![]() That could be said for most programs in the transfer portal era, though. The roster will undergo an offseason overhaul as a talented senior class departs. It didn’t ultimately go as well as they hoped. Still, USI’s coaching staff believed since the summer they had the pieces to win a championship in this first season at the D-I level. Only once since the OVC moved to a stepladder format in 2011 has a team that played in the first round won the title. The Screaming Eagles will build on first OVC campaignĪlthough every team in the OVC tournament entered with a chance at bringing home a championship, the odds were stacked against the four who played Wednesday. “That was a conversation we had at the beginning of the year, so if you see him in the portal, nothing happened. “He has a year to play, but he wants to get back closer to (Brooklyn) New York to play closer to mom and dad and we’re going to honor that,” Gouard said. ![]() He will graduate in May with a master’s degree after spending three years at USI. Henry scored 11 points and provided an energy boost during 20 minutes of action. So, they all talked on the phone Wednesday for 45 minutes and the Henrys gave Gouard their blessing. That incident sparked his paternal instincts. Henry since was cleared by two doctors, but Gouard said he did not want to play him without assurance from Henry’s parents. He was ruled out for the final two regular-season games. First responders attended to him for about 20 minutes before he was put on a stretcher and taken to the hospital. Tyler Henry collapsed during a timeout two weekends ago at Southeast Missouri State. Swope and Polakovich were each named to the All-OVC First Team as the only Eagles to earn all-conference honors. It’s another reason we have to get back in the gym and get better.” They double-teamed me, but at the end of the day, shots have to fall. “I thought I did a good job of getting into position to get the ball for the most part. “I wasn’t making shots,” Polakovich said. Gouard commended him for continuing to attack the glass despite the offensive woes. Polakovich was limited to just two but grabbed 20 rebounds for the sixth time this season. Isaiah Swope led the Eagles with 15 points. SIUE also attempted 35 free throws, making 22, compared to USI's 8-of-12 showing at the line. USI carried a one-point lead into the break before it was outscored by 15 the rest of the way. “We didn’t shoot the ball very well and that’s been our forte all year. “I thought we lost the game tonight on the offensive end,” Gouard said. ![]() I won’t force them or take it away from them, either.” “I’m a player’s coach and I let these guys make those decisions. We’re going to let the team decide if they want to do it or not. It’s going to take a different mindset if we take this trip. “But I know our administration is behind us playing so I need our guys all in. “It costs a lot of money,” USI coach Stan Gouard said postgame as the clock neared midnight. It has an entry fee of $25,000 and is the only postseason tournament they’re eligible to play in as they complete a four-year transition to D-I. The Eagles have been offered a bid to play in the College Basketball Invitational, commonly known as the CBI. ![]() Ohio Valley Conference: Six things to know about the tournament at Ford Center USI’s season might not be over just yet There was plenty to take away as USI exited the tournament with a 16-16 overall record. Although the Eagles led at halftime, their advantage never surpassed two points and they spiraled late. 6-seeded Southern Illinois-Edwardsville after a 68-54 loss. USI, however, was bounced out of the first round by No. ![]()
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