OVC Offseason Update – SIUE

Find A Way – Year Two

(St. Louis, MO) – The first year of Brian Barone’s dream job of becoming a Division 1 head coach was not easy, but the ‘find a way’ coach has persevered. Year two has started during a global pandemic. Barone’s career has not had an easy beginning.

Prior to Barone’s first season, his father, the legendary Tony Barone passed away. His Cougar team was a source of strength during the first-year coach’s grieving period. While attempting to put his mark on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville basketball program, the Cougars won eight of 31 games.

After winning their Ohio Valley Conference opener at Belmont, SIUE finished by losing 13 of their final 17 games. Ironically, three of the team’s five OVC victories occurred on the road. SIUE has lost at least 20 games for five straight seasons.

Building During A Pandemic

Barone realizes the coronavirus shut down is challenging for all basketball programs. SIUE faces this challenge after a uniquely difficult first season. Barone needed to replace six departing players without the advantage of recruits getting to meet his team members and see the Edwardsville, Illinois campus.

 

 

While suffering through 23 first-season losses, Barone believes critical ingredients were built into the Cougar program. The ‘son-of-a-coach’ hopes his genuineness under fire, his loyalty to his players are part of the foundation of his soon-to-be winning program.

 

 

Building Blocks

While needing to replace six players, the cupboard is hardly bare. Three of last season’s top four scorers return, including leading scorer Zeke Moore. The 6’7 senior led the team with a 12.6 per game scoring average and with 42 three-pointers.

Fellow seniors Cam Williams and Mike Adewunmi were strong contributors. Williams (9.6 ppg) is the only returner other than Moore to average at least 20 minus per game while Adewunmi (8.2 ppg) led the team in with 5.1 rebounds per game.

Barone says Moore’s leadership role is as important as his scoring.

 

 

Barone’s only fall signing was Collinsville’s all-State guard Ray’Sean Taylor. The 6’1 guard averaged over 23 points and five assists per game for the 31-win Kahok squad. Barone says Taylor is a key building block for this a future Cougar seasons.

 

 

Newcomers Find a Way to Edwardsville

Five other newcomers are on their way to the Cougar program. Three junior college transfers join Taylor and two other high school players. Triton College’s Carlos Curtis is a three-star point guard that began his collegiate career at East Tennessee State. Barone says while Curtis brings outside explosiveness, Phillip Pepple and Michael Matas bring some needed interior size.

 

 

Recruiting during the covid-19 epidemic hasn’t been easy, so coaches utilize their contacts and friendships to locate talented players. Last season, Barone signed the Wright twins from Link Year Prep in Branson, Missouri. Barone went back to LYP (see our story on the prep school) to sign highly talented Desmond Polk.

Barone says LYP is a solid program and Polk has great potential.

 

 

Courtney Carter is a 6’2 junior college point guard.

Our entire interview with Barone can be found at Valley Hoops Insider Podcasts.

Barone is attempting to move SIUE from a perennial 20-loss program to a competitive OVC squad. His ‘find a way’ attitude will be in great demand.

Do Good

 

Editor: SIUE’s campus radio station could use your financial help. Covid-19 has hurt them financially. WSIE-FM is the radio station that carries Cougar basketball. Click here to lend a hand.