SIU in 2014-15

[Wufan]

Beane looks like the real deal. At 6-1, 180, is he a PG or SG? I'm guessing he's capable of playing point, but that his best position is SG?

I love the stable of wing freshman/sophomore wing guards Barry has brought in. Smithpeters, Pendleton, O'Brien are all intelligent players and look like winners. They have a different style to their game and different physical builds which will allow Hinson to do a lot next year with his rotation.

Bola is a strong and athletic PF. He's going to be a handful at some point in his career.

Verhines will also be back next year and Ibby Djimde (6-8, 255 transfer from Illinois) will provide much needed size, but SIU will need more than 7 players next year to compete.

Is Fillyaw still on the team? I think at least two more bigs (one JUCO and one high schooler) are needed along with a PG.

2015-16 will be a very good year for the Salukis.

[pafan]

Filyaw is injured ... broken hand/wrist if I remember correctly.

[usmcsaluki]

Beane has basically been playing PG since Fillyaw went down with a broken wrist, which PA has already pointed out. Fillyaw has a chance to return to the team this year, although he still has two years of eligibility left after this season.

This season is definitely trending the right way at the right time - late in the season - but we really need to see if the Dawgs can keep it going and finish the year strong. While SIU fans should not expect a win on Tuesday, should we finish the year again on a high note, and do some damage in St. Louis, then next year's expectations will definitely be pretty high.

Next year we will be without Desmar, but we have shown some impressive flashes of the future when either Jackson was on the bench with foul trouble, or even when he is on the court but just not hitting shots. Our biggest recruit thus far in my opinion is Jordan Caroline, who at 6-6 and 235, appears to be ready to play physically and skill-wise in the Valley at the SF position.

There hasn't been this much excitement in Carbondale since the Kevin Dillard recruiting class was in the Arena; hopefully the guys can keep this going!

[Play Angry]

I am happy for the Saluki fans. Those who did not jump ship during the downturn have handled their descent with a pretty good sense of humor. They deserve to see winning basketball again.

I am doubly happy for Barry. He is my favorite coach in the NCAA outside of the WSU family.