Brad Korn's Redhawks are coming off a win against UMKC on Saturday 71-66:
SEMO is #333 in KenPom (SIU is #186) and were picked last in the Ohio Valley conference. KenPom has SIU winning this one 73-66.
Links:
Mike Reis Interview with Marcus Domask
Mike Reis Interview with SEMO head coach Brad Korn
Betting Line:
SIU favored by 8
Mike Reis Interview with Marcus Domask
Mike Reis Interview with SEMO head coach Brad Korn
SIU is currently favored by 8 according to BetMGM.
Looking forward to the debut tonight, assuming no last-ditch COVID crapola.
Here are a few aspects of the opener I'm interested in:
1. Rebounding. A big weakness last year, and Muila's injury isn't helpful in this regard. Who's going to board? Will Sekou bring something to the table?
2. How Domask will be used. He's versatile, but may have to play the 4 or even the 5 a fair amount given the makeup of the team (again, Muila's absence factors in). I think he's perfectly capable of thriving both on the wing and in the paint, but what I don't want to see is him getting worn down by having to defend opponents' big bruisers too much.
3. How many 3s will SIU uncork. Could be one of the Salukis' best shooting teams in years (Domask, Harvey, Verplancken, D'Avanzo, etc.), but finding the right balance is always key so you can win on off shooting nights.
4. Bench rotation. We don't know the starting 5 yet, but regardless, bench scoring was a weakness last year that needs to improve. It'll be especially interesting to see which of the freshmen they'll trust off the bat, and whether the grad transfer Long can be an asset.
5. Perimeter D. Hopefully Jones, Brown and the freshman guards Banks and Butler can apply big-time ball pressure and be the strength of a defense that appears to lack size/athleticism on the interior. Brendan said in his recent interview that the offense appears ahead of the defense at this point, a rarity for Saluki basketball but I can see why that might be the case with this roster.
Year 2 of the Mullins Era (and Game 1 of the Brendan Mullins era 😀 ) is soon to begin! Looking forward to it!
SEMOs only game so far was against UMKC who is 0-2. But SEMO beat UMKC by more on the road than Kansas State did at home.
This likely won't be an easy game.
SEMOs only game so far was against UMKC who is 0-2. But SEMO beat UMKC by more on the road than Kansas State did at home.
This likely won't be an easy game.
The line has moved to SIU -5 since last night, it opened at SIU -8.
SIU may be the better team, but we've seen in the past, and ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR, that teams playing their first game have struggled at times. Then you factor in the new starting lineup, lack of practice, scrimmages, exhibition games, etc. It could be a rough go early on. That being said, I don't expect it to be. I say SIU will lean on Domask early and then you'll see Jones, Harvey, and others join in the fun. There are SO MANY story lines to watch, simply too many to mention, but one that I'll be looking at is Brown and if he is able to move past last year's woeful shooting. If he can shoot 35+% on three's, it would be a HUGE boost to the team. I hate to say this, but something tells me it won't happen and we may be seeing Brown's last season at SIU (not a prediction).
Starters:
Lance Jones
Trent Brown
Ben Harvey
Marcus Domask
Anthony D'Avanzo
Starters:
Lance Jones
Trent Brown
Ben Harvey
Marcus Domask
Anthony D'Avanzo
Over the summer, there were a bunch of different predictions on starting 5. I can officially say... we were ALL wrong. Haha!
Poor interior defense on several possessions, a TO and a badly missed shot to start the season. It can only, and WILL, get better from here.
Banks in early for Jones. Another surprise.
Ben Harvey hits a 3 for the first Saluki points of the year
Ben Harvey with all 6 points at the first media timeout. I like him already. Also good defense so far from SIU. Jones and Brown both with steals early.
It's still early, but so far my prediction has been true. Ben Harvey will lead this team in scoring.
Really nice drive (move) to the basket by Banks but missed the bunny. Kyler in and fouls. The inside for this Saluki team is painful so far. Here comes Stephen V.
