SIU looks to move to 3-0 against Chicago State on Thursday.
Meet the Cougars:
With Hartford's demotion to D3, Chicago State is the only D1 independent team. The Cougars thought they were getting 5 star twins Matt and Ryan Bewley but the NCAA ruled them ineligible for taking part in the Overtime Elite program. Both twins are currently suing the NCAA.
Chicago State is coached by Gerald Gillion, in his 3rd year with the program. In his first year there, Chicago State went 7-25 but saw a 4 win improvement last season.
The Cougars return a lot of their minutes last year. They're 39th in the country in minutes continuity from last year (59.8%). Chicago State's starters play heavy minutes as the team is 309th in the country in bench minutes (23.3%).
The Cougars are 1-3 on the year losing games at #202 Bowling Green, vs #244 Mercer, and vs #290 Cal State Northridge. They beat #344 Southern Indiana on the road by 11.
Chicago State has struggled on the offensive end this season. The Cougars are 314th in the country in 3 point percentage (24.4%) and 302nd in the country in 2 point percentage (42.1%). On the defensive end, they're 45th in the country in 3 point percentage against (25.0%).
The Cougars' leading scorer is 6-6 Junior Guard Wesley Cardet Jr. averaging 17.3 PPG. Cardet Jr. was a 4 star recruit out of West Oaks Academy in Orlando, Florida and chose Samford over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, and DePaul. Cardet Jr. averaged 8.1 PPG in his lone season at Samford before following Head Coach (and Uncle) Gerald Gillion to Chicago State. Cardet Jr. plays 91.9% of possible minutes so far this season (52nd in the country) and is 246th in the country in assist rate (26.4%). Cardet Jr. has struggled a bit with his shot so far this year (5-22 from 3, 22.7%) but has been able to get to the free throw line. He's 335th in the country in fouls drawn per 40 minutes (5.6) and 487th in the country in free throw rate (38.1%). Cardet Jr. scored 23 points in Chicago State's win over Southern Indiana.
The leading rebounder for Chicago State is 6-7 Junior Jahsean Corbett averaging 7.3 RPG. Corbett is the Cougars' 2nd leading scorer behind Cardet Jr. averaging 14.3 PPG and like Cardet Jr., Corbett makes a living at the free throw line. Corbett is 433rd in the country in fouls drawn per 40 minutes (5.2) and 321st in the country in free throw rate (48.9%).
On the defensive end, 6-3 Junior Brent Davis has been racking up steals this year averaging 2.7 SPG so far this season. Davis ranks 244th in the country in steal % (4.3%). Davis was a transfer from The Citadel who joined Chicago State's program last season.
Links:
Chicago State Game Notes
Wish the brothers would've been eligible because I think it'd make for an entertaining game. We should beat them pretty good
SIU comes in at 14.5 point favorites. Over/Under is 133.5
Line started at SIU -15 today, it's been bet down to -13. That's a pretty big move in a few hours.
Let the bigs eat!!! They are hungry!
Also curious if TB continues with the elite level shooting.
@resaluki-88 yeah my site has -12.5 now. Also afraid to give a better alternate spread than -14.5. I'd take -20 all day for some odds but they won't give it. My guess is close half but SIU pulls away. I have not seen Chicago St. so I would not put much stock in my prediction
I saw the line move to 12.5 myself and almost posted. Vegas isn't always right, but they make more $$ betting than I do so............... based on THAT ALONE, it makes me wonder if this game will be closer than most anticipate. Sure seems like easy money to bet ON the Salukis, but that is what scares me.
Slow start on offense but defense has been good so far. 7-2 Salukis early
That was a hell of a play to block Ebube there lol wow. Besides that our offense is getting good shots they'll go in eventually
2 fouls on Johnson within the first 6 minutes, gonna need others to step up
Aj has made multiple bad passes resulting in TO's so far. This game just feels different than the last 2. Not surprised..............Vegas typically knows. LOL (half kidding)
The difference between the Southland and the MVC is showing right now with Trey Miller
The difference between the Southland and the MVC is showing right now with Trey Miller
That call was BS IMO. He played great D. His lack of offense, however, has been concerning.
