Southern Illinois Basketball: 2021-22 season preview for the Salukis
No. 4 – Impact of head coach Bryan Mullins
Mullins is a winner. He is legendary in Carbondale as a lead performer during SIU’s six-year run of NCAA Tournaments in the 2000s. Mullins was a four-year member of the Valley’s all-defense team and a two-time recipient of the league’s best defender award.
The second-year coach is in Saluki hall-of-fame and is the program’s all-time leader in assists (509) and second all-time in steals (254).
During his playing career, the Salukis won 82 games, a conference championship, and one Arch Madness tournament crown. While assisting Porter Moser at Loyola, the Ramblers went to the Final Four and were one of the nation’s top defensive teams.
Since landing the job at his alma mater, Mullins has made defense a priority. During his first season in Carbondale, the Salukis were one of the nation’s top fifteen teams in scoring defense.
If SIU is going to play the Missouri Valley spoiler role, they will have to steal some games against the top three returning teams. SIU went 0-7 against Loyola, Missouri State, and Drake last year. One was in overtime against LUC.
Marcus Domask missed all seven of those games.
Next. Preseason MVC rankings for 2021-22 season. dark
SIU’s depth, backcourt, twin condos will contribute to their ability to play the Missouri Valley spoiler. Marcus Domask’s return and Mullins’ ability to get his players to play at a high level will determine how much spoiling will take place.