By: Luis Medina
Are you trying to figure out how you’re going to live without the SIU men’s basketball team in your life?
Here is what is on tap for Salukis during the winter break.
The SIU men’s basketball team begins a three-game road trip Sunday as it travels to face Nevada (3-4) in a rematch of last year’s BracketBuster showdown. The Salukis (3-4) beat the Wolfpack at the SIU Arena last season, 74-49, but both teams are missing its top two scorers from last season’s match up.
Looking for a reasonably priced road trip? I’ve got a deal for you Saluki fans.
SIU returns to the Midwest to face in-state rival Northern Illinois (4-5) on Dec. 17. The Salukis defeated the Huskies last season, 88-68. Head coach Chris Lowery said it will be a homecoming game of sorts for several SIU players as guards Bryan Mullins, Kevin Dillard and Ryan Hare, along with forward Christian Cornelius return to play in the northern Illinois area.
Fans in the Chicagoland area should definitely make the trip to DeKalb and turn Northern’s home court into SIU Arena North.
The trip concludes Dec. 20 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis as senior guard Wesley Clemmons returns to his home town as SIU will face Saint Mary’s (6-1) in the Wooden Tradition. The Salukis are winless in their two neutral court games, falling to Duke and UCLA, and the competition does not get easier for SIU. The Gaels feature one of the nation’s best guards, Patrick Mills, who averages 20.1 points per game.
So if you want to see the Salukis play in an NBA arena and watch some exciting basketball (the tourney features nationally ranked Purdue and Davidson) then a trip to Indianapolis seems to be more affordable than one to New York City.
The Missouri Valley Conference portion of SIU’s schedule tips-off Dec. 28 as it travels to Peoria to face Bradley (4-3). The Salukis bounced the Braves in both of their match ups last season.
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SIU wraps up its out-of-conference schedule Dec. 22 as it hosts Western Michigan (2-7). The Broncos beat the Salukis last season, 57-41, as SIU put forth one of its most disappointing offensive efforts. The Salukis only shot 26.9 percent and had no players score in double figures.
SIU hosts Northern Iowa (5-3) in a New Year’s Eve showdown. The Salukis dropped two of three to the Panthers last season, including a 54-49 loss in St. Louis which knocked them out of the MVC Tournament. However, SIU has not lost against UNI at the SIU Arena since 1997.
Defending MVC champion Drake (6-2) comes to the SIU Arena Jan. 4 in both team’s first game of the New Year. The Bulldogs and Salukis split a pair of games last season as each team was victorious on its home court. SIU upset then-No. 14 Drake, 65-62, as the Bulldogs misfired on what would have been a game-tying 3-point shot as time expired.
SIU returns home Jan. 10 to face Evansville (5-1) in its final game before classes resume Jan. 12. The Salukis have won four of their last six games against the Purple Aces, including 10 straight at home.
One more game of note…
The Salukis travel to Wichita, Kansas to face Wichita State (3-4). SIU swept the Shockers last season with a 63-52 win at home and a 74-67 overtime victory on the road. It was the first time the Salukis were able to pick up a road win against Wichita State since 2003.
