All-time Saluki Draft Face-off

Dozens of Salukis have felt knots in their stomach on NBA draft day.

Today, those knots return.

As former SIU point guard Bryan Mullins awaits word on whether he will be picked in tonight’s draft, he will join the ranks today of all past and present Salukis eligible for the Daily Egyptian’s “All-time Saluki Draft.”

Every player to don an SIU uniform is fair game and assumed to be in his prime. Once a player is picked off the board, that player cannot be drafted.

A lottery was conducted to give current and former sports reporters Jeff Engelhardt, Sean McGahan, Brian Feldt and Matt Freeland a chance at their ideal Saluki team.

Now, at the suggestion of former sports editor Luis C. Medina, those teams are revealed.

First round

1.    Engelhardt — Walt Frazier (1964-65, 66-67)
The 6-foot, 4-inch point guard is an NBA icon and considered to be one of the best point guards of all-time. He led SIU to its only national championship and is far-and-away the greatest player in the history of Saluki basketball.

2.    McGahan — Joe C. Meriweather (1974-76)
For all-around impact on the floor, look no further than 10-year NBA veteran Joe C. He averaged an astounding 12.9 rebounds per game at SIU (the best all-time), 2.1 blocks (by far the best all-time) and is the eighth leading scorer despite only playing 78 games in maroon. He will swat away anybody on this board.

3.    Feldt —Charlie Vaughn (1958-62)
With Frazier and Meriweather off the board, it makes sense to go with SIU’s all-time leading scorer. Vaughn has scored the most points in school history (2,088), while playing in less games, ranks among the school’s best in rebounding (7.9 rpg), and led the Salukis to their first undisputed conference championship in 1961. His one shortfall was academic problems.

4.    Freeland — Seymour Bryson (1955-1959)
With Sean taking the best big man in SIU history, I feel like I need someone to counter him in the paint.  Therefore Seymour Bryson, SIU’s career rebounding champion and quite possibly the second best big man in SIU history, is the number four overall selection.

Second round

1.    Engelhardt – Mike Glenn (1973-77)
The “Stinger” was one of the most explosive scorers in SIU history. He ranks third all-time at SIU with 1,878 career points. Glenn also had a very successful 10-year NBA career. You can’t beat this backcourt.

2.    McGahan – Troy Hudson (1996-97)
Carbondale’s homegrown NBA talent deserves a spot on the floor for his unyielding defense, which he mostly developed in his hard-fought NBA career. In his short time at SIU, he was mostly known for his offense as a 21.3 points per game scorer. But his ability to adapt his game over the years makes him perfect for any team.

3.    Feldt – Jamaal Tatum (2003-07)
Tatum’s leadership and proven track record of winning games gives him the nod in the talent-rich position of guard. SIU lost just 31 games during his career. His numbers are among some of the school’s greatest and he led SIU to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

4.    Freeland – Ashraf Amaya (1989-93)
I’m going big again with my second round selection.  Give me Amaya.  Anybody who wants to drive into the lane against Bryson and Amaya will be dusting the court with their own bodies.
 

Third round

1.    Engelhardt – Randal Falker (2004-08)
With two great guards, this team needs a big man. Falker was an MVC Defensive Player of the Year and a great rebounder as he ranks sixth in SIU history with 905 boards. The dreadlocked bruiser is one of the few great big men in Saluki history.

2.    McGahan – Shane Hawkins (1995-98)
If one man can make the dingy bleachers of the SIU Arena shine, it’s “Sugar” Shane Hawkins. He had the prettiest form of any Saluki shooter, and also the deadliest aim. Known for his long-range game (314 converted three-pointers, including 8-of-9 in an NCAA Tournament loss to Syracuse) he and Hudson will make it rain in the backcourt.

3.    Feldt – Marcus Timmons (1991-95)
At this point, I’m looking for a big guy to balance out my guard-heavy roster. Timmons is the best available in that category. He was named the Missouri Valley Conference’s Defensive Player of the Yeat in 1995 and is among all-time school leaders in scoring (13th), rebounds (fourth) and steals (second).

