Southern Illinois makes its point by denying foes theirs

0 Comments | USA TODAY, March, 2007 | by Mike Lopresti

Now that a couple of more Southern Illinois opponents have watched their offenses bent, folded, spindled and mutilated, we can come to at least one conclusion about the upcoming West Regional.

They don't make underdogs the way they used to.

There the Salukis will be Thursday in San Jose, Calif., standing on the tracks, waiting for the Kansas locomotive to blow through. The Jayhawks, averaging nearly 80 points a game, go at the basket the way the media go at the pregame buffet.

These tournament matches used to be easier to classify. Big-name power and might against smaller fry who would have to get by on guile and charm.

Forget it. Anyone who thinks that has never had to slice through the Salukis trying to get open for a pass. They act...