nm
Just you.....NOT!
Not sure the last time I was more excited for SIU bball!
I'll be curious to see what the crowd is. The Athletic Dept. is making a big marketing push around the game, especially with students, and there is optimism for the season, plus there were no watchable preseason exhibitions, so this is the first chance to see the team. On the other hand, it is a Monday and Little Rock is not a sexy opponent (though better than some of the bums to come!)
Anything over 5,000 would be pretty decent, over 6,000 would be quite good. I know people like to talk about selling the place out, but there just haven't been many of those from the 2010s on, and I suspect it will take a combo of legit success and a conference opponent to get close to that this season.
Think the first game will have a good crowd, especially the students. They really need to start sustaining wins though for people to come to most of these games, especially given the competition level. Even the Valley marquee game against Drake on the schedule comes when students are on break which is a bummer.
I am anxious for the season to start, both in a good way and in a truly anxious way. We have been waiting 3+ years to see a team put together by Mullins that is made up of veterans and expected to have their best season since he took over the reins. There is a legitimate chance this team finishes in the top 3 in the Valley and makes the NIT or even the NCAA tourney (one way or another). But............... what if the team fails to meet expectations and finishes in the middle of the pack in the MVC? What then?
This is an absolutely critical season for Mullins and for SIU basketball. If SIU breaks through with a dominant season, then you can expect continued player retention ALONG with positive recruiting results. These make it easier for sustained success. If, however, they finish at, or around, .500 yet again, I think it is absolutely fair to be concerned with the immediate future of the program.
I was pumped heading into last year and the Little Rock game took the wind out of my sails. It started so well too, I thought we were seeing the team that was going to make noise in the Valley and everything fell apart to a bad Little Rock team.
Going into this year cautiously optimistic. The league isn't very strong, at least at the top. Time to make some noise.
Beyond ready. GO DAWGS!
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
I was pumped heading into last year and the Little Rock game took the wind out of my sails. It started so well too, I thought we were seeing the team that was going to make noise in the Valley and everything fell apart to a bad Little Rock team.
Going into this year cautiously optimistic. The league isn't very strong, at least at the top. Time to make some noise.
I am also "cautiously optimistic". The Little Rock game last year exposed our difficulty guarding athletic teams. Hopefully our interior defense will be much improved. Psyched for Monday night. Making the drive to the Dale. Go Dawgs!
Looking forward to the season and Monday night. I will be watching at the little beach bar down here Tampa area (if anyone is in the area for a game please hit me up).
It will be interesting to see if Marcus is fully recovered from the injury year, I feel he was not last year. The team is deep and has a lot of potential, if injuries can be avoided I believe the Egyptian Dawgs will be barking in St. Louis.
Harvey will be missed and was last year, looking forward to seeing the new pieces in action though and hopefully it all comes together.
My guess, SIU finishes 4th in the MVC due to some early season mistakes and poor officiating. The Dawgs eventually turn up the heat on the electric blanket and win the Arch Madness due to lights out shooting from the perimeter and stifling defense while somehow managing to shoot 83% from the line throughout the tournament.