4.    Freeland – Chris Carr (1992-95)
Really?  How does Chris Carr fall to me with the 12th overall pick?  Carr is one of the best scorers in SIU history and was also drafted as the 56th overall selection in the 1995 NBA draft and played six seasons with six teams. He’s a big part of my offense.
 

Fourth round

1.    Engelhardt – Kent Williams (1999-03)
With so many great guards, it makes sense to go with a three-guard lineup. Williams is second all-time with 2,012 career points. He was a ferocious defender and had the energy and strength to guard bigger opponents. No other Saluki played more minutes than Williams.

2.    McGahan – Dick Garrett (1967-69)
Living in the shadow of Walt Frazier for a college career is tough, but Garrett proved Frazier wasn’t the only reason for the team’s surprising NIT championship. Garrett could go off offensively at any second (as proved by one 46-point performance) and was a tough leader for the team that caught the nation off-guard.

3.    Feldt – Darren Brooks (2001-05)
Two-time MVC Player of the Year, two-time MVC Defensive Player of the Year, Brooks should be considered a steal at this point. An all-around dynamic player, Brooks could do pretty much everything: fifth in career scoring (1,761), eighth in career 3-pointers made (156), 12th in career rebounding (673), third in assists (410) and second in steals (258).

4.    Freeland – Steve Middleton (1984-88)
I’m going to use Carr as my three-guard, so that leaves me with a point guard and a shooting guard left to pick.  I choose Steve Middleton with my fourth round selection.  Middleton scored 25.4 points per game during the 1987-88 season, the second highest mark in school history.
 

Fifth round

1.    Engelhardt – Rolan Roberts (2001-02)
Though he only played one season, Roberts was a gifted big man. After setting records at Virginia Tech, Roberts came to SIU where he led the MVC and was fourth in the nation in field goal percentage. He tallied 87 blocks en route to being named MVC Defensive Player of the Year.

2.    McGahan – Tony Young (2002-07)
No one has played more games in a Saluki uniform than Young, and no one has put more wear and tear into the jersey of the opposition. Young could get in the grill of any scorer and make them forget the seemingly simple task of putting a ball in a basket. He rounds out the roster nicely with his ability to convert on the intangible hustle plays.

3.    Feldt – Greg Starrick (1969-72)
The best free-throw shooter in school history was one of the few bright spots in the few years following SIU’s NIT Championship. The guy barely missed. Throughout his entire career, Starrick missed just 33 free throws. Starrick, who transferred to SIU from Kentucky, gives my team a great shooter for late in the game.

4.    Freeland – Bryan Mullins (2004-09)
Now it’s time for me to select a point guard.  And I would like a defensive one at that.  Having that Lowery is my coach, who else could I choose but Bryan Mullins?  This 6-foot, 1-inch guard is as gritty as they get and was a great leader on the floor.  He is also number one in steals per game over a career at 2.09 a contest.

Sixth round

1.    Engelhardt – Tyrone Green (2006-08)
His name won’t show up in school record books, but Green played with a contagious energy and was a stellar defender. Anytime Green stepped on the floor, the energy was sure to ramp up. I always thought he was the perfect spark off the bench as his defense and dunks motivated the team.

2.    McGahan – Stetson Hairston (2001-05)
It’s tough to imagine a nicer present in the sixth round than Hairston. No. 25 always kept the Salukis alive with key steals and rebounds as the game clock wore down. Like Tatum, he always brought his A-game to his seven NCAA Tournament matches and put the team in a position to win. Off the bench, he’s lifting this team to the top.

3.    Feldt – Rick Shipley (1987-1991)
In a perfect world, I’d have Tony Young off the bench. But rules are rules. Therefore, Shipley makes the cut. The SIU hall-of-famer was the MVC rebounding champ in 1991 and helped turn SIU back into a winning program in the early '90s.

4.    Freeland – Kevin Dillard (2008-present)
With the last pick in the draft I’m finding my own Ben Gordon: instant offense.  After only one season as a Saluki I’m taking Kevin Dillard.  Dillard is a sniper.  He connected on more than 45% of his three point shots in 2008 and if he keeps it up, he has a chance to be the greatest three-point shooter this school has ever seen.  And he also reads the Daily Egyptian.  Good man.

Who got it right and who blew it? Let us know what you would have done and comment below.