Men's Basketball hosts Murray State on Monday
12/21/2014 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University men's basketball team hosts Murray State at 7:05 p.m. on Monday at SIU Arena. The ongoing holiday special pricing for lower bowl tickets remains in effect. Seats in both end zones are available for $10.
| Murray State (8-4) at Southern Illinois (7-5) | |
| Date | Monday, Dec. 22, 2014 |
| Time | 7:05 p.m. CT |
| Location | Carbondale, Ill., SIU Arena (8,339) |
| Game Notes | Southern Illinois  |
| Radio | Saluki Sports Network |
| TV | None |
| Live Video | Saluki All-Access |
| Live Audio | Stretch Internet |
| Live Stats | Stat Broadcast |
| Social Media | @SIU_Basketball |
Anthony Beane approaching 1,000 points
G Anthony Beane (6-2, 190, Jr.) needs just five points to become the 44th player in school history to reach the 1,000-point plateau. Beane ranks third in the MVC in scoring (18.8). Five times this season he has topped the 20-point mark, including a career-high 32 points at Tennessee State on Nov. 18. Beane also leads the team in 3-pointers (17), free throws made (47) and steals (19).
Non-conference wins
A win over Murray State would give SIU eight non-conference wins, matching the most by a Saluki team during the past six years.
2009-10: 8-2
2010-11: 7-5
2011-12: 3-9
2012-13: 8-4
2013-14: 4-9
2014-15: 7-5
Series versus Murray State
The Salukis lead the all-time series with Murray State, 16-15. Dating back to 1986, SIU has won 11 of the last 15 meetings -- including four-straight at SIU Arena. The last time the Racers won in Carbondale was on Dec. 14, 1990.
Last meeting vs. Murray State
The Racers beat SIU, 73-65, last season in a game best known for Coach Hinson's post-game press conference. "The Rant" went viral and was the topic of nationwide media coverage. In the game itself, Desmar Jackson scored 28 points to lead SIU, but the Salukis had just three assists and 13 turnovers.
Saluki Trends
•The Salukis haven't lost two consecutive non-conference home games since the start of the 2010 season when they lost to Ohio Dominican and Saint Louis.
•SIU's seven wins have come by an average of 13.7 points.
•Jalen Pendleton has seven steals in the last two games.
•Anthony Beane has scored double figures in 23 of his last 25 games.
•Beane has made at least one 3-pointer in 26 of his last 28 games.
•SIU has held five of its 12 opponents below 40 percent shooting.
Jalen Pendleton sports positive assist-to-turnover ratio
G Jalen Pendleton (6-2, 205, Jr.) is the only Saluki player with a positive assist-to-turnover ratio (19 assists, 14 TOs). In the last six games he has 14 assists and five turnovers, including a career-high five assists versus Tennessee State. Last season, Pendleton was a spark plug off the bench, averaging 9.1 points and earning a place on the MVC's All-Bench team. He typically played the hybrid "4" spot, but moved to guard this season and is SIU's fourth-leading scorer (7.8).
Caroline dominates the glass
F Jordan Caroline (6-7, 235, Fr.) ranks second in the MVC in overall rebounding (6.7) and offensive rebounding (2.6). The son of former Illini and NFL linebacker Simeon Rice has started all but one game for SIU and averages 8.8 points. He had a career-high 14-point outing against Chicago State on Dec. 14.
Free-throw shooting improves
After shooting 67 percent from the free throw line last year, the Salukis have improved to 71 percent this season. Beane leads the team at 84 percent, while G Jalen Pendleton (6-1, 205, Jr.) has improved from last year's 57 percent mark to shoot 67 percent this season.
Anthony "Beane Counter"
•FIVE 20+ point games this season
•SIXTEEN 20+ point games in his career
•TWENTY-FOUR straight made free throws from Nov. 23 through Dec. 14
•FORTY-FIVE consecutive starts and 65 in his career
Ibby Djimde returns
C Ibby Djimde (6-8, 255, Jr.) missed nine games after suffering a knee injury in the season opener at Saint Louis on Nov. 15. He returned on Dec. 16 versus Tennessee State.The Illinois transfer is eligible this season after sitting out last year. In two seasons with the Illini, Djimde played in 28 games and scored seven points. He has 10 points in three games at SIU.
Road Warriors
Southern Illinois and Missouri State are tied for the league lead with five road, non-conference games on their schedules. Including two MTE contests, SIU began the season with five-straight games away from home for the first time since Jack Hartman's 1963-64 squad played seven in a row away from home to start the season.
