(Edwardsville, IL) – Six wins and 22 losses is not a record any first year head coach enjoys. But Southern Illinois Edwardsville’s Jon Harris remains optimistic that his building program is right on schedule.
Harris’ experience as an assistant coach is helping him maintain the long view. As an assistant at Marquette, Missouri State, Tennessee and California, Harris watched as programs both rebuilt and maintained successful systems. Working for Tom Crean and Cuonzo Martin also helped Harris learn different approaches to a successful program.
Harris is upbeat and says that despite the difficult first season, he is grateful for the opportunity. So that our faithful readers can get to know Coach Harris, we also asked him to play a little ‘word association’ concerning California Head Coach Cuonzo Martin, Bradley’s Brian Wardle, the NBA’s Dwyane Wade and his high school basketball coach Mike Waldo.
SIUE has some key returning players, including their two leading scorers Burak Eslik and Carlos Anderson. Seven new players join the Cougar roster in 2016-17. Two transfers, Trey Harris and Glenn Pierre and five freshmen represent the hopes of SIUE fans.
Harris seems genuinely excited about his expanded talent pool. Trey Harris (K-State) and Pierre (College of Charleston) have Division 1 experience and have the skill set to compete in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Anderson, a sophomore from nearby Alton High and Jackson from Cardinal Ritter Prep (St. Louis) indicate Coach Harris’ ability to crack the talent rich St. Louis prep basketball community.
The haul of talent provides some needed experience, size and more perimeter scoring helping SIUE fans join Harris in some cautious optimism.
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Three more road wins so far in @ValleyHoops as @BradleyUMBB @BelmontMBB & @UIC_MBB capture road wins. Looks like @DrakeBulldogsMB will do so too. #FatherHarry
Well @RacersWBB followed the men's example and swept Iowa in the @ValleyHoops race! Racers are 6-1 & if @BelmontWBB holds on to their Iowa sweep, the Bruins and Racers will be tied for first. What a trip for those two teams! #FatherHarry
After today's action, @EIUWBB is 8-0 in @OVCSports play. 4 teams @usiwbb @TTUWBB @LRTrojans @LindenwoodWBB are tied at 6-2. Six other teams are under .500. Great race to the finish lies ahead. #FatherHarry
Really entertaining game between @BelmontMBB & @UEAthletics_MBB. Under four minutes left in a one point game. Gabriel Pozzato back in the Aces' lineup. Rogers is playing like I've expected. Triples are dropping. It's fun and @kylejpeach bringing it on #ThePlus #FatherHarry
