Usually, a Creighton-Southern Illinois game in Carbondale would fill the message boards and radio talk shows every time. However with the Salukis struggling for the past few seasons and no Korvers or Altmans to be found, the rivalry is a shell of its former self. Still, the game Tuesday promises to be dramatic, if only for a few reasons. While Chris Lowery fights for his job as SIU head coach, the Bluejays have had a great season but are mired in the midst of a three-game losing streak. Creighton comes to Carbondale a few days after a disappointing loss against Wichita State at home.
Could Southern Illinois pose a big challenge to the Bluejays’ efforts to right the ship? To get us up to speed on the Salukis we talked to The Southern’s Todd Hefferman for his insight. Here is what he had to say.
White & Blue Review: With the expectations of Southern Illinois in the past, what were the expectations for this season and are they where the followers thought it would be? Are there signs of improvement?
Todd Hefferman: Expectations were not high, with eight newcomers in the mix, but they were higher than 8-18 at this point. SIU had a very easy schedule in the non-conference outside the Diamond Head Classic, both in strength of schedule numbers, number of home non-conference games (five) and the talent returning. I figured, and I think most figured, SIU would be around the middle in a year the Missouri Valley Conference is really good, and approach a winning record. There are signs of improvement, as far as the beginning of the season to now, with Dantiel Daniels’ emergence and Kendal Brown-Surles and T.J. Lindsay turning into perimeter threats. However, there has been little, if any, progress as far as from last season to this season.
WBR: Does Chris Lowery need to be concerned about his job? With all the new players that came in this season, will he get an opportunity to try and turn things around?
TH: Yes, Chris Lowery definitely has to be concerned about his job after the season. He was supposed to show some improvement, and losing at home to a Division II team to start the season did not inspire much in the public or the administration. Here’s the question. Financially, is SIU to the point where it wants to spend $1.5 million to buy him out and pay another new coach $300,000-$400,000, and is that worth it to get back the $100,000-plus the school has lost in donations and season ticket sales from previous years? And does SIU want to give Lowery another chance, knowing he could have four starters back plus Wyoming transfer Desmar Jackson, and two very good potential newcomers in PG Bobo Drummond and SG Travis Wilkins? Or would a change from all of it be the best thing?
WBR: Earlier in the season, a few of the players were not able to participate either through injury or other situations. Can you detail some of the things that have kept the full roster from being together all season?
TH: Kendal Brown-Surles, Lowery’s second cousin, was academically ineligible the first semester, as was forward Davante Drinkard. Justin Bocot missed some games because he was named by the Carbondale Police Department as part of an alleged sexual assault. Bocot was never charged with anything, but was suspended four games for breaking team rules. Forward Dantiel Daniels missed three games after hurting his groin against Saint Louis and not giving it the proper rest. Now foot injuries have probably taken out Drinkard and freshman guard Josh Swan for the season.
WBR: With the shuffling of lineups throughout the season, have the Salukis found a consistent lineup?
TH: For the most part, yes. There has been some recent shuffling by putting Kendal Brown-Surles on the bench in favor of Kourtney Goff, who plays better on-the-ball defense, but the other four are pretty solid in Mamadou Seck, Dantiel Daniels, T.J. Lindsay and Jeff Early. Seck, Daniels and Early have been SIU’s most consistent players all season. Brown-Surles has actually played a bit better off the bench, so I imagine Lowery will keep the lineup the same the rest of the way.
WBR: How has Mamadou Seck been playing this season? Has he been the most consistent player for the Southern Illinois?
TH: Seck and Early have really been SIU’s most consistent players. Seck has gone missing in a few games where the Salukis needed him. Other times he has scored a ton but not enough to win the game, which seniors have to do when nobody else steps up. He’s playing like a potential first teamer and also leads SIU in assists, which is a bit strange for a 6-7 forward.
WBR: Who has been a surprise this season that could be a big contributor over the next season or so?
TH: Jeff Early, T.J. Lindsay, Daniels and freshman forward Treg Setty could all be pretty good next year, regardless if Lowery is back or someone else in the coach. They all can score and give the Salukis good length and basketball intelligence. All four are starting to fill in their roles right now.
WBR: This has usually been a big rivalry game. Is the same approach being taken for this one, especially since it may present itself to be a great motivation booster due to Creighton’s struggles the past three games?
TH: That’s a question I have for a few of the players later today. I think it still has some magnetism even though Creighton has owned the series recently and SIU has been downtrodden. The Bluejays’ recent struggles could give SIU some hope tomorrow night, but, it also could be the worst time to play Creighton, considering how poorly they played Saturday in the big game against Wichita State.
WBR: What is your final prediction? Can Southern Illinois knock off Creighton? Will the win save their season or even their coaches’ job?
TH: My final prediction is Creighton by six or eight. The game will be closer than people might have thought a week or two ago. SIU is at home. Creighton has struggled as of late, and there’s a question as to if that will continue or the Bluejays will take out their frustration on the Salukis. A win over Creighton would do SIU well, as a team, but I don’t think even a big win here would save Lowery’s job. He needs to show some real tenacity over the last few weeks of the season, especially on the road, and give people a reason to believe he’s the right person for the job going forward.