With SIUC men’s basketball being arguably the biggest sport in the Southern Illinois area, it is only natural that a down season would bring an abundance of negative attention.

A recent letter to the editor published in the Feb. 8 DE caught my attention, and made me realize how many people have forgotten what the preseaon expectations were for this year’s team.

Jonas Hartzler, a senior mathematics major and author of the letter, made many valid points concerning the inefficiency of the SIUC offense, but his attacks of Rich Herrin’s coaching ability were without reason.

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Herrin realizes what his team lacks, and where its weaknesses are. If he did not realize those things, he would have no business coaching on the college level, and would not be in the position he is in.

As Hartzler said, After attending a few of the Saluki men’s basketball games I would like to express my dissatisfaction in the coach’s ability to lead this team. I have sat in the stands watching a lackluster offense with very poor rebounding skills. I blame this on the coaching and not the talent.

Watching a few games from the stands does not qualify as an understanding of Saluki basketball it does, however, qualify one for the armchair quarter back position.

Even after following the team closely since the preseason, it is not my place to judge the coach or players as wrong. They are the people busting their asses every day in practice, battling to reach the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

Having the opportunity to kick someone in the ribs while their down, is not what being a true follower of a team is about.

Since the beginning of the season Herrin has repeatedly commented on how tough it would be for the Salukis to reach post-season play. As he has told me on numerous occasions, Southern Illinois is spoiled with success his team has had in recent years. It is not often that a team three-peats as MVC Tournament Champions, is invited to the NIT Tournament four consecutive years and is fortunate enough to also participate in the NCAA tournament three of those years.

Great players, good talent, good coaching, and everything falling into place has spoiled Southern Illinois. During those three championship years, every Saluki fan was on cloud nine, but now it is time to float back down to reality. Players such as Chris Carr, Marcus Timmons and Ashraf Amaya do not come along every year. They are the players every coach dreams of teaching the game of basketball to.

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This year’s team works every bit as hard as those previous teams, and I think people really need to watch and interact with the team day after day to fully understand what is going on. Many fans are simply frustrated they can not brag about their team’s dominance over the rest of the conference like in recent years, and are expressing their frustration through cheap shots at the coach’s ability to manage his team.

I said before this season began that this team may not win the conference, repeat as MVC Tournament Champions or make a fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, but this team would not be a loser; and with the effort and determination I have seen from players like sophomore guard Shane Hawkins, freshman forward James Watts, senior guard Johnny Dadzie and the rest of the team, there is not a person qualified to label this team as a loser.

True fans are loyal to their team, and don’t question the play or coaching until there is a definite problem; and considering that Herrin has guided his teams to the MVC Tournament every year possible, a rebuilding process does not warrant questioning on whether or not someone can coach.

Dadzie, who is from Harare, Zimbabwe, and probably appreciates his chance to play at SIUC more than most, came off the bench in a 68-63 loss Feb. 8 against Creighton, and gave the Salukis a defensive effort former UCLA coach John Wooden would have been proud of.

Dadzie’s words after the Creighton game best summed up what this year is about for the Salukis.

I knew in the last couple games that all we needed was a spark defensively, and things would have turned around. So I just waited for my chance and hung in there, and I got a chance today and did the best I could.

Even though I’m an senior, and it’s all over, I really appreciate the fact that I’m here, because it is a privilege for me to be here, so I’ve got to give it my all try in practice, and whatever until it is all over. It’s not over till it’s over, and I just kept my head in the game, and hoped that, maybe, I’d get another chance and play hard.

We’ve just got to keep stepping it up defensively. I know things may look like they’re out, but we’ve still got a chance to do something and upset some people. I feel that if we keep playing hard, we will get some breaks eventually it will come.

Herrin came into a struggling program on NCAA probation in 1985, and turned a troubled program into a rich tradition in Southern Illinois and the Missouri Valley Conference.

Upon his arrival at SIUC Herrin had to build from four experienced players on his roster who combined for only 10 games started between them in the previous season, and scored only 108 of the teams 2,004 points (five percent). In that first year, Herrin’s squad compiled a 8-20 record, and was the only Saluki squad under Herrin to date not to compete in postseason play.

Every season since his rookie debut, Herrin has guided his teams past the regular season including four NIT Tournament invitations and three NCAA Tournament invitations. As if that resume was not enough, Herrin has compiled a 187-123 collegiate record at SIUC, and a 803-332 record overall which includes his high school coaching days.

To say the least, Rich Herrin knows basketball.

So, to all the armchair quarterbacks out there, give credit where it is due, and don’t forget to look for spare change between the cushions for that Dominos pizza next time your criticizing from a recliner.