Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's Basketball Picked 2nd in Missouri Valley Conference
10/29/2002 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 29, 2002
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Coming off last year's Sweet 16 season, the Salukis are projected to contend for the conference title again in 2002-03, according to a preseason poll of Missouri Valley Conference beat writers, radio announcers and sports information directors.
The Salukis were picked to finish second behind Creighton, the MVC announced Tuesday. In addition, senior guard Kent Williams and senior forward Jermaine Dearman were picked for the preseason all-conference team, joining Creighton's Kyle Korver, Illinois State's Baboucarr Bojang and Drake's Luke McDonald.
Here are excerpts from Tuesday's media day.
Head coach Bruce Weber: "It's a new season and we have to leave last year behind us. We have good seniors and good leadership from our seniors. And our sophomores, Stetson Hairston and Darren Brooks, are very good. The key is what will the other guys do? We'll be competitive, but there's a lot of basketball to be played."
"We didn't add anyone who is comparable to Rolan Roberts. We have Jermaine and Sylvester Willis, and we are hoping for contributions from Brad Korn and Josh Warren. Those are our four big guys."
Kent Williams: "We just want to take things one step at a time. This is a different team than last year and we may be playing a little differently, but our goal is to win the Valley and get back to the town."
"We're a different team without Rolan. The biggest problem now is who's going to fill that last spot? We can't rely on someone blocking shots or throwing up a ball and getting someone to dunk it if it doesn't go in. We're going to rely more on pressure and quickness."
"We expected to be picked second. Creighton has all their starters back. Coach will find a way to use Creighton as motivation. We're hungry for it again, and we want a shot at winning it instead of sitting on the couch the last week."
Jermaine Dearman: "Preseason rankings don't say much. Our team started to come together throughout last season. Our fans are asking when we're going to start. They help get us motivated for the upcoming season. We're excited."
"People are starting to hear about us. When I go back home to Indiana, people I don't even know come up and recognize me."
