I've been a fan of all things Saluki, since I started Law School back in 1989. My all time favorite Saluki game was a snowy night in Indianapolis where Jamal Tatum led the Salukis past Butler in February 2007. My kids were under 10, so it was a family outing. We were all exhausted following the game, but it was an electric night and I'll remember it forever.
What is your favorite Salukis bball memory?
* I'm also an Eastern Panther, but that's no fun! I have Texas Tech as my pic because I'm a two-time Red Raider dad and follow Tech closely.
Outside of Tournament wins, my favorite to go back to is the 2002 home Creighton game. Feel like this is the game that really launched the run:
Recently it’s probably the Domask game winner against Missouri State
Did you have to attend it?
2002 SIU/Creighton. For the conference championship. The infamous "Korver sucks" game. Game was sold out weeks ahead of time. The Arena was on fire that night. Kent Williams hitting a 3 over Korver to give SIU the lead with 15 seconds left.
2008 SIU/Creighton. ESPN Gameday. Bryan Mullins carried the team that night. Not even first to 50 that night. SIU 48-44. What a fun and FULL day that was.
2004 SIU/Bradley. Darren Brooks' full-court baseball pass to Sylvester Willis with less than 2 seconds left.
2020 SIU/MoState Marcus Domask's buzzer beater
Honorable Mention: 2001 SIU/Indiana. I wasn't there but I spent 2.5 hours on the phone, listening to the game through my dial-up AOL account.
Both times Larry Bird came to town upset them in 78 and had a chance in 79 getting beat by a point we were led by Saluki Hall of Famer Wayne Abrams
in the modern era mine is probably the 2021 mvc tournament game against bradley when harvey had 24 points and we beat bradley without domask and lance was hurt as well. i miss harvey. the domask buzzer beater against mo state after that. unfortunately when they had their good runs in the 2000s i was younger but i do like to go back and watch some of those games
I could probably make a list of 20 there have been so many fun/memorable ones in different ways, but hard to go wrong with the 19-point comeback against Georgia in the second round in 2002 at the United Center. That was a day.
From the official recap on the website:
With chants of "S-I-U! S-I-U!" reverberating through the United Center, SIU was able to escape a 30-11 hole with 8:29 left in the first half.
"They were the aggressor early. We became the aggressor, and then Jermaine got us back into to it," Weber said.
https://siusalukis.com/news/2002/3/17/salukis_defeat_georgia_77_75_to_advance_to_sweet_sixteen.aspx
Uhhh...it was "swallows", not sucks. Sorry to be so graphic.Did you have to attend it?
2002 SIU/Creighton. For the conference championship. The infamous "Korver sucks" game. Game was sold out weeks ahead of time. The Arena was on fire that night. Kent Williams hitting a 3 over Korver to give SIU the lead with 15 seconds left.
2008 SIU/Creighton. ESPN Gameday. Bryan Mullins carried the team that night. Not even first to 50 that night. SIU 48-44. What a fun and FULL day that was.
2004 SIU/Bradley. Darren Brooks' full-court baseball pass to Sylvester Willis with less than 2 seconds left.
2020 SIU/MoState Marcus Domask's buzzer beater
Honorable Mention: 2001 SIU/Indiana. I wasn't there but I spent 2.5 hours on the phone, listening to the game through my dial-up AOL account.
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
I too was at that game, Doug Elgin sat directly behind me. Some old lady from Butler told security they needed to remove me as I was cheering for SIU! Waited 4 hours post-game for a cab, snow was really deep!I've been a fan of all things Saluki, since I started Law School back in 1989. My all time favorite Saluki game was a snowy night in Indianapolis where Jamal Tatum led the Salukis past Butler in February 2007. My kids were under 10, so it was a family outing. We were all exhausted following the game, but it was an electric night and I'll remember it forever.
What is your favorite Salukis bball memory?
* I'm also an Eastern Panther, but that's no fun! I have Texas Tech as my pic because I'm a two-time Red Raider dad and follow Tech closely.
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
@dawgbytes I was at the Game Day win against Creighton and the Indiana game in 2002. I was also at the Domask buzzer beater against Mo State. All great games.
Bar none, my favorite game was the Sweet 16 match against Kansas - which we won by all accounts despite the referees' lack of agreement. Watching Brian Mullins crossover ankle break on Mario Chalmers is a source of everlasting enjoyment and amusement. I google it frequently to watch on YouTube. It's a shame the refs let some of those no calls go, i bet we would have showed well in the Elite 8 that year too! Who knows what would have happened...but alas it wasn't to be.
The 2005 Shucks game was an insane sell out also. The Howard game
While all of you die hard Saluki fans have mentioned some excellent choices, these 3 are my most memorable attended.
1. Indiana Hoosiers December 1, 2001. The atmosphere was simply electrifying. Securing a victory over a Power 5 school, but more importantly a BIG school with storied tradition was super special. Folks in red and white bib overalls were shell shocked. Doubt we'll ever see another BIG at our place again, as our longtime record is sensational against this overrated conference.
2. Georgia Bulldogs March 17, 2002. Remarkable comeback at the United Center, Chicago, IL. The cavernous arena was filled with chants of SIU, SIU, SIU in the second half, and it was such a glorious sound. Such an unbelievable feeling, and made me so very proud to be a Saluki.
3. Wichita State Shockers January 21, 1984. The Salukis were coached by a fellow named Allen Van Winkle, and had players such as Chris George, Cleveland Bibbins, and Nathaniel Buford. The Shockers at that particular time were ranked in the top 15, had a strong record, and were led by Aubrey Sherrod, and a future NBA star named Xavier McDaniel. The Egyptian Dawgs were quite frankly horrible. However, on this day an unknown hero emerged in 6'9" Center Harry Hunter, as he made two HUGE free throws to seal the upset. As players and fans carried Harold off the court, numerous college aged kids hurled insults to the visitors as they exited the floor. The campus and town went into a frenzy, as this was a special night indeed for THE Southern Illinois University!!!
So many wonderful memories listed above. Lived through every one of them.
Longest lasting negative memory: Getting screwed by officiating vs Kansas. That Saluki team was Final 4 caliber.
Best positive is hard to decide. The comeback win over Georgia and the comeback win over McGuire's Marquette. if I recall correctly, we were down 9 at the half.
There have been so many. The Butler snowstorm game and the 87-67 win against #16 Michigan at the arena with Meriweather's 32 points are first two that come to mind.
