SIU's fate in the hand of radio listeners

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It is not the same. I know this.

This is not the 1930s and the radio is not the centerpiece of the American home. I can understand not wanting to listen and imagine you are watching the Salukis battle the not-so intimidating Drake Bulldogs.

But you might want to tune in anyway.

Yes, the big game is Saturday. Southwest Missouri State is a stunning 9-1 in the Missouri Valley Conference and a win in Springfield, Mo., would, or at least should, be impressive to the large school lovers on the NCAA Selection Committee.

The Salukis are beginning to receive votes in the AP poll and a win gives them chance, though it is as low as Carney's scoring average, to break into the top 25.

It's SIU's last great challenge away from home and it's also on TV (WSIU-8), which in the mind of many fans makes it a big game by media association.

But do not forget Drake. I'm begging you.

Upsets happen. Armenius did it to the Romans, the Israelis did it to Jericho and Drake can do it to SIU.

Think back to last season - before the Sweet 16 and before the majority of the campus cared about basketball.

Around this time, SIU lost to a less-than stellar Northern Iowa team. It was a loss that nearly killed its chances of an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.

The Salukis, predictably, swear they do not care about an at large bid because they are concentrating on winning the conference tournament - and that's...OK. They're good enough, they're smart enough and dog gone it, people like them.

They will place first or second if talent level is reflected in the final scores.

But upsets happen.

Conquering Arch Madness requires three wins, one of which will need to come against Creighton and Kaptain Kick-SIU -in-the-Groin, and the Dawgs will need to avoid two flukes before even thinking about a match-up with The Great Satan and his imps.

The lesson? Do not allow a mediocre team to Buckner your season. You may need the at-large recognition.

This is where you, the fan, come in. During my many lonely and pathetic years as a sports fan, I have come to the conclusion that upsets only happen if you are not paying attention and if you, the fan, become too cocky.

Call it Karma, call it angering the Mojo, but lack of respect for a team - by its fans, not the players - often leads to an upset.

I declared Notre Dame to be the greatest team in the nation in late October. They lost to Boston College while I flew over Florida planning a Notre Dame Fiesta Bowl party.

In 1998 I said the Indiana Pacers played as ugly as their coach looked. Though they did not gain eloquence, the Pacers took the Bulls to seven games and fell only after I was sweating bullets and my best friend invented a mid-game Dorito ritual to lead Chicago to victory.

SIU will not overlook this game, and it's crucial we do not.

"They know they're going [to SMS] because they got the itinerary and have packed for four days," SIU head coach Bruce Weber said about not looking forward to SMS. "But we have not mentioned a word about it. Hopefully we got enough veterans and they're smart enough to know that [Drake] the most important game right now."

Good call. Weber has his team ready.

But are the fans?

If SIU loses to Drake, waffling the importance of the SMS game, it will be our fault because we were not paying attention. If enough people are listening closely and listening with grave concern tonight, everything will be beautiful. Drake cannot defeat a talented SIU squad combined with Mojo-conscious fans.

But be sincere. If you have a pacemaker, give it a workout. If your hair is going gray, come back tomorrow with a Sisqo-do. Do not simply go through the motions because Mojo, the force behind everything that controls luck, is not easily fooled.

It's a lot like beating a lie detector. It is not a lie if you believe it is the truth.

If you, SIU's minions, convince yourself that Drake is dangerous and listen with dangerously high heart rates, SIU will be 10-1 in the Valley by the time "The Simpsons" come on the air tonight.

Worry not, and risk a defeat you could have prevented.

Reporter Michael Brenner can be reached at mbrenner@dailyegyptian.com