Southern Illinois Basketball: 2021-22 season preview for the Salukis

No. 3 – Duo of D’Avanzo and Filewich

Grad student Anthony D’Avanzo and sophomore Kyler Filewich provide coach Bryan Mullins with two capable post players, with very different styles. The Salukis’ ‘twin condos’ can wear out the opposing centers and can utilize ten fouls at that position.

Filewich is slightly taller (6’9) and is a better rebounder (5.7 per game). SIU’s first-ever Canadian performer is an adept passer (1.7 per game) and has drawn comparisons to former Loyola Rambler, Cameron Krutwig. They are built the same, love to pass, and as freshmen struggled from the free-throw line.

D’Avanzo is leaner, will pick and pop and hit the three. He made 17 triples last season and accumulated 20 steals with his quickness in the post. The former Division II performer accounted for 7.5 of the 14.3 points per game Mullins received from ‘twin condos’ last season.

Filewich and D’Avanzo are ego-less about sharing time with one another. Their individual humility is what makes the combination work.

6’10 freshman Scottie Ebube arrives to back up the condos on this year’s team. Ebube was a two-time all-state performer and Illinois’ Mundeleine High School.