Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's Basketball Prepares for St. Mary's
03/14/2005 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
March 14, 2005
By Royal Whitaker
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois men's basketball team practiced today for the first time since discovering their NCAA Tournament destination on Selection Sunday. The Dawgs emphasized defense and rebounding, which will be crucial in defending St. Mary's star forward Daniel Kickert.
Kickert is averaging 16.6 PPG. He's the Gaels' second-leading scorer and was named the West Coast Conference player of week in February.
The 6-10, 240-pound junior has shown to be a threat from beyond the 3-point arc. Saluki big man in middle Joshua Warren seemed to be especially concerned about his outside threat.
"He likes to stay outside and shoot `3's'," Warren said. "So I'm going to have to go out there and contend his 3-point shooting."
The Salukis showed aggressiveness and poise in today's practice. That's one thing the Dawgs will have to maintain in order to finish strong in the NCAA Tournament.
Point guard Jamaal Tatum and forward LaMar Owen consistently showed physical play while diving and wrestling to retrieve loose balls. Aggressiveness seemed to be the theme of Monday morning's practice.
All year long, Saluki fans have enjoyed watching the hot shooting hands of Darren Brooks, Stetson Hairston and Tatum. Friday, the trio will try to stop Saint Mary's guard Paul Marigney.
Marigney - with a 17.0 PPG average, leads Saint Mary's in scoring. Marigney is a 6-3, 195 pound senior with the ability to do some damage.
The Gaels' guard was named to the West Coast Conference All-Conference team this season.
"Their guards are very good and shoot the ball very well," Owen said.
Saint Mary's and Southern Illinois have played one another three times in the schools history. SIU holds a 2-1 series advantage.
"I don't think it matters honestly about past games," guard Tony Young said. "We haven't played them the four years I've been here, so it's probably a totally different team than when we played before."
The winner of Friday's game will meet up with either Oklahoma St. or SE Louisiana on Sunday.
