GETTING INSIDE

Southern Illinois continues to be the Valley’s mystery guest. To its credit, it hasn’t suffered any horrible losses that give fans and coaches headaches. Not every MVC school can say that.

On the other hand, Southern Illinois hasn’t won any games that make fans and coaches dream about big things in March. The Salukis are consistent and predictable.

That may be a relief for coach Chris Lowery after last season’s 13-18 record.

“We have to keep everybody together,” Lowery said before his team headed to Las Vegas for games on Dec. 19 and Dec. 20. “The key is playing the guys have played well for us, keep everybody playing at a high level.”

Southern Illinois lost on the road to UNLV and St. Louis. Lowery isn’t despondent about either.

The Salukis led UNLV, 18-6, early in the game and was ahead, 56-53, midway through the second half. At St. Louis, Southern Illinois led at halftime. It played without senior guard Tony Freeman and with three other players battling injuries.

“Our youth really showed,” Lowery said.

That game also showed Lowery the importance of Freeman, who is playing his one and only season with Southern Illinois after transferring from Iowa. He averages 13.2 points and takes pressure off leading scorer Kevin Dillard.

Freeman has made 10-of-17 three-point shots in his last two games.

“When he plays, he always gives us a chance,” Lowery said. “He’s a shot-maker.”

Freeman provides more than scoring. He is Southern Illinois’ only senior. When he plays, everything works more smoothly.

“He brought a great amount of leadership and our guys look for him,” Lowery said. “When he’s not in the game, we try to do to much.”

NOTES, QUOTES

• Southern Illinois made 31-of-51 shots (61 percent) in an 82-63 victory over Alabama State. It was their first shooting night over 60 percent in 80 games.

• The Salukis have scored 40 or more points in a half nine times. Last season, Southern Illinois scored 40 or more eight times.

January At A Glance:   Southern Illinois’ MVC schedule is front-loaded with home games, so a good start is critical. The Salukis play seven (one non-conference) home games between Dec. 20 and Jan. 31. That makes a two-game road stretch at Bradley (Jan. 1) and Illinois State (Jan. 3) interesting. That’s a tough back-to-back, one that MVC teams fear. If the Salukis can split or sweep, January becomes a month where they can establish themselves as a contender.

Quote To Note:   “It’s too early in the season to say this is a must-win. I think if we play well, good things will happen for us.”—Coach Chris Lowery, on games against San Diego and San Francisco in Las Vegas.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Season Recap:   Nobody will know what to make of the Salukis until next month. Victories over schools such as Tennessee-Martin and Southeast Missouri State are good for a young team to gain confidence. There is no way to tell what it means when the Salukis hit the 18-game MVC grinder. The fact that Southern Illinois is scoring more effectively is a good sign. Southern Illinois scored a Chris Lowery-era high 91 points against Tennessee-Martin. Moving Anthony Booker to the bench looks like a good move. Carlton Fay continues to be consistent whether starting or off the bench.

Player Rotation:   Usual Starters—PG Kevin Dillard, SG Tony Freeman, G John Freeman, PF Carlton Fay, C Nick Evans. Key Subs—F Anthony Booker, G Kendal Brown-Surles, SF Justin Bocot.

Game Review:  

St. Louis 71, Southern Illinois 61

Southern Illinois 86, Southeast Missouri State 65

Southern Illinois 82, Alabama State 63

Game Preview:  

Vs. San Diego in Las Vegas, Saturday, Dec. 19

Vs. San Francisco in Las Vegas, Sunday, Dec. 20

Vs. Indiana State, Tuesday, Dec. 29

At Bradley, Friday, Jan. 1

At Illinois State, Sunday, Jan. 3

In Focus:   The Salukis could help themselves with a victory over San Diego, a team that owns a mystifying resume. The Toreros defeated Oklahoma, Houston and Stanford in November. They also lost five straight, beginning with a 93-56 loss to Washington State. San Francisco will come to Vegas losers of seven of eight games.

Roster Report:  

• F Anthony Booker averaged 11 points and nine rebounds in two games off the bench. For the season, he averages 7.1 points and 4.4 rebounds. Lowery has tried many approaches to get more production from Booker, rated the Valley’s top recruit as a freshman. He is a sophomore, so there is plenty of time for him to make a big splash.

• Danger sign: G Kevin Dillard’s three-point shooting is slipping dramatically. He leads Southern Illinois with an average of 15.4 points. But he is 10-of-33 (30.3 percent) from three-point range. Last season, he made 57-of- 126 (45.2). Most of the misses came in a three-game stretch when he went 3-for- 18 against UNLV, Illinois-Chicago and St. Louis.