Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Bruce Weber Chat Wrap
08/07/2002 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Congratulations on another successful season. I'm excited to see what our Salukis do for an encore this year and was wondering where you feel we have improved and where you feel we need to get better to continue to build the program and gain national exposure?
Bruce Weber: I think our kids got a taste of success and throughout the summer they were working out. That taste they had has driven them to see if they can do it again. They are hungry. The key is to replace Roberts as far as what he gave us. Also, finding the team leaders.
Cambria, IL: Since it appears that you may have numerous players that can play next season, do you plan on red shirting any players and when do you start talking to player about possible red shirting? Signed, Estimator Ed.
Bruce Weber: We have had some success with reshirtting. Now we are in a position that we have some older kids established and we can do that if we want. You start talking about it after conditioning. We make suggestions but allow the players to decide. I don't want to make someone redshirt that doesn't want to.
Dean (Las Vegas): Before the Georgia game in the NCAA tournament....Jim Harrick made some comments that showed very little respect for the Salukis chances. I'm sure his attitude was adjusted during that game as the result clearly showed who the "top dawg" is! Has he talked to you at all since than and had a chance to retract his statements?
Bruce Weber: I have talked to him! I didn't realize the comments he had made, to be truthful. Some of our assistants and fans heard some things though. I think it did affect the game. I think it went to their players. When they built the lead, I think they had a letdown. They thought it would be an easy game and ended up getting tight. All of a sudden everyone was cheering for us! But he has never said anything to me about it!
John (Normal, IL): On paper Creignton looks like the MVC favorite this year. Besides yourelf and Crteigton who are some other teams to look out for?
Bruce Weber: I would think WSU may be the sleeper. There is always one team that comes out of nowhere. WSU might be that team this year. After that, Drake has made some progress and has confidence on the road. Bradley has some great young players. Northern Iowa feels good about themselves. Every year it is competitive.
Billy Dean Tutt (Melbourne, Fl): Has Indiana Renewed its contract with SIU for 02/03?
Bruce Weber: It was a two for one deal that Knight agreed to. My assistant was good friends with Pat Knight. Of course, I had a little bit of a relationship with them. They agreed to a two for one very late. We went there, they came here and we were supposed to go back for their tournament but they dropped both their tournaments. They voided the contract and offered us a one game deal at their place. We just don't know when we would be able to do it.
Rat: Bruce, are your Salukis going to schedule any games against Purdue in the near future?
Bruce Weber: I've talked to Keady about it and he does not like to play his former assistants! Right now, he has not been too receptive to playing us. And I understand. He doesn't want to see us losing and he surely doesn't want to lose to us!
Josh(Columbia, MO): Coach-
Our new center looks great...but how do you rate him with other centers in the MVC? (hey Scott from Utah.)
Bruce Weber: We lost Roberts so right now we don't have a particular person to replace him. Josh Warren is a big kid who can really play. Stefan Jabkiewicz also redshirtted last year and has made progress. We just signed Levi Jones who has two years left. He is finshing up summer classes and could give us a lot of size and depth. No one are near Roberts ability wise but we can piece them together with the rest of the squad and make up for what Roberts gave us.
Dean (Las Vegas): There have been rumors that you will take over for Gene Keady at Purdue when he retires in a few years....please put this to rest and tell us you plan to stay at SIU for a very, very long time!
Bruce Weber: Well, it's kind of a logical rumor I guess since I coached there. I was there for 18 years and we had some good success. I'm sure there are some people there that woud like me to come back but I'm happy here. I think we have a chance to continue to be successful. I'm worried about getting this team back to the NCAA tournament.
Geary (Carbondale): Do you think the Bracket Buster Tournament is a good idea?
Bruce Weber: Yes. Hopefully we will have a good team at the time. It will be great exposure. Scheduling is one of our toughest jobs. Just getting a team to come to your place and working out dates. Your season next year has a lot to do with your current schedule, etc. Getting quality teams and exposure is so important. It's a home game with a quality team so that is great for us.
Todd (Herrin,IL): Has your success helped with recruiting? Have you received any verbals this summer and how many players do you plan on signing this fall?
Bruce Weber: We haven't received any verbals yet but we are in good shape. I hope in the next month we can get something done. A lot of fans have said we can compete with the Illinois', etc. But that takes time. There is no doubt for a mid major, our exposure in the tourney helped. We have instant name recognition.
Doug (Chicago): Will Jermaine Dearman provide leadership or does that mainly fall on Kent Williams shoulders?
Bruce Weber: I think both of them will fill that role. David Carney will help as well. You are talking about two of the top players in our school's history.
Rob(Atlanta-alum.): Is the schedule for the '02-'03 season finalized and if so, who do you feel will give you the most competition from a non-conference perspective? Also, what impact will the recent decision by the courts to limit the number of exempt tournaments have on your team?
Bruce Weber: We are just about done. We waited on the exempt event lawsuit. The decision was a stalemate which was disappointing. We had to scramble and find a quality team to fill the last spot. We have George Mason coming back, Colorado St. coming back, Murray St. coming to our place, Cal Northridge. We are at U Illinois Chicao and some other teams in the mix. St. Louis of course from Conf. USA we play every year. We just would have liked to have an exempt event.
Rob(Vienna,Il): hey great job on the success of the team....but other than the brack buster tourney will there be any big name schools playin the dawgs this year??
Bruce Weber: I think when you look at the top conferences, Colorado St. has everyone back. St. Louis will be very tough. For us that is such a rival game. It looks like will sign something with North Carolina Charlotte. George Mason and Murray State have had such great success. We have a great mix. We don't have the elite teams this year because of the exemption rule.
Dean (Las Vegas): You do a lot of yelling during games....You're voice is often shot during post game news conferences as a result....do you do anything special afterwards to restore that pleasant voice of yours???
Bruce Weber: A cold beverage! As you metioned, I lose my voice, especially as the season goes on. I rest it a lot and it usually comes back. About three minutes into the game, I just forget about my voice and start yelling!
Ian (Madison): How do the 2002-03 Salukis compare to the teams you coached in the Big 10?
Bruce Weber: Last year's team, we beat Indiana and played Illinois and had a shot to tie them at the end of the game on a neutral court. It was a team that could have competed for the middle to upper part of the Big Ten. As far as our great teams at Purdue, those were special teams with special players.
Thanks for all the questions and all your interest! Take care!
