the Salukis approach this season controversy-free for the first time in several years. Until that time, Neptune has been named as the team’s starter at the point. “She has been tremendous to have along with me at this stage,” Tiber said. “We received a waiver from the NCAA so that she wouldn’t have to sit out this year. “What she brings is a mindset that she just came from winning back-to-back (South Atlantic Conference) championships and takes that and leads our team in practices to teach some of these young kids.” pete.spitler@thesouthern.com 618-351-5073
The Southern Illinoisan Friday, November 13, 2009 Page 11
Page 12 Friday, November 13, 2009 The Southern Illinoisan