LARAMIE, Wyo. - Walking down the street, Randal Falker and Matt Shaw probably wouldn't be considered small. But as so-called big men at the Division I level, that's exactly what they are.
The Salukis' starting forwards are both 6-foot-7. The sophomores routinely give up several inches to opposing 'bigs.'
"Height has never been a problem for us, because we've always been tough," head coach Chris Lowery said. "Obviously size is going to be a factor because we're not tough enough to fight. But we've got to get tougher and we've got to get it corrected right now."
SIU gets another shot at establishing an inside game in a 3 p.m. tipoff today against the Wyoming Cowboys inside the Arena-Auditorium (Mediacom). The visitors may find it tough to breathe at 7,220 feet, the elevation in Laramie.
"(In 2003) I remember you could only play for 3 or 4 minutes for a time at most before you had to go to the bench," said junior guard Jamaal Tatum. "That's how tough it was."
Thus far, SIU's interior game has been tough to figure out.
Falker and Shaw have missed 22 of their last 32 field attempts. Throw in 15 turnovers in their past three games, and it has been a forgettable start to the 2005-06 season for the promising duo.
Strangely, both players used the same phrase - "We've got to turn it around" - in describing their mission today.
"Any time we get a chance to score, we've got to take advantage of that," Shaw said.
"We can't keep doing this," Falker added.
The coaching staff has focused on getting the ball inside. In a 56-42 loss at St. Louis University on Wednesday, the Salukis were at their best when they did so. In the first minute after halftime, Shaw twice bullied his way to the basket and drew free throws. Falker complemented Shaw with two powerful rebounds as SIU cut a 13-point deficit to one (23-22).
"We're trying to go where we need to, we just got to get playing," Lowery said. "We've got to make plays down there. We're setting them up and we're not getting what we want."
Falker finished with 10 rebounds, his first memorable appearance since he grabbed 12 boards in the season opener. The sophomore has taken SIU's (2-3) three losses in four games as tough as anyone.
Asked what needed to change, Falker said, "We (need to) play hard. We (need to) play tough. We don't quit. We love each other, that's what we have to do. That's the only thing we can do. That's what we've got to do. If we don't love each other, then we're out here for nothing."
SIU's anemic offense recorded its lowest scoring total since 1986 in the loss to SLU. But the Salukis said it was their defensive effort that was most disappointing. For the fourth-straight game, they allowed an opponent to shoot over 46 percent from the field.
In their final 20 games last season, only three opponents shot 46 percent or better.
"With a young team they feel that if they're not scoring, they're not playing well. That's what we've got to get reversed," Lowery said. "We've always been a defensive-minded team first, offense is second. A lot of our defense generates our offense. Now we're not getting any offense from our defense. So now they're totally concentrated on the offensive end. We've got to get that changed."
The Salukis' frontcourt won't get a break today. Wyoming's top player is 6-foot-10 Justin Williams, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in the Missouri Valley Conference and is averaging over 15 rebounds in four games.
Cowboys (3-2) head coach Steve McClain said he is leaning toward starting 6-8 freshman Ike Okoye at the 4 spot. UW's usual starting forward, 6-9 forward Derek Wabbington, remains out with a knee injury, McClain said.
The Cowboys are coming off a 63-47 loss at Washington State, an offensive struggle similar to SIU's ineptitude at SLU. Washington State pressured Wyoming into 27 turnovers.
The Cowboys start a freshman (Brandon Ewing) at the point and a sophomore (Brad Jones) at shooting guard. The two guards combined for 14 turnovers at Washington State, and SIU is hoping to pressure them into further miscues.
Lowery said Friday he will start a small and quick backcourt of Jamaal Tatum, Tony Young and Bryan Mullins. Such a lineup could give the Salukis a better presence on the defensive end. Mike Dale will move to a reserve position.
"I think Washington State taught us a lesson," McClain said Friday. "And I think Southern Illinois pressures way harder than Washington State did. Especially when you're dealing with two young guards, you've got to be careful."
