Saluki Basketball 2013

[bedsitter23]

Although I have since moved, I like keeping tabs on the Southern Illinois University basketball team.  This means this year, like last year, I went to see them play at Drake.

A decade ago, they were a dominant team in the mid majors- going to the Sweet Sixteen in 2002 and 2007 (losing to Kansas by three points).  I still watch them on tv every chance I get.

It’s odd.  I used to watch Jordan-era Bulls almost religiously but I don’t make much time for the NBA anymore.  Credit to the NBA that they once again have an exciting product, but as in Nascar, I feel  only the last few minutes of an NBA game are worth watching.  Plus, I never really supported a team like I did those Bulls.  I tried a couple of times with Kevin Garnett-era Timberwolves and Mark Cuban’s Dallas Mavericks (Now, I just watch Shark Tank every week).

So, I get my basketball fix with the mid-majors and the Missouri Valley Conference.  There are two stories about this year’s Salukis who were picked to finish last and indeed finished last under new coach Barry Hinson.  January showed the Salukis as bad as everyone said they would be, losing seven games out of eight.  Yet, somewhere in there, Hinson took control and turned things around.  The Salukis won six of their last eight games including beating a really good Wichita State team and beating Drake on the road.

The Salukis lacked a big man, but won by being scrappy and fighting for the ball.  Nothing personified the Salukis than their Senior Guard Six-foot-one Jeff Early who led the nation in rebounds for players his size.  Sophmore Dantiel Daniels had requested to be transferred (The Salukis biggest problem was losing players and recruits who wanted out once Coach Lowrey had been fired), but stayed and has turned out to be pretty good.  Junior Desmar Jackson transferred from Wyoming and when he’s not in foul trouble, is a great all-around player and has an eye on the NBA.

Tonight, the Salukis play in the MVC tournament ranked tenth out of ten teams, but arguably the hottest team going into the tournament.  I will be watching.