Salukis' Hare kicked off team

Ryan Hare, who started 26 games for Southern Illinois as a freshman in 2008-09, has been dismissed from the team for violating team rules and policies, according to the university's website. Hare was arrested in Carbondale Sept. 19 after allegedly being involved in a fight.

By Jason Maholy

One month after being arrested and subsequently suspended from the Southern Illinois University men's basketball team, sophomore guard Ryan Hare has been dismissed from the squad for violating team rules and policies, coach Chris Lowery announced Sunday, according to the university's website.

Hare was suspended from the team indefinitely, an action that barred him from participating in team activitites, following an arrest Sept. 19 in Carbondale. He was reportedly charged with battery and criminal trespassing after an incident involving an acquaintance. No information was available Sunday night regarding whether Hare's dismissal was because of the alleged incident, related to it, or a separate matter altogether.

Hare started 26 of the Salukis' 31 games as a freshman in 2008-09 and averaged 7.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1 assist per game, while shooting 80 percent from the free throw line and 37.9 percent from three-point range. The 6-4, 195-pound guard who helped lead Chicago's Marshall High School to the 2008 Class 3A state title -- earning AP All-State first team honors along the way -- was among the bright spots last year during a disappointing season for SIU, which at 13-18 experienced its first losing season since 1998 and failed to make the postseason for the first time since 2001. He scored in double figures 10 times, including four of the final six games, and had 18 points and eight rebounds -- both career highs -- in a 74-62 win at Wichita State on Jan. 7. 

Hare was an integral part of a heralded recruiting class that included guard Kevin Dillard of Homewood-Flossmoor High School and forward Anthony Booker of McCluer North High near St. Louis, and seemed poised to start alongside Dillard to make for a potentially devastating Saluki backcourt the next three seasons. He was a well-rounded and hard-nosed player, the type that personifies the Salukis' style, and was a strong rebounder and aggressive defender. At the other end of the court he showed the ability and willingness to attack the basket and draw contact. He led Southern in free throw percentage last season and was third on the team in free throws made.

The Salukis are no stranger to players who have run-ins with the law or have their personal issues exposed while at SIU. Jamaal Tatum, who led the team to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2007 and is among the most beloved Salukis of all time, was arrested twice during his tenure, once for allegedly damaging property in March 2004 and the other time on a charge of DUI in March 2006. Former forward Jamaal Foster, who eventually left the program, was charged with DUI in March 2005. Former guards Stetson Hairston and Mike Dale were each charged with battery in July 2004. Torres Roundtree, a highly-touted recruit out of McCluer North, left the team early last season and transferred to the College of Southern Idaho (JUCO), where he was shortly thereafter dismissed from the program. The Salukis are reportedly taking on the services of Diamond Taylor, a freshman who was booted from the University of Wisconsin team after being charged with burglary and possessing stolen property. Taylor will not play for the Salukis this season.

With Hare no longer in the picture, junior Justin Bocot and junior JUCO transfer Jack Crowder appear to have the inside track on starting this season alongside guards Dillard and fifth-year senior Tony Freeman. Bocot, 6-4 and 170 pounds, averaged 5.7 points and 3 rebounds while playing in every game last season. He started the final nine games after then-senior guard Bryan Mullins was lost for the rest of the season because of a stress fracture in his foot. Crowder, 6-4 and 210, averaged 20.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last season at Cowley College in Wichita, Kan. Booker and junior forward Carlton Fay will likely round out the Salukis' starting lineup.

SIU started practice Saturday and will host Henderson State (Div. II) in an exhibition game Oct. 31. The Salukis will start the regular season Nov. 14 at home against Tennessee-Martin.

Jason Maholy is managing editor of The Reporter. Email him at thereporter@comcast.net.

This is part of the October 15, 2009 online edition of The Reporter.

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