March Moments SIU – Mike Reis

Sweet 16 Salukis

(St. Louis, MO) – Southern Illinois spent six straight seasons playing in the NCAA Tournament. During that half a dozen years, the Salukis twice went to the Sweet Sixteen. Hall-of-Fame broadcaster Mike Reis was there to see those special March Moments SIU style.

Southern Illinois experienced March Madness during 2002 and 2003 under Bruce Weber, in 2004 under Matt Painter and 2005, 06 & 07 under Chris Lowery. The Sweet Sixteen runs happened in 2002 and 2007. SIU was looking a little like the ‘Gonzaga of the Midwest’.

The star of those early teams was Mount Vernon, Illinois’ Kent Williams. Reis says not only is Williams one of SIU’s all-time greats but that he is one of the most ‘impactful’ players in Saluki history.

 

 

‘Big Game’ Jermaine Dearman was a huge contributor to the historic 2002 Sweet Sixteen success. Dearman averaged 12.3 points and 7.7 rebounds, but during SIU’s two Tournament victories he exploded for 17 points and eleven rebounds against Texas Tech and 25 points against Georgia.

Reis says Dearman was an outstanding player and an electric personality.

 

 

The First Sweet Sixteen Experience

Under Bruce Weber, SIU had built a team ready to compete nationally. You couldn’t predict a Sweet Sixteen appearance, but success was anticipated. SIU had not gone dancing since 1995, but lost the Arch Madness final to Creighton and was an NCAA Tournament eleven seed. After defeating six seeded Texas Tech, they prevailed over the number three team, Georgia.

Reis says the entire journey was surreal and stands alone as the top overall experience in his professional life.

 

 

March Moments SIU – Part Two

SIU would return to the NCAA Tournament the next five seasons under Weber and two other coaches. Matt Painter led them there in 2004, while Chris Lowery directed the Salukis to three more appearances. They won one contest in 2005 and prior to that national tournament, they held a small but prominent place on a Sports Illustrated cover.

Perhaps the 2007 team most personified the ‘Floor Burn U’ moniker. Brian Mulllins and Tony Young terrorized opposing guards while Randall Falker made athletic plays on the back side. Jamall Tatum led the team in scoring.

Despite losing to Creighton in St. Louis, the Salukis received a four seed and believed they could make some national noise. Reis says that team believed they were a Final Four caliber team and may be the best Southern Illinois team of all time.

 

 

The 2007 team defeated Holy Cross by ten points and Virginia Tech by 15. During their Elite Eight game Tatum scored 19 points and Young added 14. Southern fell 61-58 and finished the season with a record of 29-7.

Our entire conversation with Mike Reis can be heard at Valley Hoops Insider Podcasts. 

During that six-year span the Salukis won 155 games, claimed five regular season titles, one Arch Madness championship and three, ‘Larry Bird – Player of the Year trophies’. Those are March Moments SIU style.

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