Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's Basketball Signs Four
11/10/2004 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
www.SIUSalukis.com
Nov. 10, 2004
Southern Illinois University men's basketball coach Chris Lowery unveiled the program's 2004 fall recruiting class on Wednesday, signing a quartet of high school seniors who each received interest from high-major programs.
Lowery received official letters of intent from guard Josh Tabb (Carbondale, Ill./Carbondale H.S.), forward Jordan Armstrong (Muncie, Ind./Central H.S.), center Nick Rogers (Pendleton, Ind./Pendleton Heights H.S.) and guard Bryan Mullins (Downers Grove, Ill./South H.S.).
"At some point, all of these guys visited high-major programs and were getting calls and letters from most of the high majors in the midwest," the first-year head coach said. "We have to get the type of kids who get recruited by high majors."
Tabb (6-4, 175) is considered by recruiting experts to be one of the state's top seniors. He was an Associated Press Class A First-Team All-State selection last year at Century High School. The lefthander missed his team's first seven games with a fractured left wrist, but returned to average 20.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg and 4.0 assists, while shooting 62 percent from the field.
"He's one of the biggest recruits in school history," Lowery said. "After getting Matt Shaw last year, we're very happy to again get the best player in Southern Illinois this year. He's a super talent -- a versatile guard like (current Salukis) Stetson (Hairston) and Darren (Brooks). He's more ready to play than those guys were as a freshman."
Century finished with a 22-5 record last year after losing to Eldorado in the regional championship game. A three-year varsity starter, Tabb averaged 21.0 points and led his team in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore.
Armstrong (6-7, 225), an honorable mention all-state pick by Associated Press, averaged 14.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg while shooting 65 percent from the field. Muncie Central finished with a 20-4 record last year and won the North Central Conference regular-season championship.
"He's a very athletic, combo forward, like (former Saluki) Sylvester Willis, who can guard power forwards and centers," Lower said. "He's athletic enough to get things done against both of the them. He's got good touch facing the basket and great athleticism along the baseline.
"We really wanted to be more athletic baseline to baseline and corner to corner, and Jordan is the type of kid who can do that."
Rogers (6-8, 290) was an honorable mention all-state selection last year who averaged 16.0 ppg and 10.0 rpg. He had knee surgery last spring, but is close to 100 percent as he prepares for his senior year at Pendleton Heights.
"Nick brings a big, physical toughness with a skill package that is not common in a 6-foot-8 kid who weighs almost 300 pounds," Lowery said. "He can jump, he's athletic, he has great hands and a good understanding of how to play. He has a good touch all the way to the 3-point line.
"He really loves to play the game. Any time you get a big guy who really loves the game, his potential is unlimited."
Mullins (6-1, 180) averaged 12.0 ppg and 7.0 apg as a junior last year but is known for his outstanding passing ability and defense.
"He's the leader and pure point guard we've needed in our system," Lowery said. "He can really run a ballclub. He has characteristics and attributes that aren't common these days in a point guard. So many guys try to impress you by scoring or making the spectacular pass every single time. He is very tough, hard-nosed, physical and willing to put the team first. He could re-write the school assist record book. He has great vision."
The Salukis have one scholarship remaining, and Lowery said he will likely use it during the spring signing period.™™
