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MVC Basketball: Preview of Southern Illinois/Indiana State and other league games

By Harry Schroeder

Bradley head coach Brian Wardle, right, has a few choice words for Christian Davis in the second half of the Braves' home opener against Utah State on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 at Carver Arena.
Bradley head coach Brian Wardle, right, has a few choice words for Christian Davis in the second half of the Braves' home opener against Utah State on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023 at Carver Arena. /
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Head coach Darian Davis of the Drake Bulldogs directs his team against the Northern Iowa Panthers (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Head coach Darian Davis of the Drake Bulldogs directs his team against the Northern Iowa Panthers (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Southern Illinois vs Indiana State

Tuesday night the league’s leading scorer, Xavier Johnson and the Southern Illinois Salukis (4-1) travel to play the conference’s leading scoring team Indiana State (5-1). SIU was picked ninth in the league’s preseason poll and has built their outstanding record against the weaker portion of their non-conference schedule. The Salukis face Saint Louis and Oklahoma State following their visit to Terre Haute.

Indiana State’s offense is the Valley’s best. The Sycamores lead the MVC in scoring (89.2 ppg), field goal percentage (.540), three-point percentage (.414) and assists (18.7 per game). Southern Indiana transfer Isaiah Swope is fourth in scoring (18.3 ppg) and is the Valley leader three-point baskets (3.7 per game).

Johnson leads the Salukis and the Valley in scoring (23 ppg) and is second in assists (5.4 per game), but SIU puts its trust in defense where they hold opponents to 63.2 points per game and hold the opposition to just a .253 success rate from deep.

Undefeated Bradley travels to Murray State and spotless Evansville visits the streaking Missouri State Bears. While Bradley and UE are 6-0, the Bears (5-1) have won five straight games. Murray State (2-3) has dropped three straight games and all by a total of 17 points.

Bradley’s Malevy Leons leads the Valley in minutes played and ranks among the league leaders in scoring, rebounding and steals. Murray State’s Nick Ellington is the Valley’s leading rebounder (8.8 per game).

Belmont (4-3) visits Northern Iowa (2-4). Both teams struggled out of the gate, but have won recent games. They have lost games they shouldn’t have, due in part to the fact that they are the Valley’s worst two free throw shooting teams.

Preseason favorite Drake (5-1) travels to preseason doormat Valparaiso (4-2) in a game between two teams that like to play fast. Reigning ‘Player of the Year’ Tucker DeVries (20.2 ppg) leads the Bulldogs against Valpo and first year head coach Roger Powell Jr.

Illinois Chicago (5-2) entertains Illinois State (3-3) Thursday. The Flames are sixth nationally at defending the three-point line. Their five-game winning streak ended with a one-point loss Sunday. The Redbirds are struggling offensively and have dropped two straight games.

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