vs. UT Martin Skyhawks (8-19, 4-12 OVC)
Thu., Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
SIUE's dramatic comeback fell a shot short Saturday as Murray State fought off the Cougars 59-58. The Cougars overcame a 36-19 halftime deficit and led 57-52 with 1:30 remaining, but Tevin Brown's long three-pointer with 10 seconds to play gave Murray State the lead. SIUE had two opportunities to win it, but couldn't get a clear shot, and the Racers escaped.
LAST TIME AGAINST UT MARTIN
Shamar Wright scored 18 points for SIUE, but UT Martin shaded the Cougars 79-76 Jan. 25 in Edwardsville. The Skyhawks made four free throws in the final 59 seconds to secure the win. The Cougars, meanwhile, came up empty – two missed shots and a turnover – in their final three possessions.
BARONE DEBUTS
Head Coach Brian Barone takes over at the top after two seasons as the Cougars' top assistant. He has previous Division I stops at Green Bay, Indiana, Marquette and Illinois State.
BARONE'S PEDIGREE
Brian's father is the late Tony Barone, Sr., who played at Duke before beginning his coaching career. After stops at Duke and Bradley as an assistant, Tony was the head coach at Creighton (1985-91) and Texas A&M (1991-1998). He also coached the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies during the 2006-07 season.
BARONE SIGNED THROUGH 2024
On November 13, SIUE Director of Athletics Tim Hall announced an extension of Head Coach Brian Barone's contract through the 2023-2024 season.
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
Unofficially, Barone is one of nine current Division I head coaches whose father also was a Division I head coach. The List:
Tony Bennett, Virginia (Dick Bennett)
Jeff Capel III, Pittsburgh (Jeff Capel II)
Kermit Davis, Jr., Mississippi (Kermit Davis, Sr.)
Scott Drew, Baylor (Homer Drew)
Mark Prosser, Western Carolina (Skip Prosser)
Richard Pitino, Minnesota (Rick Pitino)
Jay Spoonhour, Eastern Illinois (Charlie Spoonhour)
Kevin Willard, Seton Hall (Ralph Willard)
FAMILY MATTERS
SIUE freshmen Lamar and
Shamar Wright are the sons of former NBA player, the late Lorenzen Wright. Their older brother, Lorenzen, Jr. played at UT Martin during the 2017-18 season.
OH BROTHER
Lamar and Shamar are one of 16 sets of brothers nationally who are playing on the same Division I team this season. The twins join brothers playing at Boston College, The Citadel, Coppin State, Eastern Washington, Iowa, Maryland, Mount St. Mary's, Navy, Northwestern State, Oklahoma State, Ohio, Ohio State, Pepperdine, Robert Morris and Vermont.
CONFERENCE CALL
