by Sports Xchange

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAMES: SIU overscheduled last season and the young Salukis paid for it with losses to Duke, UCLA, Western Kentucky, Charlotte, St. Mary's and Nevada.

   Don't look for any of those names on this schedule. Coach Chris Lowery backed off big-time in a search for confidence and momentum. He can be excused -- SIU usually led the MVC in tough scheduling.

   Games at UNLV (Nov. 21) and St. Louis (Dec. 5) highlight the schedule.

PROGRAM DIRECTION: Coach Chris Lowery gets a chance to prove things are headed up this season. After six NCAA trips, the past two seasons were big disappointments.

   Lowery appears to be recruiting well. His contention is that his young players need a season or two to develop. When that happens, he expects SIU to return to the top of the MVC. A renovated SIU Arena should help the program.

   PROBABLE STARTING LINEUP: PG Kevin Dillard, SG Tony Freeman, SF Justin Bocot, PF Carlton Fay, C Anthony Booker.

   ROSTER REPORT:

   --Sophomore guard Ryan Hare was suspended in late September after his arrest for battery and trespassing. Hare started 26 games and averaged 7.5 points in 2009.

   --Former Wisconsin guard Diamond Taylor, kicked off the team in September, is enrolled at SIU. Taylor was arrested on charges of burglary and possession at Wisconsin. Taylor (6-foot-4) was coached by Mike Mullins of the Illinois Wolves, father of former Saluki Bryan Mullins.