Scoring below 50 points for men’s college basketball with a 3 point line is sad. Sorry. It is sad. Bradley isn’t that good.
SIU is 249th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency. Such a waste of the 63rd ranked defense. If this team had a normal offense, they'd at least be competing with Bradley and Drake.
No we're not a great offensive team, but that wasn't competing? gotta be kidding me dude. Fact is Bradley got a little lucky at the end to win that game and we got a little unlucky - Newton's 3pt shot went halfway down and the basketball gods spit it back out!
I mean I don't think anyone is going to pick SIU to beat either Drake or Bradley in St. Louis. Anything can happen in a one game win or go home situation but I don't really consider that competing. Today they competed though but they also scored 48 points and needed 23 from Domask to even give them a shot.
Bryan Mullins postgame:
https://siusalukis.com/watch/?Archive=6772&type=Archive
Marcus Domask postgame:
https://siusalukis.com/watch/?Archive=6773&type=Archive
Saluki Radio Highlights:
One of the most painful losses for me in a long long time because I finally started to have a glimmer of hope that we had a team capable of winning the conference and playing in the post season. And while I pretty much figured after the road loss to Illinois St that we weren't going to, it wasn't until today that it became a reality. Here's hoping that the staff can convince a stud Xfer (or 2) to come in and take this team to the next level next year. I still firmly believe that we are only 1 or 2 players from making it to the NCAA or NIT.
Here's to brighter days ahead.
Just got through reading all the comments on here. A lot of good discussion on whether or not we should've taken a time out, whether we played well or badly, whether or not we can compete in STL, etc.
All I have to add is this. You had to be at the game today to understand what an electric atmosphere it was and what a gritty, exciting performance it was from both teams. I didn't find it dull or ugly.
I also can't fault our team's effort (other than maybe Lance). Had that shot by Newton gone down all the way, we'd be singing a much different tune.
That being said, Drake and Bradley are pretty clearly better than us. We just don't have the studs or the coaching experience to turn the corner quite yet. I really hope it happens under Mullins, but I'm starting to have my doubts.
All I have to add is this. You had to be at the game today to understand what an electric atmosphere it was and what a gritty, exciting performance it was from both teams. I didn't find it dull or ugly.
I was at the Belmont game earlier this year and today's game. Think there were less people at today's game but the crowd was as loud as I've heard it in awhile. Rivals maybe only the Domask Buzzer Beater game in Feb 2020 and the Tyler Smithpeters shot at the end of 2013-14 against Illinois State for me. At least since the glory days.
I don’t doubt that it was “exciting”. I’m just not sure “exciting” is the same as “well played”.
It’s all subjective opinion but I am not sure I’m going to call 50-48 “well played”. Just my opinion.
Today was disappointing. The kids still need our support for the last two regular seasons and St. Louis though. We still control our destiny for top four.
SIU is 249th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency. Such a waste of the 63rd ranked defense. If this team had a normal offense, they'd at least be competing with Bradley and Drake.
No we're not a great offensive team, but that wasn't competing? gotta be kidding me dude. Fact is Bradley got a little lucky at the end to win that game and we got a little unlucky - Newton's 3pt shot went halfway down and the basketball gods spit it back out!
We absolutely played our guts out. That doesn’t mean we executed on offense. These are two mutually exclusive things.
A few thoughts. I was unable to watch the game and knew when I watched the rerun that we had lost by 2. That is the only detail I knew about the game. Even though I knew the outcome, I found the game very exciting, frustrating yes, but exciting. Some people like pitching duels in baseball, others a home-run fest. This was a pitcher's duel. I thought Muilla played his ass off and I am sorry that this will be the last year we see him. Here's hoping Scooter can fill his shoes and more. Banks is solid and more than capable on defense. The Jones thing is a mystery. If it is a mental thing, that is gonna be much harder to heal than a sprained ankle. If he has to "shoot his way out of a slump" it could never happen. There is no probability that it will change next game or 3 games from now. That has gotta to be tough on Lance. I hope to God he can focus on the team and not himself because he does add so much in areas other than his 3-point shooting (or lack thereof). I think we avoid Thursday by reason of having the tie-break over Belmont who will probably be odd-man out. If we have the opportunity to see Bradley at the Lou, then I think we will beat them. There were a lot of shoulda, coulda, woulda, moments in this game, but the effort was there. There seems to be no quit in these guys. And God bless Marcus. He will certainly go down as one of the best players to wear Maroon and White.
With 1551 career points, Marcus Domask has surpassed Joe C. Meriweather (1536) in all time scoring! Congrats Marcus! MD is now 9th all time. A great representative of our school and an all time Saluki great.
Jamaal Tatum 8th all time with 1667 pts.
Saluki Insider? I barely know her!
May have a hard time getting to Tatum outside of deep run in the Valley tourney or hopefully comes back for covid year 🤞With 1551 career points, Marcus Domask has surpassed Joe C. Meriweather (1536) in all time scoring! Congrats Marcus! MD is now 9th all time. A great representative of our school and an all time Saluki great.
