STARTING 5!!!

[Snapshot9]

I hope CGM runs more screens that MT did, and the pressure defense that Marshall stated they will play sometimes to get turnovers and easy baskets.

[vbird53]

Randall Falker is an athletic, tough as nails, never quit, jarjar binks look-a-like fighter that couldn't score 10 points outside of the lane if you left him alone in the gym for a week.

Why is it necessary for those that commit to SIU to try as hard as possible to look like their mascot. I've never seen this at another University, but I can think of at least 4 Salukis (past or present) that looked exactly like the Saluki dog.

[Aargh]

Mullins looks like a guy who could run through a brick wall, but if you look at his nose it appears he's tried a few times - unsuccessfully.

[Ricky Del Rio]

Mullins looks like a guy who could run through a brick wall, but if you look at his nose it appears he's tried a few times - unsuccessfully.

My favorite description of him is "He is a linebacker, who plays point guard." While I think he is overrated by the Doggies, I gotta give it to him because he plays hard and he defends better than his body indicates.

[Ricky Del Rio]

SIU is about 2 things.....toughness and determination and that's it.


Their talent is MARGINAL. Randall Falker is an athletic, tough as nails, never quit, jarjar binks look-a-like fighter that couldn't score 10 points outside of the lane if you left him alone in the gym for a week.

They had no bench. Nobody could score outside of Tatum and Young and they were streaky. BUT they were the hardest working, most dedicated punk felons playing D1 basketball this side of Joliet prison.

Mullins would lose a game of horse to Falker.


WSU played 2 AWFUL games against SIU last year. Absolutely AWFUL. We lost by 5 and 8.


What they do is outwork, out-hustle and out gut you. That should shame anyone with talent and heart. Its time to take the fight to them, men.

If you are scared of hard work and fighters, then SIU should scare you. Otherwise its time to step up and show them we're done with their crap.

Mullins would lose a game of horse to Falker.

I love this line, but it is so true.

[Ricky Del Rio]

"Gal, if they are overplaying PJ, guarding Mantas closely and playing tough man-to-man defense, take the ball to the basket and score or drop the ball off to Ramon or Ehimen." Defend that, SIU.

Last year Mekel demonstrated he could dribble penetrate SIU's perimeter defense. SIU's perimeter D might not be as impenetrable with Tatum and Young gone.

I will admit there was no plan for dribble penetration and Gal didn't have a good plan once he penetrated. Gal got pulled when de did that. If Marshall recognizes dribble penetration of the perimeter as an offensive strategy against SIU, then there could be a plan for what to do after the penetration.

In my simplistic viewpoint, I think passing to the 7' guy after penetrating the perimeter seems like a decent plan. Or maybe feed it back out to Cooz for a 3 while the defenders are chasing the penetrater to the hoop.

EO could (conceivably) be here well in advance of Dec. 15.

Is that legal? Could WSU provide housing and meal money during the first semester for a player who's not enrolled that semester? Would Orukpe have to pay his own expenses prior to Dec. 14?

This year, I think we are going to see a lot of taking it to the rack. And next year, even more.

Our dribble penetration in the last several years has left a lot to be desired.

When was the last time we had a 2 guard, who could drive and finish? It has been awhile.

[rrshock]

PJ at the 2 will create some matchup problems for everyone in the MVC. So will a 6-7(8) 3 man, and a 7 foot center.

[SubGod22]

A 7 foot center isn't going to create matchup problems for everyone. I believe there are 4 or 5 in the Valley.

[Snapshot9]

PJ at the 2 will create some matchup problems for everyone in the MVC. So will a 6-7(8) 3 man, and a 7 foot center.

What do you consider a 'mismatch'? I consider it 3 inches or more differential in height. In case you haven't noticed, the whole league has gotten taller, not just us. 6'7" is not unusual for the 3. And we will be 'mismatched' at the 5 until Orukpe gets here, and I hope another one for '08-09 (Which I am leaning towards Stutz now, he is looking better and better).

[rrshock]

Just because they are the same height, does it mean that they are matched up well. PJ has been a 3, even 4 the past 3 years. Moving to the 2, with the skills he has from down low, and his defending ability, will create problems for other 2's. They can move the 3 man to him, then that would probably create a bigger problem for the 2 guarding our 3. I understand that 6'7" isn't a tall 3 man, but how many MVC teams have 3 (maybe 4) of them like WSU does?

I also understand that there are 4 or 5 of the 7 footers in the league, but none of them are really that athletic. Our soon to be here (hopefully) 7 footer has been said to be very athletic. That can create problems and mismatches as well.

[SpanglerFan316]

Let's get an 8' athletic recruit next year. One that "runs like a gazelle." :D

[BOBB]

Let's get an 8' athletic recruit next year. One that "runs like a gazelle." :D

[Ricky Del Rio]

A 7 foot center isn't going to create matchup problems for everyone. I believe there are 4 or 5 in the Valley.

Yes, but on 6-7 Falker, I rather have 7-0 than 6-5 as we did last year.

[Anthony2]

I know SIU people will read this. Let me be clear that not all Shocker fans are so stupid as to suggest the Salukis don't have much talent. Any team that has done what they have done has talent. Doing what Falker and Mullins do is a talent. It wins basketball games. WSU would take both in a heartbeat.

[WuDrWu]

I know SIU people will read this. Let me be clear that not all Shocker fans are so stupid as to suggest the Salukis don't have much talent. Any team that has done what they have done has talent. Doing what Falker and Mullins do is a talent. It wins basketball games. WSU would take both in a heartbeat.

Anthony,


First, no offense, but speak for yourself only please. I don't find 1 person that says SIU has no talent. I specifically said they had MARGINAL talent. I then went on to explain what they do exceptionally well. Perhaps you are need of a more detailed explanation. Some people have athletic talent, others have game smarts, some have huge heart and others have superior basketball skills. Most have some combination of these in various levels.

The SIU team, in my opinion and its an opinion shared by a majority, is more about heart and effort than basketball skill. More about athleticism than game smarts. It doesn't mean they are devoid of these other talents.

As far as SIU fans reading this and being upset or if it gets them "fired up"......who gives a rat's ass? This is a WSU board and this team will shoot off their own fireworks as far as I am concerned.