Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Basketball Receives NIT Bid
March 17, 2008 | Cowboy Basketball
“I think it's a tough draw,” said OSU head coach Sean Sutton. “Southern Illinois has really been one of the most successful programs in college basketball the last four or five years. We're familiar with them in that we played them in the Ford Center in the second round (NCAA Tournament) in 2005. They had a great team that year and we were fortunate to win that game.”
“They're one of the best defensive teams, year in and year out, in college basketball,” Sutton continued. “The fact that it's at their place — we've never played there — but just watching it on TV and talking to different coaches and teams that have played there, I know it's a very tough environment. It will be a real challenge.”
The Cowboys are 2-3 all-time vs. Southern Illinois, including the last meeting in the 2005 NCAA Tournament in Oklahoma City. OSU defeated the Salukis 85-77 and advanced to the Sweet 16 that season.
“Our guys were out here (at Sutton's house) and they seemed excited,” said Sutton. “I think they're looking forward to the challenge. There's no question when their (SIU) name popped up, there was instant respect, unlike a year ago, when some of our guys, especially our seniors, weren't that excited about playing in the NIT. I sensed that there was great respect for the name Southern Illinois and the fact that it's on the road, I think our guys understand that its going to be a tough, tough game.”
Oklahoma State, which currently has a 17-15 record, will serve as the No. 5 seed. SIU is 17-14 this season and is the No. 4 seed. The winner will advance to play the winner of top-seed Arizona State and No. 8 Alabama State.
