Tatum, Young ready for to lead SIU

Before Selection Sunday, Saint Mary’s guard Paul Marigney knew nothing about SIU. He knows now.

Before Sunday’s second-round NCAA Tournament game, Oklahoma State guard John Lucas stumbled over Darren Brooks’ name. Afterward, Brooks’ name rolled off Lucas’ tongue in perfect rhythm.

The Salukis made lasting impressions on their opposition, and maybe even the entire country. It is becoming a cardinal sin to attach SIU to the mid-major label.

All that being said, the program is now entering somewhat of a rebuilding stage with Brooks, Stetson Hairston, LaMar Owen and Josh Warren having played their final game in maroon and white Sunday.

The program’s future no longer weighs on the shoulders of Brooks and Hairston but on those of Jamaal Tatum and Tony Young.

One is quick with an even quicker release. The other, a defensive monster with an ever-improving jump shot. Both, though, seem poised to make the switch to lead roles.

“We’ve built it up to where it is at,” said Hairston, “And I have confidence in these guys that they’ll keep it going.”

Tatum more than held his own against Lucas in an 85-77 loss to Oklahoma State Sunday. The second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference guard led the Salukis with 22 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. He also had three assists, two rebounds and two steals.

“They’ve got real quick guards, especially that No. 3, Tatum,” Lucas said. “I had trouble guarding him. He’s real quick and he moves without the ball well.”

Against Saint Mary’s, Tatum went for nine points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal. He averaged 15.5 points, three assists and 1.5 steals in that two-game span.

Young personifies an SIU squad known for its pressure defense and has been the heart and soul of the Salukis this season. The 6-foot, 190-pound guard never gives up a breakaway lay up and, in doing so, suffered a busted lip in the Salukis’ 65-56 victory against Saint Mary’s Friday.

Along with Tatum and Young in the backcourt is Mike Dale, who has proven this season that he has the strength to guard bigger players and the quickness to defend smaller ones.

Dale scored a career-high 15 points against Saint Louis Dec. 21 and Southwest Missouri State Jan. 15, but may have turned in his best performance of the season Sunday.

Dale played a major role in helping SIU to a 46-39 halftime lead against Oklahoma State, scoring nine points in just nine minutes.

In the frontcourt are forwards Matt Shaw, Randal Falker and Jamaal Foster.

Shaw scored 10 points and snatched down five rebounds in 25 minutes against the Cowboys before fouling out. Against Saint Mary’s, he scored 12 points with seven rebounds. He averaged 11 points and six rebounds in the tournament.

“[Shaw] is going to be a great player, even though he’s a freshman,” said Cowboy senior Ivan McFarlin, who scored a career-high 31 points. “He’s going to be awesome.”

Falker played just 12 minutes Sunday before fouling out with one point and two rebounds. His foul plagued game was a far contrast from his eight-point, three-rebound effort against the Gaels Friday.

Foster did not see much playing time this season, something that should change dramatically next season. Foster has shown he is not afraid to use his body to create space in the post, but seemed to be out of sync at times this season.

In addition to these six players will be redshirt freshmen Wesley Clemmons and Tony Boyle, and the Valley’s best recruiting class.

“The program is in great hands with coach Lowery, the coaching staff and these young players,” Brooks said. “They are going to continue to work hard and continue to push.”

Said Tatum:”We’ve got people who care about winning, so we can definitely keep it going.”

Reporter Drew Stevens can be reached at [email protected]