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Southern Illinois Edwardsville Basketball: 2021-22 Cougars season preview

By Harry Schroeder

MURRAY, KY - FEBRUARY 09: Shaq Buchanan #11 and Darnell Cowart #32 of the Murray State Racers defend against Tyresse Williford #5 of the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars in the first half of the game at CFSB Center on February 9, 2019 in Murray, Kentucky. Murray State won 86-55. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MURRAY, KY - FEBRUARY 09: Shaq Buchanan #11 and Darnell Cowart #32 of the Murray State Racers defend against Tyresse Williford #5 of the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars in the first half of the game at CFSB Center on February 9, 2019 in Murray, Kentucky. Murray State won 86-55. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Ncaa March Madness And Big Ten Basketball Courts Inside Lucas Oil Stadium In Indianapolis March 4 2021
Ncaa March Madness And Big Ten Basketball Courts Inside Lucas Oil Stadium In Indianapolis March 4 2021 /

2021-22 outlook for Southern Illinois Edwardsville basketball

The Cougars will be more talented and possess a deeper roster than at any time during Barone’s tenure. His ‘Find-A-Way’ mantra is taking root in Edwardsville and skill-level is on the rise. The arrival of Ray’Sean Taylor is a significant event in the growth of the Cougar program.

He is potentially the most talented player with local ties to ever play at SIUE.

The growth and maturity of the Wright twins will be a key ingredient to this team’s success, but the overall depth of this team is undeniably better than last season. Carter, Curtis, and Doss are proven D1 scorers and Williams is the ultimate kind of ‘glue guy’.

If the freshman class has one or two emerging players, this will be a team that easily goes ten deep.
With the departure of Eastern Kentucky and Jacksonville State, there are just ten OVC teams. Three of those teams (Eastern Illinois, UT Martin, and Austin Peay) have new coaches.

While Belmont, Morehead State, and Murray State should hover around the top of the league standings, the other seven teams should be fairly even. SIUE, Southeast Missouri, Tennessee Tech, and Tennessee State all should be better than last season.

The Cougars have routinely finished in the bottom four of the previously 12-team OVC. It would not be surprising to see Barone’s squad finish anywhere from fourth to seventh.

Next. Ranking all D-I head coaches for 2021-22. dark

The health of those returning from injury, may be the key factor in this team’s success. Taylor, Williams, Curtis, and Eze have all had injury problems. If this team stays healthy, there is no reason why this version of Southern Illinois Edwardsville basketball can’t be the best in its Division 1 history.