End of year column

What do you mean, no more Brad Korn jumpers or Jermaine Dearman spin moves or Stetson Hairston steals for a whole eight months?

Carbondale is now in the calm after the storm, still coming down from its Sweet Sixteen high and waiting for the weather to warm up so the rumors that spring has arrived can be confirmed.

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There’s little left to do but reflect on what truly was a wondrous season from almost knocking the Illini off their high horse in Vegas to turning the Hoosiers into roadkill to winning a share of the Valley title on a daffy Monday night at the Arena to, of course, the Salukis’ triumphs in the NCAA tournament.

The Salukis danced as deep into the tournament as Duke or the Illini did. The only point of frustration for SIU in Friday’s loss to UConn is that the Salukis didn’t leave the game knowing they had been outclassed, but instead, wondering whether the game would have had a different outcome if the Salukis’ shooting hadn’t been as alarmingly frosty as the Syracuse air.

But the loss to UConn will be soon forgotten. The season won’t be. And, most definitely, this Saluki team won’t be.

They were the Down and Dirty Dawgs, a nickname that surfaced near the end of the season paying homage to the Salukis’ dogged defense that became the team’s trademark.

They were a group undeterred by the lack of recognition they received despite looking the part of a postseason team all year long, and one that kept plugging away until the national media had no choice but to tell the country who the hell and what the hell the Salukis are.

SIU was a team with a story that went untold until it was time for the final chapters to be written. Luckily, the ending didn’t disappoint.

They were about a young man who was given a second chance in life, and who took full advantage. People in Southern Illinois knew little about Rolan Roberts in November beyond his murky off-court reputation, but chose to accept into their hearts the muscle-bound East Coast kid who dropped into town with just one year of eligibility.

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Roberts turned out to have a heart as thick as one of his gargantuan biceps, showing himself to be a warrior in the UConn game by single-handedly keeping the Salukis afloat with his battering play in the paint.

As compelling as Roberts was, he was only one component of a team filled with stories.

The Salukis were about a pair of freshmen who flashed brilliance more than their experience level should have allowed for, and who offered SIU fans legitimate hope that the Salukis’ prosperity will not be short-lived.

They were about Kent Williams reveling in the unique gratification that came with being a huge part in the success of the team he grew up rooting for. They were about Dearman transforming himself from a lovable goof to a lovable star-in-the-making.

And the Salukis were about head coach Bruce Weber removing all doubt that he’s a coaching gem. Weber made a terrific impression on SIU fans almost from the moment he hit Carbondale, thanks to an unflagging work ethic, a willingness to immerse himself in the Southern Illinois community and, naturally, his penchant for winning basketball.

Now, Weber, his assistants and his players have ensured that they’ll be mentioned with names like Walt Frazier, Jack Hartman, Mike Glenn, Rich Herrin and all the others who have made SIU hoops a tradition-rich program.

The Down and Dirty Dawgs were a rare team capable of withstanding the bright glare of the NCAA tournament and playing some of their best basketball there, sending Bob Knight packing and storming from 19 points back against one of the best teams in the one of the country’s best conferences.

Now their majestic ride is over, and after a few months, a revitalized Saluki fandom will be hungry for an encore. The Salukis will have the ingredients for another 20-win season next year, with Williams and Dearman around to anchor what will be another talented group.

But the 2002-03 Salukis will have one hell of an act to follow.

It won’t be easy to one-up the team that reminded Southern Illinois and SIU fans nationwide that they love their Salukis.

Jay Schwab can be reached at [email protected]