Evansville's results this year:
The big story will be DeAndre Williams, there's a non-zero chance he can return Thursday for the Purple Aces. He made the trip to Des Moines on Sunday and participated in the pregame walkthrough.
With Williams out, their two best players have been Sam Cunliffe and KJ Riley. Riley scored 24 in the OT loss to SIU a few weeks ago.
Links:
Purple Ace Place Message Board
https://twitter.com/SIU_Basketball/status/1229820908807827457
Few thoughts on this one...
1) When healthy Williams is a top 3 player in this league IMO. absolute game changer. However, they have actually played pretty well with him out. He makes them a better team in the long run but there will be some adjustment his first game back. I think if he plays a handful of minutes it may actually benefit SIU... I know that sounds odd, but I cannot imagine he will be sharp he was literally just cleared for contact last week after 1.5 months off.
2) Huge game. This has the potential to seal up us playing on Friday in STL or could mean we are in for a nervy ride the last 3 games with 2 extremely difficult ones on the road. I know we have thought Thursday looked nearly impossible about a week ago but if they don't get this one its going to be tight.
3) I fully expect a wire to wire win. I think we jump on them early and keep them at an arms distance most of the night. I do not think it will be simple but I do think we win. Huge bounce back game for McGill coming, he has really struggled but the days off are going to give him his bounce back. 20+ for him and Something like 65-58 at the end.
https://twitter.com/Bryan_Mullins_/status/1230177585851748352
Mullins is a class act! SIU is extremely fortunate to have him.
Salukis are 9 point favorites
That scares me.
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James Madison
Lickliter on Williams’ status:
If he is healthy and has his legs this game becomes way more difficult... Also, I wouldn't want to be the 7 seed who gets to play Evansville with DeAndre back... I think they will beat whoever ends up in the 7 spot.
Win at all costs. The next 3 games will be even harder so this game is critical. Even with DeAndre back (if he plays), I'm confident in this team's ability to beat just about anyone at home.
Excited to see how the Dawgs finish the regular season! Let's get a statement win tonight!
Three of SIU's last four halves have been really poor. UE will certainly have a little extra juice if Williams is back. Expecting a challenging game, but hopefully having a little time at home to regroup/recharge will pay dividends and Southern can snap the two-game skid ahead of a rough road trip to Frostbite Falls.
Win at all costs. The next 3 games will be even harder so this game is critical. Even with DeAndre back (if he plays), I'm confident in this team's ability to beat just about anyone at home.
Excited to see how the Dawgs finish the regular season! Let's get a statement win tonight!
Would beating a team that is 0-14 in conference play at home qualify as a statement win? This isn't the Hinson era anymore. 😛
I agree that we need to play two solid halves of this game and get our mojo back for the end of the season and Arch Madness!
Article in the Daily Herald (Chicago suburbs) on Mullins:
I was ok with losing at valpo, Bradley loss hurt, siu had 3 bad halves, got their mojo back 2nd half of BU game, really need to win this game, I'll be listening, Go Dawgs!
