Southern Indiana’s Early Lessons

Stan Gouard Talks About the Loss at Saint Louis

(St. Louis, MO) – Southern Indiana’s early lessons may be painful. After a season-opening loss at Saint Louis (75-63) head coach Stan Gouard said his team has to get tougher and get to know one another better.

Newcomer Jordan Tillmon led the Screaming Eagles with 15 points and eight rebounds. The Florida A&M transfer played 29 minutes coming off the bench and asserted himself on the offensive end. Nine USI players scored including nine points from Jack Campion and eight from Kiyron Powell.

Saint Louis was shorter but more athletic and played pressure defense. The Billikens crashed the glass and outmanned the Screaming Eagles grabbing 13 offensive rebounds. Gouard says his team has to get tougher and his post players have to play with more confidence.

It doesn’t get any easier for Gouard and the Screaming Eagles. They head to East Lansing, Michigan to take on Michigan State. With the Spartans being upset Monday by James Madison, Tom Izzo’s team will be hungry for redemption.

Gouard has great respect for coach Izzo and the Spartans, but insists his players need to believe they can compete with these higher-level teams. He’s proud his team showed determination despite falling behind to the Billikens.

 

Early Lessons for A.J. Smith

Forward A.J. Smith made the second start of his career. Smith is from nearby Metro East Lutheran High School in Edwardsville, Illinois. The 6’6 sophomore finished with seven points, four rebounds, two assists and two blocks. He had one, spectacular ‘coast-to-coast’ drive and dunk.

Gouard says Smith has had to ‘wait his turn’ and that he expects great things from his versatile wing.

 

The Screaming Eagles are learning early lessons and Gouard is hopeful that his young team will grow into a cohesive unit by the time conference play begins.

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