Saluki Basketball begins season with Maroon Madness
10/17/2009 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Oct. 16, 2009
By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois men and women's basketball teams took the floor tonight for Maroon Madness. The annual event introduced the 2009-10 Saluki basketball teams to the over 800 fans who filed into Davies Gym.
It was a battle of the guards in a 3-point contest between Teri Oliver and Kevin Dillard. Oliver represented the women's team well, defeating Dillard in the final round.
Kendal Brown-Surles, a 5-10 guard from Evansville, Ind., made a quick turnaround for the men, impressing Saluki fans and his own teammates with his dramatic dunk performance. The dunk contest was followed by short scrimmages from each team. Men's head coach Chris Lowery was happy with the chance to display the new team for the crowd that came out to support. "We had a great turnout and we appreciate our fans coming out to watch," Lowery said. "We're going to be a fun team to watch and as the team continues to grow and gel together good things will happen for us."
Due to current renovations taking place at the SIU Arena, the teams got to experience their fans in a smaller arena.
"I think the kids really liked the smaller venue," Lowery sad. "We practice over here sometimes, so we like coming over here. You get a chance to play big in a small place." The men will tip off their season as they host Henderson State in an exhibition game, Saturday, Oct. 31 at 3:05 p.m. The women will face Quincy Sunday, Nov. 1 at 3:05 p.m. for their first play of the season.
