Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's Basketball Finalizes 2003-04 Slate
08/14/2003 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Aug. 14, 2003
By Tom Weber
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Missouri Valley Conference portion of the 2003-04 men's basketball schedule was officially released Thursday, finalizing the Salukis' game slate for the upcoming season.
2003-04 Men's Basketball Schedule
Although conference play typically begins in January, Southern Illinois will play two conference games in December (at Drake on Dec. 6 and vs. Illinois State on Dec. 28).
Head coach Matt Painter said the conference games needed to be scheduled earlier because the Salukis are hosting Charlotte in January and the Bracket Buster game in February.
"That opened up a couple slots for conference games in December," Painter said. "I really do like the schedule. It should help us get ready for the conference tournament."
The Salukis do not play arch-rival Creighton until Feb. 7, when SIU travels to Omaha, Neb., for a nationally televised game on ESPN2. The Bluejays play in Carbondale on Feb. 24, in a re-match of last year's sold out contest in which SIU clinched the MVC regular-season title.
At least five Saluki games will air on regional or national TV. Fox Sports Net will show the games at Drake (Dec. 6), vs. Wichita State (Jan. 11) and vs. Northern Iowa (Jan. 31). ESPN2 will show the game at Creighton (Feb. 7), and ESPN or ESPN Regional will air the Bracket Buster game on Feb. 21.
In addition, WSIU-TV in Carbondale is planning to air selected Saluki road games.
