Twelve games into the season, it's still hard to get an accurate read on this Southern Illinois University men's basketball team.
Some things are apparent.
This team is athletic.
Justin Bocot did some eye-popping things in the Salukis' 70-52 win Dec. 29 over Indiana State. The junior guard leaped over, not around or through, but over a Sycamore for a dunk. I'd like to say that's one of the most athletic plays I've ever seen, but it wasn't even the most amazing thing Bocot did in the game.
In the middle of the Salukis' second-half run, Bocot chased down an outlet pass that appeared to be heading out of bounds. He reached the ball at full extension, somehow gained enough control of the ball to dribble behind his back, and then finished the play with a reverse layup.
Reaching the ball took incredible athleticism. Getting the ball under control and then going behind his back defied belief. And finishing the play with a reverse layup ... I got worn out just watching the play.
The athleticism runs through the roster.
This team is resilient.
Many of us gave the Salukis up for dead against San Francisco and Bradley. Yet, this team refused to give up, pulling out miracle finishes in each case. One of the miracle wins was at a neutral site, the other on the road.
Of all the team's assets, resiliency may be the most important.
This team is streaky.
You don't have to look any further than the lights-out shooting the Salukis did in the closing minutes against Bradley. On the other side of the coin, the Dawgs couldn't hit the broad side of a backboard in a Dec. 5 loss at St. Louis.
This Saluki team goes into tonight's game with Northern Iowa at 9-3, just four victories shy of last year's win total. Granted, the Saluki schedule has been more favorable, not to mention realistic, this year.
I don't have an issue with that. Although this team gained a lot of experience last year, it is still relatively young. Learning to win is an art form. This schedule gave the team an opportunity to learn that lesson.
It's hard to argue with 9-3. Yet, there is plenty of room for improvement.
Inconsistency has been an issue, especially on the defensive end. Some of those comebacks have been necessitated by erratic defensive play in the early parts of games. Given the athleticism of this team, consistent defensive effort could produce smothering results.
The other area of inconsistency has been offensive production in the paint. That's not from lack of effort.
I'm not sure anyone has worked harder on the floor in recent years than Nick Evans. Anthony Booker is much more efficient than he was a year ago. However, both have to become more consistent offensive threats for this team to reach its full potential.
And how good can this team be?
That is a heckuva question!
Some things are apparent.
This team is athletic.
Justin Bocot did some eye-popping things in the Salukis' 70-52 win Dec. 29 over Indiana State. The junior guard leaped over, not around or through, but over a Sycamore for a dunk. I'd like to say that's one of the most athletic plays I've ever seen, but it wasn't even the most amazing thing Bocot did in the game.
In the middle of the Salukis' second-half run, Bocot chased down an outlet pass that appeared to be heading out of bounds. He reached the ball at full extension, somehow gained enough control of the ball to dribble behind his back, and then finished the play with a reverse layup.
Reaching the ball took incredible athleticism. Getting the ball under control and then going behind his back defied belief. And finishing the play with a reverse layup ... I got worn out just watching the play.
The athleticism runs through the roster.
This team is resilient.
Many of us gave the Salukis up for dead against San Francisco and Bradley. Yet, this team refused to give up, pulling out miracle finishes in each case. One of the miracle wins was at a neutral site, the other on the road.
Of all the team's assets, resiliency may be the most important.
This team is streaky.
You don't have to look any further than the lights-out shooting the Salukis did in the closing minutes against Bradley. On the other side of the coin, the Dawgs couldn't hit the broad side of a backboard in a Dec. 5 loss at St. Louis.
This Saluki team goes into tonight's game with Northern Iowa at 9-3, just four victories shy of last year's win total. Granted, the Saluki schedule has been more favorable, not to mention realistic, this year.
I don't have an issue with that. Although this team gained a lot of experience last year, it is still relatively young. Learning to win is an art form. This schedule gave the team an opportunity to learn that lesson.
It's hard to argue with 9-3. Yet, there is plenty of room for improvement.
Inconsistency has been an issue, especially on the defensive end. Some of those comebacks have been necessitated by erratic defensive play in the early parts of games. Given the athleticism of this team, consistent defensive effort could produce smothering results.
The other area of inconsistency has been offensive production in the paint. That's not from lack of effort.
I'm not sure anyone has worked harder on the floor in recent years than Nick Evans. Anthony Booker is much more efficient than he was a year ago. However, both have to become more consistent offensive threats for this team to reach its full potential.
And how good can this team be?
That is a heckuva question!
