Southern Illinois at Indiana State 1/25/21 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

The Southern Illinois Salukis travel on the road ot the Hulman Center to take on the Indiana State Sycamores. Southern Illinois has dropped three in a row after being swept on the road by Drake, that series was nearly a month ago with Southern Illinois having COVID issues since. Indiana State is coming off a sweep on the road over Illinois State to improve to 6-7 on the year.

Indiana State has struggled all season long on the offensive end averaging 68.2 points per game ranking 257th in the country in scoring offense. As a team, the Sycamores have shot just 42.3% from the field, the 260th ranked team-shooting percentage and comes in as a middle of the pack tempo team at 156th in KenPom adjusted tempo.

Senior guard Tyreke Key leads the way, he’s made back to back All-MVC teams and although the shooting numbers have dipped with the increased role, he leads the team with 14.8 points per game on 45.6% shooting. Key is second on the team in rebounding with 5.1 and dishing out 2.2 assists per game.  Sophomore center Tre Williams has been a solid piece, he’s pulling down 6.4 rebounds and adds 8.5 points per game. 

Southern Illinois despite a 7-3 start to the year is a balanced team on both ends, they come in averaging 72.7 points per game ranking 160th in the country in scoring offense. The Salukis are shooting an impressive 47.3% from the field and are hitting 40% of their threes, the 10th best three-point shooting percentage in the nation.

Sophomore forward Marcus Domask leads the way for Southern Illinois, his 16.3 points lead the team and he’s second on the team in rebounding with 4.5 and assists with 3.2 per game. Fellow sophomore, Lance Jones has facilitated the offense dishing out 3.5 assists per game and adding 11.9 points per game. 

Indiana State has really struggled on the defensive end allowing 70.5 points per game ranking 183rd in the country in scoring defense. The Sycamores have allowed opponents to shoot 46.6% from the field and 35% from three, both ranking outside the top-250 in the nation. Southern Illinois is allowing 69.3 points per game ranking 153rd in the country but is 229th in KenPom adjusted defense.