MVC Basketball: Conference tournament preview and predictions

By Doug Winkey | Mar 1, 2016

Mar 8, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Northern Iowa Panthers head coach Ben Jacobson reacts in the game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the Northern Iowa Panthers during second half in the championship game of the Missouri Valley Conference basketball tournament at Scotttrade Center. Northern Iowa Panthers won 60-69. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

7 of 11

Jan 9, 2016; Carbondale, IL, USA; Southern Illinois Salukis guard Anthony Beane (25) dribbles the ball around Wichita State Shockers forward Zach Brown (1) in the first half at SIU Arena. Mandatory Credit: Byron Hetzler-USA TODAY Sports /

5: Southern Illinois Salukis

The Southern Illinois Salukis finished fifth in the conference at 11-7 after beating Missouri State in the team’s finale.

Their first game is against Northern Iowa in what might be the most entertaining game of the first round. SIU is 146th in KenPom, 123rd AdjO, 190th AdjD, and 129th in RPI. The team only has two guys in double figures, but feature a pure scorer in Anthony Beane. The guard averages 19.4 ppg on 43% shooting, including 38% from range.

Beyond Beane-ball, the other seven rotation players shoot an average 45% from the floor and have ok rebounding statistics.

The Salukis will be the final team to lose their opening game, but in a high-scoring affair. They split the regular season, so there isn’t the pressure of a third win or loss, but I’m not sure SIU can shoot well enough from distance to overpower the Panthers. This game will largely depend on who gets hot and in that regard, I don’t trust the Salukis.

Next: 4: Indiana State Sycamores