SIU heads down to Cape to end the non-conference schedule.
SEMO started the season strong with a win at #188 South Florida and winning 5 of their first 6 but have since lost 6 in a row including losses to #261 Milwaukee and #296 Arkansas State.
Meet the Redhawks:
SEMO is coached by former Saluki Brad Korn in his in his 3rd season with the program after a stint as an assistant coach for Bruce Weber at Kansas State. Korn is currently 30-41 as head coach.
The Redhawks are 304th in the country in Division 1 experience (1.22 years) and 326th in the country in average height (76.1"). SEMO is 64th in the country in bench minutes (36.0%).
SEMO plays a fast tempo, 35th in the country in adjusted tempo (72.6). They are 75th in the country in average possession length on the offensive end (16.4 seconds) and 8th in the country in average possession length on the defensive end (16.0 seconds).
What the Redhawks do well:
SEMO has been a really good outside shooting team this season. The Redhawks are 103rd in the country in 3 point % (35.3%) and they're 43rd in the country in total points coming from 3 pointers (37.2%). If the game comes down to free throws, SEMO is 105th in the country in free throw % (73.1%). On the defensive end, SEMO is 90th in the country in 3 point % against (31.0%)
What the Redhawks don't do well:
On the offensive end, SEMO has struggled near the rim. The Redhawks are 336th in the country in 2 point % (43.4%). They've also struggled at grabbing offensive rebounds as they're 339th in the country in offensive rebounding % (21.9%). Similarly on the defensive end, SEMO has struggled at guarding near the rim. They're 321st in the country in 2 point % against (55.4%). Teams have been able to get to the free throw line against the Redhawks too. SEMO is 350th in the country in free throw attempts per field goal attempts on the defensive end (45.4).
The Redhawks' leading scorer is 5'10 Sophomore Phillip Russell averaging 16.1 points per game. Russell helped lead Vashon High School in St. Louis, MO to a state title in his Junior season and walked-on to Saint Louis for his Freshman season of college. Russell played 8 games at Saint Louis before transferring to SEMO for his 2nd year. In his first year at SEMO, Russell earned Second Team All-OVC and All-Newcomer awards and was 2nd on the team in scoring. This season, Russell is SEMO's leader in shots and possessions. Russell is 74th in the country in % of possessions when on the floor (29.1%) and 152nd in the country in % of shots when on the floor (28.8%). Russell is also the team leader in assists with 4.5 assists per game and he's 39th in the country in assist rate (33.2). Russell also does a good job at getting to the line and making his free throws as he's 128th in the country in fouls drawn per 40 minutes (5.5) and 122nd in the country in free throw % (38-44, 86.4%).
SEMO's leading rebounder is 6'6 Senior Kobe Clark averaging 9.4 rebounds per game. Clark was a 3 star recruit out of Vashon High School in St. Louis, MO and chose Georgetown over offers from Saint Louis among others. Clark played 21 games at Georgetown before transferring to SEMO this offseason. This season, Clark is 193rd in the country in defensive rebounding % (21.0%), 217th in the country in block % (4.5%), and 318th in the country in steal % (3.0%).
One of the mainstays at SEMO over the years has been 6'3 Senior Chris Harris. Harris started his collegiate career at John A. Logan before transferring to SEMO where he's spent the last 4 seasons. This season, Harris earned a preseason All-Ohio Valley selection and has been effective at drawing fouls at getting to the free throw line. Harris is 199th in the country in fouls drawn per 40 minutes (5.2) and he's 460th in the country in free throw rate (35.3).
Other names to watch on the Redhawks include 6'9 Freshman Adam Larson, who has been SEMO's 3 point threat this season. Larson is 161st in the country in 3 point % (16-36, 44.4%). 6'3 Junior Aquan Smart is on his 3rd school in 3 years and originally from Niles North High School in Skokie, IL. Smart was a 3 star recruit out of high school and spent one year at Maryland and another year at FIU before transferring to SEMO. Smart is currently 399th in the country in steal % (2.8%).
Links:
SIU Game Notes
SEMO Game Notes
If I can shake this cold, I'll be at the game. What section will the Saluki fans be in?
If I can shake this cold, I'll be at the game. What section will the Saluki fans be in?
In the "Around the Valley" thread they said SEMO has tickets in Sections 105-106 for SIU fans with the promo code "Salukis" online. Or you can just move to those sections, doubt it's gonna be a packed house.
Looking for a good game for these Dawgs as they continue to solidify their roles and get more comfortable with each other. I think Mullins has done a great job of "establishing the culture". Do we see some serious team chemistry starting? I, as lot of you, have not always agreed with his starting lineups or his seeming unwillingness to give some players more floor time. That seems to have changed recently. Every player is contributing. Players not named Domask and Jones are getting more floor time. Nice to see Marcus getting more rest. Not only is Rupert now starting, but he is playing more minutes than he was at the beginning of the season, and deservedly so. The guy plays hard and he and Lance Jones are a 2-man wrecking crew. A.J. Ferguson is getting more minutes also. The kid seems like he is ready to break out to be something special. A victory against SEMO will certainly give the team some nice mojo heading into the conference season. Go Dawgs!
I agree with you. (and I went to the last game!)Looking for a good game for these Dawgs as they continue to solidify their roles and get more comfortable with each other. I think Mullins has done a great job of "establishing the culture". Do we see some serious team chemistry starting? I, as lot of you, have not always agreed with his starting lineups or his seeming unwillingness to give some players more floor time. That seems to have changed recently. Every player is contributing. Players not named Domask and Jones are getting more floor time. Nice to see Marcus getting more rest. Not only is Rupert now starting, but he is playing more minutes than he was at the beginning of the season, and deservedly so. The guy plays hard and he and Lance Jones are a 2-man wrecking crew. A.J. Ferguson is getting more minutes also. The kid seems like he is ready to break out to be something special. A victory against SEMO will certainly give the team some nice mojo heading into the conference season. Go Dawgs!
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
@dawgbytes are you getting a little defensive?a guy mentions how much he likes that AJ is getting to play and he didn't play at all at the last game so I am just asking did he go? I hope we beat SEMO and do well in conference play. Go Dawgs
@dawgbytes are you getting a little defensive?a guy mentions how much he likes that AJ is getting to play and he didn't play at all at the last game so I am just asking did he go? I hope we beat SEMO and do well in conference play. Go Dawgs
Defensive about….?
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
Mike Reis In the Dawghouse interview:
https://www.1035espn.com/episode/in-the-dawghouse-12-19-22-mike-reis/
I don't expect this to be an easy game. Korn is a good coach and the D1 transfers could be a handful. We have a HUGE height advantage on the inside. Now, watch Bryan start a small line-up because "we had to match up with them." 🙄
With the losing streak they're on, Korn is going to have them ready for this one: at home against their regional rival (if you can call us that) and his alma mater.
Like others have said, I expect a close game, and wouldn't be surprised if we leave with a loss.
I would be very surprised by a loss the team is playing much better rotations seem to be better confidence is much better and I believe everyone learned a valuable lesson at USI
Also expect a close game and will not be surprised with a loss. Then again, that's how I feel just about every game. Team is playing together better and should win even though it's on the road.
For some reason, this game seems bigger than most OOC. Probably because it's the last and may set the tone for MVC.
March on triumphantly!
For anyone wanting to try a fellow Saluki’s business, the China Palace on Broadway down at Cape is my restaurant. I’ll be there till about 6 tomorrow before I head to the game.
