Saluki Central - jczar78's Blog

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jczar78's Blog

Saluki Central

Posted on November 18, 2008 at 03:52 AM.

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This Thursday my SIU Salukis take on the Duke Blue Devils in the semi-finals of the coaches vs. cancer tournament at MSG. I am psyched about this game, for a Mid-Major like Southern this is a great chance to get some national exposure. Well they have sort of been in the spotlight with their recent run of success but still any chance you get to knock off one of the big boys it�s a plus.

For the past seven years or so the Salukis have been one of the top team in the Missouri Valley Conference and this year figures for more of the same. For those that don�t know the Salukis go into this year with quite a bit of uncertainty. They are a very young team, which will be lead by Senior Bryan Mullins and Sophomore Carlton Fray. But ultimately the fate of this team will rest on the shoulders of some very talented freshmen. For most mid-majors this would spell doom but Southern has a very good recruiting class coming in. They landed the reigning Mr. Basketball for the state of Illinois in Kevin Dillard; they also landed 6-8 Anthony Booker and 6-4 Torres Roundtree, two of the top prospects from the state of Missouri. Add to that Ryan Hare one of the top 2008 prospects in the state of Illinois. Talent like this is rarely seen in the MVC let alone all on one team.

The hopes are high that this incoming class will have a similar impact to that of the Fab Five in Michigan. Of course the talent is not the same but this will be the core that could maintain the Salukis as a power in the MVC for years to come. Well I�ll try to have more tidbits on the Salukis as the season goes on and for sure if we knock off Duke. I expect a good game on Thursday and if anything I want to see how this young team handles itself against Duke.

Go DAWGS!!!!!