CLASS OF: 2004
SCHOOL: Southwestern Illinois CC, IL
SCHOOL: Arsenal Tech HS, IN
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT: 6'6 180lbs
POSITION: Combo Guard
03-04 RATINGS: #30 (HM), #4 JUCO SG (RB), #6 JUCO WG (LI)
02-03 RATINGS: #85 (PS)
ACADEMICS: On track
STATUS: Signed with Purdue
Described as "a heck of defensive player" by Southwestern Illinois head coach Jay
Harrington, Bryant Dillon brings that, plus matchup difficulties to the Boiler opponents
in 2004-05. The 6'6 guard who can play point, shooting guard or small forward, is penciled
in at point guard upon his arrival. First as backup to Brandon McKnight in 2004-05, then
as probable starter the following year. Dillon possesses a 6'10 wingspan, and nice on-the-ball
pressure. He is creative enough to play the small forward, and can hit from either wing
position. Purdue has been blessed with high quality rebounders at the guard positions, and
Dillon will be no exception to that trend. Currently recovered from a torn ACL in early
2002-03, Bryant also has some coursework to catchup on before he joins the Boilers. He
will have two years of eligibility remaining.
In his second year at Southwestern Illinois, he averaged 11 points, eight rebounds and
six assists in two games before suffering a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament
in his left knee. Dillon was given a medical redshirt.
His first year at Southwestern Illinois helped him build a reputation as a top player,
and gained the high respect of his coach. Dillon averaged eight points, seven rebounds
and three assists per game, and showed a solid defensive mindset.
Dillon, originally from Indianapolis, averaged 14.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists
as a senior for Tech and was the Indianapolis City Player of the Year. As a junior
in high school, he averaged 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists. As a sophomore
he averaged 6.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists.
In high school, Dillon received interest from Bowling Green, Drake, Evansville, Central
Michigan, Eastern Illinois and the University Of Indianapolis. In junior college, he
visited Purdue, Mississippi, Baylor and Auburn, and was also seeing interest from
Colorado, Dayton and Rutgers. Ole Miss and Baylor offered scholarships before he chose
to accept Purdue's offer.
The timing of Dillon's verbal commitment is rather vague, since he had planned to join
the Boilers as a walkon for the 2003-04 season before suffering his knee injury. The
news of his choice of Purdue hit the summer of 2003 after he took a series of visits to
other Division I programs. He holds interest in accounting.
Purdue head coach gene Keady..."Bryant's probably the tallest point guard we've signed
here, so he will give us another dimension we've not had before. I like his versatility.
He can play a one, two or three and then, hopefully play more of the point guard spot
once Brandon McKnight graduates." (November 20, 2003 - Purdue SID)
Southwestern coach Jay Harrington..."Bryant is one of my best players ever. He plays
where we ask of him from point guard to center. He makes everyone on the floor better
and is so unselfish. He brings to our team, leadership and control." (October 19,
2003)
Southwestern coach Jay Harrington..."He does a lot of things. He distributes the ball
extremely well. He's very crafty in getting rebounds. His outside shooting needs to
improve, and that's what we'll work on this year. But his biggest asset is his defense.
He's had to defend some really top-notch players." (October 13, 2003)
Date Day Time Opponent
---- --- ---- --------------------
11/06/03 THU 7:00P @ McKendree JV
11/11/03 TUE 7:00P Mineral Area College
11/14/03 FRI 6:00P vs Danville
11/15/03 SAT TBA vs Allegany
11/19/03 WED 7:00P @ SLCC Florissant Valley
11/22/03 SAT 7:00P SLCC Forest Park
11/25/03 TUE 7:00P SMSU-West Plains
12/03/03 WED 7:00P @ SLCC Forest Park
12/07/03 SUN 4:00P @ Three Rivers
12/11/03 THU 7:00P Missouri Baptist
12/15/03 MON 7:00P Greenville College
01/07/04 WED TBA @ Mineral Area College
01/10/04 SAT 3:00P @ Rend Lake College
01/15/04 THU 7:30P Olney Central College
01/17/04 SAT 3:00P @ Lincoln Trail College
01/20/04 TUE 7:00P Lindenwood University
01/22/04 THU 7:30P Kaskaskia College
01/24/04 SAT 3:00P @ John A. Logan College
01/29/04 THU 7:30P Southeastern Illinois
01/31/04 SAT 7:30P @ Wabash Valley College
02/02/04 MON 7:00P McKendree College
02/05/04 THU 7:30P @ Olney Central College
02/07/04 SAT 3:00P Lincoln Trail College
02/09/04 MON 7:00P @ SMSU-West Plains
02/12/04 THU 7:30P @ Kaskaskia College
02/14/04 SAT 3:00P John A. Logan College
02/19/04 THU 7:30P @ Southeastern Illinois
02/21/04 SAT 3:00P Wabash Valley College
02/23/04 MON 7:00P Washington University
02/26/04 THU 7:30P Rend Lake College
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