The 2014–15 SIU Edwardsville Cougars men's basketball team represented Southern Illinois University Edwardsville during the 2014–15 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Cougars, led by eighth year head coach Lennox Forrester, played their home games at the Vadalabene Center as members of the West Division of the Ohio Valley Conference. They finished the season 12–16, 8–8 in OVC play to finish in fourth place in the West Division. They lost in the first round of the OVC tournament to Eastern Illinois.

Preseason Seven players, all of whom saw major playing time, returned from the 11–20 team of 2013–14. They were joined by two junior college transfers and three freshmen. Two of the freshmen were recognized with honorable mentions as All-State players in Illinois and Indiana, and one of the junior college transfers was among the NJCAA statistical leaders in both rebounds and blocked shots.

After being one of only six Division I teams with no freshmen in 2013–14, this year's Cougars had three freshmen, four juniors, and five seniors. The other five schools with no freshmen last season--- UAB, Ohio, Portland State, Savannah State, and Valparaiso.

In putting the schedule together, coach Forrester attempted to get as many games as possible near the hometowns of his players, resulting in road games in Oregon, Michigan, and Indiana.

In the preseason poll of OVC coaches and sports information directors, SIUE was picked to finish third in the West Division. No Cougars were picked for the preseason All-OVC team.

For the third season in a row, the Cougars begin with a preseason exhibition game versus the Division III Greenville College Panthers. In place of a second exhibition game, the Cougars and the UMKC Kangaroos played a closed scrimmage at the VC.

Season

Almost all home and Ohio Valley Conference games were streamed live on the OVC Digital Network. Other games were broadcast or cablecast and are included on the schedule, below, including nine games FOX Sports carried on its Midwest network.

The Cougars were dominant at the Vadalabene Center, building a home record of 11–3. Going on the road was another story, as they managed only one win in 13 away games. Overall, one result was a record of 8–8 in the OVC, earning the #7 seed in the conference tournament.

No Cougars were named to the OVC All-OVC or All-Newcomer teams.

Postseason Six days after the first round loss in the Ohio Valley Tournament, it was announced that head coach Lennox Forrester and his entire staff would not be retained.

Roster Source=

Pink background indicates players returning from 2013 to 2014. #NamePositionHeightWeightYearHometownHigh schoolTransfer from 0 Michael Chandler Guard 6–8 205 Junior Columbus, Georgia Grovetown High School Hill College (JC) 1 Kris Davis Guard 6–2 190 Senior Detroit, Michigan Cass Technical High School 2 Maurice Wiltz Guard 6–2 190 Senior Houston, Texas Stafford High School Colorado State 3 Keaton Jackson Forward 6–10 220 Senior Vancouver, Washington Prairie High School Missouri State-West Plains (JC) 4 C.J. Carr Guard 5–7 145 Freshman Rock Island, Illinois Rock Island High School 5 Grant Fiorentinos Forward/Center 6–10 225 Junior Cape Town, West Cape, South Africa Hun School of Princeton (NJ) Tulane 13 Jake Newton Guard 6–6 200 Junior Terre Haute, Indiana Terre Haute North Vigo High School Lincoln Trail College (JC) 23 Rozell Nunn Guard/Forward 6–4 205 Senior Kansas City, Kansas F. L. Schlagle High School Coffeyville Community College (JC) 24 Jalen Henry Forward 6–8 220 Freshman Springfield, Illinois Springfield Southeast High School 30 Michael Messer Guard 6–6 215 Senior Wildwood, Missouri Lafayette High School 32 Donivine Stewart Guard 6–0 195 Junior Peoria, Illinois Bartonville Limestone Community High School Bradley 45 Keenan Simmons Guard 6–6 185 Freshman Michigan City, Indiana Michigan City High School

Schedule Source:

!colspan=9 style="background:#CC0000; color:black;"| Exhibition

!colspan=9 style="background:#CC0000; color:black;"| Regular season

!colspan=9 style="background:#CC0000; color:black;"| Ohio Valley Conference tournament

References