Things Get Worse at SIU - Really

[DUShock]

Oh my lord. So I assume we'll beat Chicago State by at least 50?

Assumption is the mother of all screw-ups

[ShockBand]

A more likely scenario is we get up by 30 or so at the under 4 TO, HCGM calls off the dogs and puts in McLovin' (my group's nickname for Vautravers - for the last few years Brown was "Tater") and Co. into the game, and it rolls down to a 20 point win.

[Aargh]

I looked at points scored (on field goals) divided by the number of shots taken. That's a fairly decent stat for evaluating decision-making and shootng effiectiveness. I did that for all Valley players averaging 20+ minutes.

SIU had 4 players in the bottom 10.

[RoyalShock]

The Salukis are looking up at the abyss. Sad, sad situation. The Valley could really use a strong SIU (or Bradley or Illinois St, for that matter).

[BOBB]

The Salukis are looking up at the abyss. Sad, sad situation. The Valley could really use a strong SIU (or Bradley or Illinois St, for that matter).

The abyss is staring back and feeling nauseous.

[1972Shocker]

It really is sad to watch the implosion of the Saluki program and it has not been limited to men's basketball although, like most MVC schools that is the bell cow. Personally, I think all MVC schools would benefit from SIU getting its men's basketball program rebuilt. The longer they drag this on the tougher it is going to be.

Coach Lowery has not done himself any favors either by hanging on. The longer he overseas this mess the more toxic he becomes to potential future employers. He is going to have to rebuild his career from the bottom up also if he wants to stay in coaching.

SIU is currently at #326 in the RPI (out of 344 schools). They have 3 winnable games coming up at Western Michigan (0-6), at Northern Illinois (0-6) and home against SIU-Edwardsville (0-6). If they lose two or three of those games SIU may very well find itself at #344. I would not be shocked if this team went winless in MVC play, especially if Bocot is charged and found guilty and Lowery hangs on through the end of the year.

They are averaging less than 3,500 in announced/paid attendance at home and are probably actually drawing 1,500 - 2,000 to their home games and no doubt their ancillary financial support is drying up. Not sure how they can not afford to make a change despite Lowery's $750k per year salary. I think he has 2 years left on that after this year.

IMHO, they could use a total house cleaning from the AD on down.

[The Mad Hatter]

If I recall correctly, I believe they did recently replace their AD, so other changes may be coming soon.

[1972Shocker]

If I recall correctly, I believe they did recently replace their AD, so other changes may be coming soon.

AFAIK Mario Moccia is stil the AD and has been at SIU since 2006 and is responsible for Lowery's current contract. A real Lew Perkins.

[The Mad Hatter]

AFAIK Mario Moccia is stil the AD and has been at SIU since 2006 and is repsonsible for the Lowery's current contract. A real Lew Perkins.

Ok. I don't know why I was thinking there had been a change. On the other hand, how can we claim he should be fired. After all his bio states:

Under the leadership of director of athletics Mario Moccia, the future has never been brighter for Saluki Athletics.

http://www.siusalukis.com/genrel/moccia_mario00.html

[1972Shocker]

Simply blinding! :cool:

[_kai_]

Ok. I don't know why I was thinking there had been a change. On the other hand, how can we claim he should be fired. After all his bio states:



http://www.siusalukis.com/genrel/moccia_mario00.html

[Aargh]

I checked out the Saluki board to see if there was any more info about Bocot. There isn't, but the sentiment about firing Lowery now includes dumping the AD as well.