WICHITA – The SIUE (pronounced by announcers as “S-I-Yewee”) Cougars are in Wichita to face the 30-4 Houston Cougars in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. SIUE (22-11, 13-7) won the Ohio Valley Conference tournament when they upset SEMO to earn their first-ever bid to March Madness.

The SIUE Cougars are led by cousins Ray’Sean (#3) and Brian (#11) Taylor. Ray’Sean is the head of the snake in this one for me. He averaged 19 points per game and has over 200 more shot attempts than any of his teammates. To say SIUE goes as he goes would be an understatement. SIUE doesn’t have a true point guard, so the Taylors share the responsibility (they account for 49% of the team’s assists). The BLITZ will give them significant issues.

SIUE also doesn’t have a back-to-the-basket post player. They have a couple of athletic forwards in Ring Malith and Kyle Thomas. Malith has a similar game to Bangot Dak from Colorado. He is a threat from outside or getting to the basket. Thomas is a pick-and-roll post player who plays hard on both ends. Both are solid shot blockers.

The Cougars from SIUE won’t be able to compete with the athleticism and defense that Houston plays with. BLITZ and MONSTER traps will give them cold sweats for weeks. The Coogs should dominate on the glass on both ends of the court, and if they can keep the Taylors in check, I expect a blowout for the COOGS.

SIU Edwardsville Offense Notes

• The Taylor cousins are both combo guards who share the role of bringing the ball up the court. BLITZ will give them fits on the ball screens.
• They also don’t have a back-to-the-basket scoring post player. Most of their post players score off of offensive rebounding put-backs.
• The Taylor cousins are both three-level scorers. They have made nearly 40% of the team’s field goals.
• They are a good offensive-rebounding team against lesser competition and were pretty good early in the year at Indiana and Illinois. They may not have as much success against Houston.

SIUE Defense Notes

• They switch on ball screens, so I’d look to get J’Wan and Milos in the P&R game early.
• SIUE primarily plays half-court, man-to-man defense.
• They may try to run some full-court, man-to-man defense.
• The other Cougars struggle at times in transition defense. I’d look to RUN in transition and try to get some easy baskets.

SIU Edwardsville Personnel Report

*#3 – Ray’Sean Taylor – 6’1″ – GR – Guard – 19ppg, 5rpg, 4apg.

• Smaller three-level-scoring combo guard. Has 200 more shot attempts than the next player on their team;
• SIUE’s all-time leading scorer;
• Can shoot the three – 91/263 (35%). He’s good coming off ball screens if you “go under.” Houston’s length when they BLITZ should give him issues;
• Great free throw shooter and gets there often; 159/188 (85%);
• Watch out for the leg kick-out, aka the “Texas Tech Special,” when he shoots the three. It should be an offensive foul, but refs typically fall for it, and he gets three free throws.

*#11 – Brian Taylor II – 6’4″ – JR – Guard – (Milwaukee) – 12ppg, 4rpg.

• Tall/athletic combo guard;
• Cousin of Ray’Sean;
• Does not have enough shots to be included in national stats, but he’s an elite outside shooter (40/85 – 47%). Must get a hand in his face;
• Solid at getting in the paint to score and loves the spin move!;
• A little loose with the ball…PRESSURE HIM!

*#0 – Ring Malith – 6’9″ – JR – Guard/Forward – (Barton CC) – 12ppg, 7rpg.

• Long/athletic forward;
• Shows flashes of being really good – potential portal guy;
• Not bad getting to the rim;
• Pretty good outside shooter for his size – 41/131 (31%);
• Solid shot-blocker.

*#24 – Kyle Thomas – 6’10” – JR – Forward – (Bradley) – 6ppg, 3rpg, 1bpg.

• Tall post-player;
• Pretty solid shot-blocker;
• Sets hard and often illegal screens;
• Best on offense when rolling to the rim after setting a screen.

*#2 – Desmond Polk – 6’4″ – GR – Guard – 6ppg, 3rpg.

• Defensive specialist;
• Active hands-on defense;
• Poor shooter – 36% FG, 28% 3pt, 44% FT;

#21 – Myles Thompson – 6’7″ – JR – Forward – (Barton CC) – 6ppg, 4rpg.

• LEFTY;
• Big body forward;
• Works hard on both ends of the court;
• Pretty good around the rim, especially when driving left;
• Capable outside shooter, but doesn’t shoot them often – 4/9 (44%).

#5 – Declan Dillon – 6’1″ – GR – Guard – (Winona State) – 2ppg, 2rpg.

• He’s small, slow, and not athletic…but damn, he plays hard;
• Small/shifty back-up point guard;
• Pesky defender;
• Gets most of his shots off floaters in the paint.

#34 – Arnas Sakenis – 6’11” – JR – Center – 5ppg, 4rpg, 2bpg.

• Huge back-up post player;
• Solid offensive rebounder and shot-blocker;
• He may have nightmares about MONSTERS (traps) after this game.

#1 – Jordan Pickett – 6’3″ – SO – Guard – 4ppg, 1rpg.

• Athletic back-up guard;
• Solid outside shooter – 20/51 (39%).

Keys to Victory

1. DOMINATE the glass. This should be a massive game for Ja’Vier and JoJo. Both should dominate on both ends of the glass, and I expect both to get plenty of playing time with J’Wan hobbled. I think J’Wan will start, mostly to get the rust off, but shouldn’t be needed much.
2. Pressure, Pressure, Pressure. BLITZ and MONSTER will give them fits. I would look for the Coogs to force 20+ turnovers in this one.
3. Limit the Taylor cousins. Ray’Sean is a “bucket” at 19ppg. Brian is their second option. The Coogs have been solid at making top players from lesser competition disappear. The NCAA Tournament is known for making stars. Let’s not let him be one of those guys.
4. Feed the post. SIUE doesn’t have the post players to slow down the UH big men. I would give J’Wan the first touch of the game and go from there. I also think we will see a ton of Milos and J’Wan/Jojo in the pick-and-roll.
5. GATA. Thursday afternoon in Wichita, KS. It seems like a GREAT day for the COOGS to get after their ass from the time the ball is tipped to the final buzzer. I’d love to see every active player on the roster get playing time to keep the main rotation guys fresh for Saturday.