Transcript of Chat Room With Saluki Forward LaMar Owen

On Wednesday, February 25 at 4;15 p.m. CT, Saluki men's basketball player LaMar Owen, by your request, made a special visit to the Chat Room to talk about the season. Below is a transcript.

Moderator: We are ready to begin this afternoon's chat session with LaMar Owen. Today is an off day for the team, one of the few days off they get this time of year, and LaMar is very kind to join us.

Pele (Carterville): How do the skills you used to become Mr. Soccer in Kentucky help you on the basketball court? Did any colleges recruit you to play soccer? What made you choose basketball instead?

LaMar Owen: Definitely footwork is a big part of soccer that has helped on the basketball court. And my stamina from playing soccer has also contributed to my success on the basketball court. A few colleges sent me letters a few days before I signed for basketball, so I felt basketball was the right choice for me.

Bernie Kosar (Cleveland): I read your media guide bio, which said your favorite book is the Bible. What is your favorite Bible verse?

LaMar Owen: Matthew Chapter 21, Verse 22 "All things whatsover ye shall ask for in prayer 'believing' ye shall receive."

Ian (Madison): First, thanks for giving Saluki fans a really fun season. Four years ago, I'd tell people I grew up in Carbondale and I'd get a blank stare. Now, everyone knows where it is and they all want to talk about SIU basketball. Do you think Foster or Faulker will be in a position to make significant contributions next year? And how about Mike Dale, do you play with him?

LaMar Owen: Foster and Falker are definitely going to be a big key to our success next year because many people don't realize how good they will be. They will definitely make a big impact next year. Mike Dale I have played against and is definitely a great guard with his dribbling skills and will be another player who has a couple highlights with dunks.

Mark W. (Carbondale): What is your vertical leap measured to be?

LaMar Owen: The last time I measured it was my junior year in high school during soccer season. It was 38, but I don't know if that has increased or decreased since then.

Jordan (Carbondale): You have gotten some really questionable charging fouls called on you lately. Are you being too aggressive going to the basket?

LaMar Owen: I don't think that it's being too aggressive, because that's what Coach wants us to be. It just might be that I'm out of control or the refs see something different than the fans see.

C Dub (Dirty South C'Dale): Just to let you know, my friends and I have started calling you Krayzie Bone, because we think you look like the rapper from Bone Thugs and Harmony.

LaMar Owen: That's funny, because my players say the same thing about me too! And I've heard it from some other fans.

Mike Coracy, Collinsville IL SIU PE 1993: How is your ankle? You are fun to watch and play basketball the way it was ment to be played - hard all the time. So glad you picked SIU because we needed your energy and hustle.

LaMar Owen: My ankle I feel is ok now after treatment. It will be ready for the next game Saturday against Bradley. Thanks for the nice comments!

Joey, Carbondale: Congrats on a great season LaMar, just one question. What is the official name for your dunk against Hawaii?

LaMar Owen: I still haven't come up with one because I don't even remember what happened! All I remember is coming off the rim and touching the floor.

Josh, Carbondale: What made you choose SIU over everyone else?

LaMar Owen: Because of the coach, students, faculty and community. They brought me to SIU like I was already family.

Austin Lewis: I was lucky enough to watch you play several games during your "Falcon" days. I was wondering...how much of your high energy playing style do you attribute to playing JUCO ball and having players like Timmy Barnes on your team?

LaMar Owen: I attribute a lot of my SIU success to my JUCO success because my coach there wouldn't let me play any less than he knew I was - and that was crazy and wild.

Chris (Carbondale): I saw Matt Shaw at the game last night. Have you played with him yet and if you have, do you think he'll be able to contribute next year?

LaMar Owen: I have played against Matt Shaw when he came on his visit to SIU. I feel that he will definitely be a great contributor to next year's success. He's strong, and I know he'll be able to compete on the boards with the big men, because he pushed me around a little bit.

Casey (Chicago): Are you concerned about SIU's size against some of the bigger teams in the NCAA tournament?

LaMar Owen: No, I'm not, because we feel that it doesn't matter the size on the court, all that matters to us is who's going to fight the most. And we feel that that will be us against any team.

Mark W (c-dale): What about that camera operator you ran into in Bloomington? It lookes really cool on TV.

LaMar Owen: I just hope that he's alright!

Brian Stinnett: First of all I would like to say how proud we are of you Lamar in Red Devil land...this is Coach Stinnett's brother...My question how did coach Stinnett help you in reaching your potential as a basketball player? Thanks and keep helping the Saluki's win

LaMar Owen: Coach Stinnett would never let me relax in practice or during games. And if I did, he would definitely get on me in front of anybody. Because he knew that I had the potential to be a great player.

Darrell Mandrell (Mt. Sterling, KY): LaMar, Thanks to all Dawgs for making this a super season so far. The #16 rank, conference title and win streak have brought a lot of happiness to Saluki fans everywhere. I would love nothing more than to meet UK in the final 8! I know you all can do it! I want to say one other thing - I think the thing that impresses me most about this years team is the apparent humility and focus on team and not individual attention. In a time where the team concept is often lost in sports in lieu of a ME, ME, ME attitude, it is more than refreshing to know MY team is made of a good guys! Please take this to heart and pass it along to the rest of the team!!! Darrell

LaMar Owen: Thanks for your comments. That's why I feel that we've had so much success this year, because nobody cares about who scores. All we want to do is win and show the country that we should be in the upper echelon of college basketball.

Jason (Chicago): In your opinion, who is the best non-Saluki player you've played against in the Valley?

LaMar Owen: I'm trying to think of everybody we played. Probably Brody Deren because he's a big guy who can get a lot accomplished in many different ways.

