Illinois State uses balanced attack to beat Southern Illinois

With one Illinois State legend looking on and another being honored Saturday, the Redbirds strengthened their case for an at-large NCAA tournament bid.

[Saluki Sal]

Well, the winner will be different when ISU visits Carbondale. By that time, the Redbirds will be smarting from their visit at Northern Iowa, perhaps the toughest place to win at in the MVC this year.

I remember the chants and signs at ISU, Bradley, Creighton, Drake and other schools about SIU academics (if you can't go to college, go to Carbondale). I hope the SIU players remember this, and step it up a notch. Go Saluki Dawgs!

[Luke]

Sal, lets be honest here- SIU is a bad basketball team this season that will be lucky to sneak into the CBI. Illinois State is a solid program right now with a possible coach of the year candidate and 2 guards that can shoot it from across campus.

[Saluki Sal]

Luke wrote:

Sal, lets be honest here- SIU is a bad basketball team this season that will be lucky to sneak into the CBI. Illinois State is a solid program right now with a possible coach of the year candidate and 2 guards that can shoot it from across campus.

I would not say SIU has a bad team; they have done well the last few weeks and had some big wins recently. ISU is solid at guard, but really play below their level on the road (losses at Indiana State and Wichita were big blows). Besides, ISU did nor exactly cream Southern; it was close. The team to beat is UNI. I think they have the coach of the year, and the team plays hard nosed defense and could beat most teams on a good night.

The trouble ISU will have is keeping a good young coach (they always have lost some good ones). I admit, Redbird Arena is possibly the best college hoops venue in Illinois; a great facility. The team is on the rise, but SIU is young and will be strong for years to come.

I guess what I have always hated, whether Southern plays ISU, Bradley, Creighton, NIU, Illinois or Northwestern is the name calling. SIU might not be on the same academic level as these schools, but it does provide an educational opportunity for those who maybe are not the best students or are down on their luck. It gives everyone a chance to receive a college education, and there is something to be said for that.

[dude]

SIU is having some growing pains but they are getting better and better. I thought they played ISU pretty tough at redbird arena. I will give the edge to SIU in carbondale. I agree that ISU will probably take it on the chin at UNI. Why can't we have more MVC basketball on TV around Chicago.