Des Moines, Iowa – A closely contested matchup is anticipated tonight as the Southern Illinois Salukis face the Drake Bulldogs at Knapp Center. The game, scheduled for , at , pits two teams with similar records against each other in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play.
Both Southern Illinois and Drake enter the game with 12-16 records overall. Southern Illinois holds a 6-10 record within the MVC, while Drake is 6-11 in conference games. The Salukis are currently favored by 1.5 points, according to pre-game analysis.
The Salukis are coming off a 70-60 loss to the Bradley Braves, a game in which Quel’Ron House led the team with 26 points. Drake, meanwhile, has struggled at home, posting a 6-9 record at Knapp Center this season. The Bulldogs are averaging 76.8 points per game and have a slight scoring margin of 1.3 points per game.
The matchup presents a contrast in offensive styles. Drake’s offense relies heavily on three-point shooting, averaging 9.6 made three-pointers per game – a significant difference compared to the 4.8 three-pointers Southern Illinois typically makes. However, Drake allows opponents to shoot 44.7% from the field, a figure 2.3 percentage points higher than the 42.4% shooting percentage Southern Illinois has conceded to its opponents.
Jalen Quinn leads the Bulldogs in scoring, averaging 19.8 points per game, alongside 4.1 rebounds. Eli Shetlar has been a consistent threat from beyond the arc for Drake, averaging 2.5 made three-pointers over the last ten games. For Southern Illinois, Drew Steffe contributes 9.6 points per game, making 1.4 three-pointers while shooting 27.7% from three-point range. Quel’Ron House has been a key performer recently, averaging 13.4 points and 1.5 steals over the past ten games.
Statistical analysis suggests a tight contest. Southern Illinois has a history of close games, with a 2/3 record in games decided by three points or fewer. Predictive models, based on 10,000 simulations, give Southern Illinois a 57% chance of winning, with a predicted final score of 75-73. The model also indicates a 51% probability of Southern Illinois covering the 1.5-point spread, and a 52% chance of the total score staying under 149.5 points.
Recent form indicates both teams have faced challenges. Drake has gone 3-7 in their last ten games, averaging 77.3 points while allowing 82.7. Southern Illinois has a slightly better record of 4-6 over the same period, averaging 69.6 points and allowing 67.2. The Salukis have demonstrated a stronger defensive presence, averaging 8.2 steals and 3.6 blocks per game compared to Drake’s 4.8 steals and 2.6 blocks.
This game marks the first meeting between Southern Illinois and Drake in conference play this season. The outcome could have implications for both teams’ positioning in the MVC standings as the regular season progresses. While both teams have struggled with consistency, the predictive models and recent performances suggest Southern Illinois enters the game with a slight advantage.
The game at Knapp Center is expected to be a hard-fought battle, with both teams looking to secure a crucial victory in the competitive MVC landscape. The contrasting offensive approaches – Drake’s reliance on three-point shooting and Southern Illinois’ more balanced attack – will be a key factor in determining the outcome. The ability to control the pace of the game and capitalize on scoring opportunities will be critical for both sides.
Analysts suggest that Southern Illinois’s ability to limit Drake’s three-point shooting and exploit potential defensive weaknesses could be decisive. Conversely, Drake will need to effectively defend against Southern Illinois’s inside game and maintain its offensive rhythm to secure a win on its home court.
