Thursday, August 19, 2010
Eagles to play Vanderbilt, Illinois in exhibitions
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USI, which went 24-3 overall, 15-3 GLVC, a year ago, visits Illinois November 2 and Vanderbilt November 8. Game times for both contests are to be announced. The Screaming Eagles' bout with Illinois marks the first time that USI Head Coach Rodney Watson has faced his former mentor, Bruce Weber. Watson worked under Weber for five years (1998-2003) as an assistant at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. During that time, the Salukis captured two Missouri Valley Conference titles, appeared in the NIT, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament twice. "Playing at Illinois gives us the opportunity to compete in a Big Ten venue against a team loaded with talent," Watson said. "Bruce Weber is truly one of the outstanding college basketball coaches and a good guy in our profession." Illinois was 21-15 overall, 10-8 Big Ten, last season and advanced to the NIT. Vanderbilt went 24-9 overall, 12-4 SEC, last year and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Commodores finished second in the SEC East Division before losing to Mississippi State University in the SEC Tournament semifinal round. "Vanderbilt will force us to play faster and stronger," Watson said. "We are grateful to coach Kevin Stallings for extending an invitation to play his excellent program. The two-hour trip gives our fans a chance to see us early in November." This marks the first time the Eagles have faced Illinois or Vanderbilt and the first time since 2005 that USI has faced a team from one of the six BCS conferences. The Eagles lost to Tennessee 86-78 and to Louisville 82-77 in 2005. The Eagles lost a 71-69 heartbreaker to Southern Illinois in its only exhibition game of the 2009-10 campaign. |
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