SIU coming in as 2 point favorites in Vegas. KenPom has #194 SIU beating #163 Valpo 67-65.
Valpo's results this year via KenPom:
When it comes to Valpo, it's all about Sophomore Javon Freeman-Liberty. Freeman-Liberty is 38th in the country in possession % and 16th in the country in shot %. He's also 54th in the nation in steal %. Junior Mileek McMillan is right behind him (105th in the nation in possession % and 192th in the nation in shot %).
They also have two good 3 point shooters in limited roles in Donovan Clay (153rd in the nation in 3 point %) and Eron Gordon (45th in the nation in 3 point %)
Links:
Guessing this will be a close game ... good opportunity to get to 2-1 in the Valley. Hopefully Valpo playing the second end of back-to-back road games helps a bit in terms of Southern having fresher legs.
It'll be interesting to see how Southern defends Freeman-Liberty.
The games against Valpo at SIU have both been close. Think Armon Fletcher hit a game winning 3 in 2018 and Deion Lavender had a game winning layup last year for Valpo.
We really need to win this one as a home favorite.
Any word on Cook?
Valpo is much better than people anticipated in the preseason. Many of their recent games have been close so I'm hoping they are somewhat tired. I'm sure they see this as a winnable game and will be fighting tooth and nail on the road. I see this as being a close game but would be PLEASANTLY surprised if SIU pulled out a victory. If they do win, it will be a result of the game planning against Freeman-Liberty.
We really need to win this one as a home favorite.
Any word on Cook?
Mullins said yesterday that Cook had some swelling in his hand.
If Cook does red shirt we would be out of scholarships wouldn't we?
If Cook does red shirt we would be out of scholarships wouldn't we?
No. Four seniors on this year's roster, two recruits signed in the fall. Plus, there are other scholarships that could well open up.
So we would have 1 open if Cook red shirts then? If that's the case we have to be pretty sure about the big man we sign.
So we would have 1 open if Cook red shirts then? If that's the case we have to be pretty sure about the big man we sign.
Technically, yes. But in this era, I would say it's quite likely others, especially those who are not playing much if at all, could depart and free up additional rides.
So we would have 1 open if Cook red shirts then? If that's the case we have to be pretty sure about the big man we sign.
Keep in mind that the injury must truly be a season-ending one. We can't just decide to apply for the medical redshirt because we want to sit him for the remainder of the year. He has been medically cleared to play, so I don't know if that complicates things. The rules say that you cannot have played in more than 30% of the games prior to the injury, so he meets that requirement (played six games).
Cook and Fazekas are scratches tonight.
It would be great to get a home win tonight. Valpo is pretty good though.
