Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's Basketball Ready For Oklahoma State
03/19/2005 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
March 19, 2005
By Scott Mees
www.SIUSalukis.com
The Cowboys (25-6) had more than 14,000 orange-clad fans at Friday's victory over
"We've experienced a lot of hostile environments before so this one won't be a problem," said SIU guard Darren Brooks. "We'll just talk to the younger guys about what to expect and remind them to just relax."
The Salukis (27-7) will be looking to advance to the Sweet 16 for the third time in school history. The team can also tie the 2002 school record for wins in a season, with 28.
Saint Mary's could not get anything going in the first half against SIU, and the Gaels simply could not muster a run big enough to take over the game in the second half either.
"We beat a very good team yesterday, and a team that can really score," said SIU head coach Chris Lowery. "Even though we were the higher seed, we were both underdogs because I can't recall any time in the first two rounds that two "mid-majors" of our caliber were playing in the first round, other than Gonzaga."
The Cowboys are coached by Eddie Sutton -- a living legend who has amassed 780 wins in his career -- and will be ready to play. Seniors John Lucas (5-11, 165) and Joey Graham (6-7, 225) are the name players for the team - both average over 17 points-per-game. Graham had a difficult time against 15th-seeded
"Yes, it can be frustrating because sometimes he (Graham) acts like he's in a daze," Sutton said. "This happens with a lot of seniors because they wonder if they can make it in the NBA."
Saluki freshman Matt Shaw (6-7, 225) will likely spend some time guarding Graham.
"Even though I haven't seen him on film, I've seen him enough on TV to know his game and what his strengths are," Shaw said.
Coach Lowery added, "He's definitely a difficulty. He's inside-out, a `tweener. He's a kid that can dominate your big guys and bully your little guys."
Brooks is one player who would love to shed the label of being called a "mid-major."
"We get tired of hearing it," Brooks said. "We feel it's an unfair tag and the reason many mid-majors play so well in the tournament is in an attempt to get rid of the `mid-major label.'"
The Salukis will be matched up against one of college basketball's upper echelon teams -- the Cowboys have more than just Graham inside the paint. Forward Ivan McFarlin (6-8, 240) scored 18 points with nine rebounds in 39 minutes on Friday.
Lucas seemed to have a fairly good grasp of SIU's scheme, but watching a team and playing them are totally different.
"I know they are a tough ball club," Lucas said. "They are real aggressive on defense. They like to deny the ball, and they set a lot of ball screens. We are going to have to come out here and play."
Coach Sutton also addressed the fact that
"I almost cried because I know how they feel," Sutton said. "I also told our guys in our meeting last night that if we don't play better, that could be us."
Stetson Hairston, who was a major factor in the SIU win, talked about the Salukis possibly being considered a "Cinderella" team even though they have a higher seed.
"Many people give that title to teams that are underdogs," Hairston said. "But, inside the locker room we prepare to win and have the mindset that we can't beat anyone."
SIU is the lone Missouri Valley Conference school left in the tournament. Creighton and
The fact that SIU holds a 3-1 record against