Jamaal Tatum 8th all time with 1667 pts.
One under-the-radar, disappointing stat from the box score was only one FG attempt for D'Amico in 24 minutes. I was hoping the Missouri State game would be somewhat of a turning point for D'Amico to get more aggressive offensively. Sure, some of it is probably teammates not setting him up as well yesterday (another sad stat: one assist, combined, for Johnson and Jones), but I hope the coaches are in his ear that being that passive isn't helping anybody.
Good Monday Morning SalukiInsider members,
Got home late last night after making the close to 700 mile trek. Semi truck rollover on I 57 did not help matters, but weather was most favorable.
As some have mentioned here already, I would like to comment on the environment as well. It was truly an awesome experience for my son n law and I. From entering and seeing fans lined up to see the 2002 team, to the Mardi Gra music and vibe, Black Out Cancer cause, to the fireworks display, it was all VERY entertaining. Enjoyed the events during timeouts, and witnessing the girl hit that halfcourt shot was also amazing!
As far as the game itself, I knew it would be another struggle between two stout defenses. We once again were close to getting a really good win, but just could not get over that hump. Drake AND Bradley are tier 1, Ind. St, Belmont, and SIU are tier 2. As much as I want this team and program to make that next step, I am beginning to wonder if it will ever happen. I want Coach Mullins to succeed as much as anyone because he's a Saluki. However, he still has much to learn. SIU hired him with no prior HC experience. Not D3, D2, JUCO, or even High School. Wardle, who he faced yesterday, is in his 13th year as a HC. Would like to see a veteran coach be brought on in some lite capacity to lend assistance but know that will never happen. Our offense needs attention, much attention. Attaining a P5 transfer, or a three-star high school player won't matter if you have an offense that does not play to their strengths. At the start of the season, Reis asked Coach Mullins if the team would run more with better athletes (transfers). He said yes, I think so. That has not happened, possibly due to lack of rebounding, or are they told not to do so? Based on my observations and the few times we have ran, it's been positive.
Wednesday will probably be yet another grind and struggle. Although young, UNI has Coach Jake with tons of experience. UIC will be a challenge as well. Neither will be easy, but this is The Valley. Accomplish the top four at The Arch, go from there, and anything can happen.
GO DAWGS!!!
A few thoughts. I was unable to watch the game and knew when I watched the rerun that we had lost by 2. That is the only detail I knew about the game. Even though I knew the outcome, I found the game very exciting, frustrating yes, but exciting. Some people like pitching duels in baseball, others a home-run fest. This was a pitcher's duel. I thought Muilla played his ass off and I am sorry that this will be the last year we see him. Here's hoping Scooter can fill his shoes and more. Banks is solid and more than capable on defense. The Jones thing is a mystery. If it is a mental thing, that is gonna be much harder to heal than a sprained ankle. If he has to "shoot his way out of a slump" it could never happen. There is no probability that it will change next game or 3 games from now. That has gotta to be tough on Lance. I hope to God he can focus on the team and not himself because he does add so much in areas other than his 3-point shooting (or lack thereof). I think we avoid Thursday by reason of having the tie-break over Belmont who will probably be odd-man out. If we have the opportunity to see Bradley at the Lou, then I think we will beat them. There were a lot of shoulda, coulda, woulda, moments in this game, but the effort was there. There seems to be no quit in these guys. And God bless Marcus. He will certainly go down as one of the best players to wear Maroon and White.
Well done post. I was there yesterday and without a doubt, will say it was a was a very exciting game. Frustrating, yes, but very hard fought defensive battle on both sides. And I'm still in a process of decompression.
As far as Lance is concerned, it has to be a mental thing. Clearly he has great ability. Does SIU have a sport's psychologist? Maybe a chat or two with one would help get his head clear before they get to the Lou?
Hope we win out and make a respectable run at the Arch, but my expectations have been lowered the past two weeks. All that said, it's been a decent season and I still hope for the best in the future. No matter what, will always root for the Salukis despite the often times painful outcome.
March on triumphantly!
I couldn't watch as i was away from TV but i had CBS Sports up and saw we had possession with a few seconds left. Stomach churning, but i appreciate the reports you guys that were that provided. Salukis are not an awful team, but this was a tough matchup.
I said it before this game, and i know i'm not the coach, but Jones shouldn't have taken a single 3pt shot yesterday. His statline is 0-6 all from 3. We all see he's struggling, Mullins does too.
For what it's worth, i hope Lance is ok but i'd rather see him sit the entire next game. Johnson/Newton can be the starting guards and we can go bigger and i'd argue at this point we wouldn't be losing anything just because of the poor attitude. Keep Domask and 2 bigs in the whole next game. When Domask needs a breather, there are enough player to go around for a few minutes at a time. Give Banks plenty of minutes, Wonders can get in, Brown is fine, and let Cade & Ebube both play!
If Jones is back next year, which i am definitely not opposed to, hopefully a long break in game action is enough to help him sort out whatever is going on.