Bill, Marion: My favorite play so far this year is when Cello Robinson from Bradley tried to take it to the rack. You swatted that stuff so hard it got stuck between the rim and the backboard!

LaMar Owen: That's probably one of my most memorable plays, too! I just didn't want anybody to get an easy basket until I was in the lockerroom.

Rob (Carbondale): Hey LaMar, first off, great season and we are all looking forward to having you back next year too. My question to you does the rest of the players on the team give you a hard time about the attention that you get from the Dawg Pound?

LaMar Owen: No, my players don't focus on me getting to much attention. They just always tell me to get the Dawg Pound hyped so they can be the same way.

Todd Benzinger (Carterville): What big changes you've experienced coming from a junior college environment to division I basketball?

LaMar Owen: Definitely, size has to be the biggest change coming into Division I basketball. I haven't experienced a lot of 7-footers in JUCO. And the speed of the game is much faster.

B. Delp (Boston): What do you think of all the media attention and interview requests?

LaMar Owen: It's something that I always dreamed of. I hope to experience more with the success of SIU.

Kyna (Chicago): I just wanted to congratulate you guys on your success. I am Sylvester's sister and I justed wanted to give you all your props. As for your personal game, I think the crowd really enjoys your performance. GO SALUKIES!!!!!!!

LaMar Owen: Thank you! I give a lot of credit to your brother, because he's always picking on my for doing things he doesn't expect I'd do!

Bradley Griffith(Carterville): Lamar! You are so awesome! You are very versatile and explosive and you bring a lot to our team! So how far do you think we can go and are you glad you came to SIU?

LaMar Owen: Definitely glad I came to SIU. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here. I feel with the right attitude and the right focus, we can go farther than the Sweet 16 team.

Chad, Valley Village, CA: LaMar, it's been a pleasure watching and listening to you this year...As a newcomer to the Salukis, what's been the biggest challenge fitting in with this team?

LaMar Owen: Basically, not knowing where I would be placed at and what I would be doing coming off the bench. It took a lot of effort coming to a new place. I didn?t know what to expect.

Chad, Valley Village, CA: LaMar...obviously the fans love you by you winning this poll on the website...Can you talk about what the support from the Saluki Nation has meant to you?

LaMar Owen: It?s meant a lot to me. Coming to SIU for the first time, the fans in the community have brought me in like I?ve been here before.

Anthony Diasio, (Crystal Lake, IL): Lamar, First off, as a SIU alumnus, I am very proud to call myself a Saluki and very proud of the Saluki basketball team's accomplishments thus far. Go Salukis! As for my question, it is very clear that the Salukis are playing as a team this year, with everyone playing a big part, and it is proven that a team effort wins in the NCAA Tourney. With that in mind, how far do you and the team feel you could go in the tourney?

LaMar Owen: The sky is the limit. We feel that we can do anything anybody else can do, because we feel we can work harder than anybody.

Jonny, STL: What other schools were recruiting you?

LaMar Owen: Kent State, Ole Miss, Creighton, Illinois State, Appalachian State and Austin Peay

Porkchop (Carbondale): (After you) Who is the quickest player on the team when driving in the lane?

LaMar Owen: Of course, Jamaal Tatum. He might even be a little quicker than I am.

Springfield_Saluki_PIKA: Hey Lamar, That was a nasty dunk you did at the end of the game. Do you have any more moves like that in your ensemble. Keep puttin the funk in the dunk! Go Dawgs!!!

LaMar Owen: I have a couple tricks up my sleeve, but haven?t had the time to pull the rabbit out of the hat yet.

Mike (LaGrange, IL): LaMar- Whats it like to come to a program your first year, and be part of perhaps one of the better teams in SIU history?

LaMar Owen: It?s definitely a great experience and a big honor being one of the best in the MVC, and it being my first year, I didn?t know what was to come, and it sure has been great, and hopefully next year will be too.

L.J. Crite: Who had the biggest impact on your game?

LaMar Owen: My father, who?s always told me that there?s always going to be someone out there trying to be better than I am. And that I need to work on my game and try to become the best player I can be.

Jeff (Murphysboro): How do you take the energy of the Dawg Pound as being their favorite player and transition it to the energy on the court? I also notice that you pay us back by getting us excited as well. Thanks!

LaMar Owen: The energy that the Dawg Pound brings me keeps me from thinking about being tired, and makes me just do things that I don?t even know I can do. So when I do do those things, I try to get the fans excited and try to pay them back for what they did to get me hyped.

Douglasville, Georgia: Great job this season, you all have made SIU alums proud around the country. My question is how much emphasis does coach Painter put on free throw shooting in practice? KEVIN SIU class of '94 '98

LaMar Owen: That?s probably the second-biggest focus that coach puts out, besides defense. We probably shoot near 75-100 free throw shots every practice.

Columbus: what made you want to play basketball in the first place? if you made it to the nba would it change your mind on getting your degree in your major? Is there a girlfriend in your life. Martica Houghton

LaMar Owen: To get on tv to say ?hi? to my mom. No on the second question. Yes on the third question. She?s a big part of my life.

Jeff (Boston): What has been the most exciting moment of your basketball career? And do you wanna send an autograph up here to Boston?

LaMar Owen: Winning the game against Evansville that clinched the MVC Championship, and knowing next year I?ll have a ring on my finger. Send a letter to the basketball office and I'll be glad to send you an autograph. Thanks for asking!

Moderator: That wraps up tonight's chat room session. Thank you, LaMar, for spending part of your day off with us! We look forward to offering more internet chats in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

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Transcript of Chat Room With Saluki Forward LaMar Owen

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