SIU at Indiana

[Da Coach]

SIU at Indiana game is on ESPN.

Unfortunately, the announcing team includes Sean McDonough and Bill Rafftery, who are OK with me. But for some reason, ESPN felt they needed to also saddle the American public with Jay "BCS" Bilas. He is terrible. He just said the entire starting lineup for SIU are all juniors and seniors. Sophomore Bryan Mullins would beg to differ.

SIU up 11-3 with about 14 min left in the first half.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/boxscore?gid=200612170271

[Big Mike]

Let's go SIU......remember your a member of the BIG VALLEY!

[MacabreMob]

I am SO glad I don't have to root for a team in the B10 - their officials in this game seem sub-par.

[Da Coach]

Kelvin Sampson and the Hoosier team was ready for SIU. Their defense is frustrating the Salukis. They have now gone close to 10 minutes with just 2 points scored.
16-13 Indiana with 6 minutes left.

[MacabreMob]

And I still believe SIU is the WORST team to watch on tv.

My eyes are bleeding!

[MacabreMob]

I am amazed at how many walks SIU has been called for. I thought they were a team that returns a lot of players - something I thought an experienced team would not be guilty of doing.

[Da Coach]

SIU has gone on an offensive blitz to reach 30 points already with15 minutes left in the game!

SIU leads 30-28. Go Salukis!

[MacabreMob]

SIU has gone on an offensive blitz to reach 30 points already with15 minutes left in the game!

SIU leads 30-28. Go Salukis!

It really appears Tatum would prefer a faster style offense.

[MickeyT]

Is there anyone who wouldn't?

[BUBraves2006]

It's OVERRRRRR ... I guess the MVC can't win 'em all. SIU down 10

[Da Coach]

I never thought I would see an SIU team fold as easily as they did in that last part of the game. Tough luck Salukis. The officiating took them out of their game a little.

Final score
SIU 47
Indiana 57

[MacabreMob]

SIU is "offensively-challenged".

They play great D. They slow the game down (walking the ball up).

Reminds me of a team I root for under a different coach - hmmmmm - who could that be?

If SIU wins the MVC I will eat an old pair of socks. (with LOTS of Bar-B-Q sauce)

[BUBraves2006]

SIU is "offensively-challenged".

They play great D. They slow the game down (walking the ball up).

Reminds me of a team I root for under a different coach - hmmmmm - who could that be?

If SIU wins the MVC I will eat an old pair of socks. (with LOTS of Bar-B-Q sauce)

The way the Shockers are playing, I can't see how anyone can beat them (barring injuries)...

Err.. let me rephrase...I see them as the HEAVY favorite to win the league. I think a certain team from a certain city on a river could take them down for a game!

[Biff]

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/boxscore?gid=200612170271

Thanks for all the links to this game and the others you post for us.
The things I notice about this game in the box score is that Mullins, their point guard had zero assists! and 3 turnovers.
Falker and Shaw had just 6 rebounds combined!
SIU's bench was supposed to be better this year, but it is worse. They got almost nothing from the bench players.
The starting guards- Mullins, Tatum, and Young had 11 turnovers among them.
Tony Young and Jamaal Tatum were their best shooters the last couple years, but this year they have been pretty bad. Tatum was shooting only 33% for the year, Young 42%. Tatum kept them in the game tonight, but Young and the others didn't help much.

Young will probably come alive and shoot 12-15 against Bradley, though. SIU still has a nice record (7-2) and a decent RPI (dropped to 15), but they don't look as scary anymore.

[Scouter]

When did Falker learn how to dribble? He went one-on-one from the top of the key a few times, which I don't remember seeing at all last year.

All in all, an ugly game to watch because of the way both coaches coach, but also fun to watch the two teams slug it out on both ends. I hate the way SIU plays, but they're pretty darn good at it.