Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's Basketball to Host Illinois State Sunday
01/21/2006 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 21, 2006
By Brian Feldt
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - After a tough road trip that featured two heart-breaking losses to Northern Iowa and Missouri State, the Southern Illinois men's basketball team returns home to host Illinois State Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.
After rising to 28th place in the nation in the AP Poll, the team is coming off its longest road trip of the season, which also included a win at Drake.
The Salukis, who now share the lead in the Missouri Valley Conference with Creighton, Northern Iowa and Wichita State all with a 6-2 record, are looking to bounce back against Illinois State, a team which has won two of its last 10 games and is still without a road victory.
The Redbirds, who are led by forward Greg Dilligard, are currently in eighth place with a 2-6 conference record. Dilligard is second in the league in blocked shots and is considered one of the best defensive players in the conference. He also leads his team in most offensive categories including points per game (10.7), rebounds (95) and field goal percentage (.572).
"He's good, real good," said SIU head coach Chris Lowery. "And he's only gotten better, which is what is so impressive. He's made himself into an all-league type player."
The Salukis, who need a win to stay atop the MVC standings, will look to extend their record of 31-straight home wins at SIU Arena, which is second in the nation trailing only Gonzaga. A win against Illinois State Sunday would tie Gonzaga, which does not have another home game until Jan. 28.
A key to the game for the Salukis will be to regain their tenacious defense. The Saluki defense, which ranks sixth in the country in points allowed, has yielded 71 in its last two games.
"It's misleading though, because in the end of regulation in the Northern Iowa game we both had 42," Lowery said. "If we finish them off in regulation, they score under 55."
"But to give up 42 points to Missouri State by half time, that's terrible, and that's not who we are."
Sunday's game is the 126th meeting between the two teams. The all time record is 67-58 in favor of Southern Illinois.
