Mamadou Seck commits to Southern Illinois
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Southern Illinois University men's basketball team has returned to Southeastern Illinois College to pick up another commitment as Mamadou Seck has given a verbal commitment to the Salukis.
Seck will join teammate Troy Long in the trek down Route 13, turning in his blue and gold Falcons uniform for the maroon threads of the Salukis.
The 6-foot-7-inch Senegal native said he was aware of Southern's recent struggles, but seemed committed to helping SIU reverse its fortunes over the next two seasons saying, "I think they have a very good coach and I like that program even though they haven't been that good the last two years."
Seck said one of the factors in enrolling to SIU was the chance to play close to a home away from home, where fans of Southeastern Illinois College can flock to see the former Falcon continue his playing career.
"Even before I signed, parents told me that their kids still wanted to see me play after I left SIC."
SIC head coach Todd Franklin said he expects Seck to make a positive impact for the SIU men's basketball team, which finished a disappointing 15-15 with an opening round exit at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament against Drake.
"He's not your prototypical 10 rebound per game guy because he's not a power guy," Franklin said. "He's versatile. He can play in. He can play out. And he'll play with energy. I really think he'll help them in a big way."
Seck, who averaged 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game during the regular season, was an All-Great Rivers Athletic Conference and All-Region XXIV team member with the Falcons, who took home an eighth place finish nationally.
Seck said he and SIU head coach Chris Lowery said they had a good exchange of conversations and looked forward to becoming a Saluki.
"We talked a lot about the last few years and why things have happened they way they have, but he said if I go to SIU we'll be pretty good," Seck explained. "I think he's a good guy and I still wanted to come and win after what he told me."