CARBONDALE - Marcus Belcher is back in the family, this time as 'Coach.'

The 29-year-old former point guard at Southern Illinois University will start today as men's basketball coach Chris Lowery's newest assistant. Belcher, who moved over from Evansville, where he was also an assistant, replaced 21-year assistant Rodney Watson. Watson left to become the head coach at Division II Southern Indiana in Evansville in May.

"It's exciting to be back," Belcher said late Wednesday night. "There's no other school that I would have went to, other than Southern Illinois. That's how much I respect coach (Marty) Simmons and what he's done. It was tough because I can honestly say that no one has done more for me than coach Simmons. I was with him for four years. I've got so much respect for him, and what he's all about. At the same time, you kind of become a part of his family, too, and watch his kids grow up. It was kind of bittersweet."

Belcher played two seasons for SIU after transferring from Moberly (Mo.) Area Community College. The point guard averaged 5.3 points per game as a Saluki, helping SIU reach the Sweet 16 in the 2002 NCAA tournament.

Carbondale becomes Belcher's third stop as an assistant coach after serving under Simmons for two years at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, a year at Eastern Illinois and two seasons with the Purple Aces. Evansville finished 17-14 overall and 8-10 in the Missouri Valley Conference last season, tying Wichita State and SIU for fifth place. The Purple Aces and Salukis split their two games, with each winning on their home courts.

Belcher said he did a little bit of everything at UE, and expects similar responsibilities at his alma mater.

"My role here will be pretty similar. A lot of recruiting, and getting out on the road and seeing guys, and helping with player development, and working some guys out, and the game prep," he said. "I've been pretty fortunate. I'm fairly young, I guess, and most guys get their first couple years in, and get stuck doing administrational duties, and the day I started caoching, I've been recruiting. Even as a GA at the Division II level, you don't have three assistants and managers, so it's basically the head coach and two guys going to work. You kind of get thrown to the wolves, but your learning curve is shorter, then, too. You gotta sink or swim. Sometimes that's the best way to learn."

Belcher will join former Saluki Brad Korn and Lance Irvin as an assistant under Lowery, a former player at SIU himself.

SIU finished 13-18 last season, but could return four starters.

The Salukis have one scholarship left for this season, and at least one more non-conference game to schedule. Belcher may have to step into Watson's role quickly, as Lowery is set to leave later this month to serve as an assistant on the Team USA Under-19 national team that will play overseas. SIU will also host several summer camps beginning this month. Official practice will begin in October.

todd.hefferman@thesouthern.com / 618-351-5087