Southern Illinois Salukis Expected to Dominate Valparaiso Beacons in Missouri Valley Conference Matchup

Game outlook

The Southern Illinois Salukis will be facing off against the Valparaiso Beacons in a Missouri Valley Conference matchup at the Athletics-Recreation center on Wednesday night. The Salukis have been in impressive form, with a five-game winning streak, including a recent road victory against the Illinois State Redbirds. In contrast, the Beacons have been struggling, enduring a nine-game losing streak and most recently falling to the UIC Flames on the road. Southern Illinois is currently favored to win, with an opening line of -10.5 and a current line of -9.5.

Betting Odds

Moneyline: Salukis -540 | Crusaders +390

Spread: Salukis -9.5 (-110) | Crusaders +9.5 (-110)

Total: Over/Under 134.5 (-110)

Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Southern Illinois will win straight-up is 84%.

Southern Illinois Salukis

The Southern Illinois Salukis are currently performing at a high level, evident in their recent 71-64 road win over the Illinois State Redbirds. In this game, the Salukis showcased impressive shooting, hitting over 50% of their field goals and three-pointers. Senior guard Xavier Johnson stood out with his exceptional performance, contributing 26 points, five rebounds, nine assists, one steal, and four turnovers in nearly 40 minutes of play. Defensively, the Salukis limited their opponent to a shooting percentage of 44.1% from the field, 16.7% from beyond the arc, and only allowed 15 free throw attempts. This strong defensive effort has been consistent throughout the season, as they are currently ranked 25th in the country, allowing an average of 63.5 points per game. Offensively, the Salukis rank 180th in college basketball, scoring an average of 75.0 points per game. Despite this, their shooting percentages and three-point conversion rate rank in the top 100 nationally. They also display an ability to generate assists while minimizing turnovers. The team has been successful this season, holding a record of 11-4 with an 11-2-1 against-the-spread (ATS) record. Although they will be without center Cade Hornecker due to an ankle injury, their power ranking stands at 65, with an offensive ranking of 179 and a defensive ranking of 24. Overall, the Salukis have displayed a strong offensive and defensive performance, with proficient shooting and effective defense being key factors in their success.