KenPom has #146 SIU beating #293 Evansville 66-61
Evansville's results this year from KenPom:
Obviously a tale of two seasons for the Purple Aces. They were 9-4 and had a big win against Murray State before McCarty was fired and have lost 10 straight since.
Their best player, DeAndre Williams, has missed 8 straight games with a back injury. Williams is the team leader in points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game, steals per game, and blocks per game. He's 5th in the country in offensive rating, 64th in the country in defensive rebounding %, 72nd in the nation in assist rate, and 2nd in the country in 2 point field goal %.
6'5 Senior KJ Riley has been their best player in the absence of Williams. He's 18th in the nation in FT rate and 75th in the nation in fouls drawn per 40 minutes. Another player to watch out for is 6'8 Junior Sam Cunliffe who leads the team in shots and possessions.
I'll be in attendance for this one, hopefully we get a decent road crowd. This one makes me nervous for some reason because Evansville isn't as bad as their record and they're surely going to beat someone at some point. But hard not to have faith in Mullins in getting the guys not to overlook this Purple Aces team.
Links:
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Rankings Through Games Dec.15, 2019: Southern Ill: #274
(pg 10)
NCAA Men's Basketball NET Rankings Through Games Jan. 31, 2020:
Southern Ill. #157
https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/basketball-men/d1/ncaa-mens-basketball-net-rankings
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And I'd expect that our NET ranking will be better after a road win against a team that metric figures is superior to us?
And I'd expect that our NET ranking will be better after a road win against a team that metric figures is superior to us?
You are correct. As of last night's games, we've moved up 16 spots to 141, Drake has dropped the same, to 152.
If you're gonna reply to me in the forums, please quote what I wrote that you're replying to so I have a clue...thanks! 😀
It’s so nice to be excited about games again.
Really looking forward to this one. Let's keep this train rolling along !!!!!
For whatever reason, this game makes me really nervous.
We're bound to come down to earth at some point and Evansville, who did defeat Kentucky earlier this season, is bound to win one or two eventually?
I think it has been quite a while since we have played a game as a true favorite. It's obviously a different position from which to play. Now the target is on our back.
Getting some National love:
https://twitter.com/jonrothstein/status/1224305533500502018?s=21
https://twitter.com/siu_basketball/status/1224437603786616833?s=21
Congrats to Eric!
This game is a little worrisome to me.... At some point evansville is good enough they are going to beat someone. Just hope it is not tomorrow. If Williams does not play I can see us holding them to 60 or below. I think it will be a grinder. I will say we win in a closer than expected game. 64-59
I don't see this coaching staff, or the team itself for that matter, to allow themselves an off night where they don't bring it, especially when you consider and remember that they were picked LAST in the Valley preseason. They will not allow themselves to take the foot off the pedal. That being said, I'm not saying this will be an easy game by any stretch. Based on the circumstances, most importantly our recent play and Williams not playing, I believe SIU continues its recent roll and wins the game !
Just like all season, no expectations here other than Salukis will defend and play hard. I hope that will be enough.
Getting some National love:
https://twitter.com/jonrothstein/status/1224305533500502018?s=21
Jeff Goodman giving some love too:
