The Southern Illinois coach, who also played in Carbondale, said that he has signed a seven-year deal worth approximately $700,000 per year to
remain the Salukis head coach.
Lowery, 34, received interest from the likes of Michigan and Iowa, but
neither was willing to make a move. Instead of playing the waiting game, Lowery
opted to stay with the Salukis, who will return three starters of this year's
team that lost to Kansas in the Sweet 16.
Lowery led Southern Illinois to a school-record 29 wins and has a 78-26
record in three seasons as the head coach. He will lose senior guards Jamaal Tatum and Tony Young.
Lowry was the point guard at Southern Illinois from 1990-94 and was also an
assistant coach at the school under current Illinois head coach Bruce Weber.