The Salukis' starting forwards are both 6-foot-7. The sophomores routinely give up several inches to opposing 'bigs.'
"Height has never been a problem for us, because we've always been tough," head coach Chris Lowery said. "Obviously size is going to be a factor because we're not tough enough to fight. But we've got to get tougher and we've got to get it corrected right now."
SIU gets another shot at establishing an inside game in a 3 p.m. tipoff today against the Wyoming Cowboys inside the Arena-Auditorium (Mediacom). The visitors may find it tough to breathe at 7,220 feet, the elevation in Laramie.
"(In 2003) I remember you could only play for 3 or 4 minutes for a time at most before you had to go to the bench," said junior guard Jamaal Tatum. "That's how tough it was."
Thus far, SIU's interior game has been tough to figure out.
Falker and Shaw have missed 22 of their last 32 field attempts. Throw in 15 turnovers in their past three games, and it has been a forgettable start to the 2005-06 season for the promising duo.
Strangely, both players used the same phrase - "We've got to turn it around" - in describing their mission today.
"Any time we get a chance to score, we've got to take advantage of that," Shaw said.
"We can't keep doing this," Falker added.
The coaching staff has focused on getting the ball inside. In a 56-42 loss at St. Louis University on Wednesday, the Salukis were at their best when they did so. In the first minute after halftime, Shaw twice bullied his way to the basket and drew free throws. Falker complemented Shaw with two powerful rebounds as SIU cut a 13-point deficit to one (23-22).
"We're trying to go where we need to, we just got to get playing," Lowery said. "We've got to make plays down there. We're setting them up and we're not getting what we want."
Falker finished with 10 rebounds, his first memorable appearance since he grabbed 12 boards in the season opener. The sophomore has taken SIU's (2-3) three losses in four games as tough as anyone.
Asked what needed to change, Falker said, "We (need to) play hard. We (need to) play tough. We don't quit. We love each other, that's what we have to do. That's the only thing we can do. That's what we've got to do. If we don't love each other, then we're out here for nothing."
SIU's anemic offense recorded its lowest scoring total since 1986 in the loss to SLU. But the Salukis said it was their defensive effort that was most disappointing. For the fourth-straight game, they allowed an opponent to shoot over 46 percent from the field.
In their final 20 games last season, only three opponents shot 46 percent or better.
"With a young team they feel that if they're not scoring, they're not playing well. That's what we've got to get reversed," Lowery said. "We've always been a defensive-minded team first, offense is second. A lot of our defense generates our offense. Now we're not getting any offense from our defense. So now they're totally concentrated on the offensive end. We've got to get that changed."
The Salukis' frontcourt won't get a break today. Wyoming's top player is 6-foot-10 Justin Williams, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in the Missouri Valley Conference and is averaging over 15 rebounds in four games.
Cowboys (3-2) head coach Steve McClain said he is leaning toward starting 6-8 freshman Ike Okoye at the 4 spot. UW's usual starting forward, 6-9 forward Derek Wabbington, remains out with a knee injury, McClain said.
The Cowboys are coming off a 63-47 loss at Washington State, an offensive struggle similar to SIU's ineptitude at SLU. Washington State pressured Wyoming into 27 turnovers.
The Cowboys start a freshman (Brandon Ewing) at the point and a sophomore (Brad Jones) at shooting guard. The two guards combined for 14 turnovers at Washington State, and SIU is hoping to pressure them into further miscues.
Lowery said Friday he will start a small and quick backcourt of Jamaal Tatum, Tony Young and Bryan Mullins. Such a lineup could give the Salukis a better presence on the defensive end. Mike Dale will move to a reserve position.
"I think Washington State taught us a lesson," McClain said Friday. "And I think Southern Illinois pressures way harder than Washington State did. Especially when you're dealing with two young guards, you've got to be careful."
