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Hairston's suspension won't drag

Stetson Hairston's suspension is still defined as indefinite, but SIU head coach Chris Lowery has made it pretty clear the senior guard's suspension will not drag on forever.

Hairston's trial is set for Jan. 3, making it somewhat unrealistic to wait out the judicial process before reaching a decision.

"Obviously, we're not going to penalize the team," Lowery said after Sunday's blowout exhibition win.

Lowery gave no timeframe for a return, but conventional logic says Hairston will be back sometime during the Thanksgiving road trip.

Lowery talked about how hard the trip was going to be - SIU could potentially play two high-major teams in Las Vegas followed by a trip to Hawaii two days later - and if he doesn't want to penalize the team, activating Hairston at that time seems wise.

But the Saluki coach insists he still has not made up his mind.

"We're not going to make any hasty decisions. We're not going to make any drawn-out decisions," Lowery said. "We're just going to kind of play it by ear and make sure we make the right decision for our family."

If SIU were to make the Thanksgiving trip without Hairston, it would be woefully short on scholarship guards, especially after redshirting Wesley Clemmons, who has been impressive with his defense and shooting in practices.

Lowery said both Hairston and Mike Dale, who is suspended for three games for his role in the Jackson County judiciary, have been practicing well.

He said both were just as responsible for the exhibition wins as anyone else, praising their practice work ethic. But Lowery said he misses Hairston's heady play and court vision.

Lowery said it was also important to get Hairston back because of his integral role as Darren Brooks' sidekick.

"You got to have a sidekick, and that's Darren's sidekick," Lowery said. "And we understand that."

Lowery said the role of sidekicks, from Kent Williams and Jermaine Dearman to Brad Korn and Sylvester Willis, is often overlooked, and is an essential part of Hairston's value to the team.

"There's always got to be somebody else who has a great understanding and that same competitive willingness to win at all costs," he said.