SIU Lands SLU’s Bartley

By Tom Weber, SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois men’s basketball coach Barry Hinson confirmed today that Saint Louis junior guard Marcus Bartley has transferred to SIU.

A 6-foot-4, 176-pound combo guard, Bartley will sit out the upcoming season and have two years of eligibility beginning in 2017-18. The Decatur, Ill. native played in 32 games for the 11-21 Billikens last season and averaged 3.8 points, while shooting a team-best 39.7 percent from 3-point range. Bartley played 17 minutes off the bench In SLU’s 65-52 loss to the Salukis on Dec. 21. He scored double figures three times, including a career-high 24 points in a first-round upset win over George Mason in the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament. He buried 7-of-8 shots from 3-point in that contest.

“The first thing that drew me to him was his great character,” Hinson said. “He’s an unbelievable student. He has a great set of parents. On the floor, he is extremely unselfish. I think all of those are attributes to add to a great program.”

In addition to his breakout performance vs. George Mason, Bartley scored 11 points versus Indiana State and 17 at Massachusetts last year. He also totaled a nearly 2-to-1 assist to turnover ratio (40 assists, 21 turnovers).

“He has some of the best vision of any player that I’ve had the opportunity to coach,” Hinson said. “I see him as a point guard. We told him that in his recruitment all along. I wish we could play three point guards at one time. I think you have to have at least four point guards in your program if you’re able.”

As a true freshman in 2014-15, Bartley started 16 games, averaged 4.9 points and tied for the team lead with 55 assists. He was third in the league with a 43 percent (37-of-86) mark from 3-point.

Hinson said assistant coach Anthony Beane was the lead recruiter on the MacArthur High School grad, dating back to Bartley’s sophomore year in high school. He also credited former Saint Louis coach Jim Crews for Bartley’s collegiate progress.

“Saint Louis did a great job with him in the development of his body,” Hinson said. “He’s gained almost 18 pounds since he entered college and I think he still has untapped potential.”

Bartley fills Southern’s final open scholarship, taking the spot vacated by senior transfer Bola Olaniyan.

Editor: As stated, this is from the Salukis’ website. Bartley becomes the second Saint Louis University player to transfer to an MVC school this year. Milik Yarbrough left the Billikens for Illinois State in the offseason.

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