Men's Basketball plays at Valparaiso on Saturday

CARBONDALE, Ill. — During his press conference on Thursday morning, Southern Illinois head coach Bryan Mullins said his team, "definitely should have enough (players) to play at Valparaiso this weekend." Saturday's game tips at 6 p.m. Central and will be televised on ESPN+.

Following COVID protocols, the Salukis (8-5, 1-0) have been idle since beating Grambling State on Dec. 28. Since Valpo joined the league in 2018, it is 5-3 against the Salukis, including a 3-0 mark at the ARC, its home facility. In Southern's last trip to the ARC, the Beacons prevailed, 55-38, on Feb. 12, 2020.

The Salukis...

And Loyola are the only two Valley teams that have not given up 70 points in a road game this season.
Allow 58.9 points per game, which leads the MVC and ranks 20th nationally.
Lead the MVC in 3-point field goal percentage defense (31.5)
Are 19-1 in their last 20 games when out-rebounding an opponent. They have won or tied the rebounding battle in 10 of 13 games this season.
Are 19-5 in the Bryan Mullins era with 15+ assists and 21-7 when they have more assists than their opponent.
Are 21-4 under Mullins when they win the points in the paint battle (5-1 this year).
Did not allow any fast-break points in two games this season (at Evansville, Southern Miss)
Have won seven-straight home games dating back to last season.

Marcus Domask

Leads the conference and ranks 22nd in the nation in minutes played (36.00).
Is second in the league in assists (4.4) and has 28 assists in the last five games.
Enters the game with 794 career points, 274 rebounds, 167 assists.
Made 33-straight free throws during a nine-game stretch (11/22-12/28) — the second-longest streak in school history.
Missed the final 16 games last season with a foot injury.

Lance Jones

Leads the league in steals (2.09)
Is shooting 69.4% on 2-point field goals this year (43-for-62).
Missed the Evansville and Maryville games with a foot injury.
Stands at 794 career points, 211 rebounds and 171 assists.

Trending

In the month of December, G Ben Coupet led SIU in scoring (15.9 ppg)
Coupet first 6 games: 7.5 ppg
Coupet last 7 games: 15.9 ppg
SIU has won 31-straight games when scoring 75+ points. SIU's last loss when scoring 75+ was 1/18/17 (L, 88-84 at Drake).
Since the start of the 2015-16 season, SIU is 53-3 (.946) when scoring 75 points or more.

Head Coach Bryan Mullins' Press Conference – 1/6/22

Opening Statement:
"We are going through the 'return to play' protocols with a couple of our guys who have been in quarantine situations. Over the next 24 to 48 hours, we'll have a better idea of who, but we should have enough to play this weekend against Valpo."

"Valpo, similar to us, have had a few different line-ups. Different guys in and out throughout their non-conference and they added Kobe King – a really talented player who has played in the last six games for them. They have one of the best 'bigs' in the league in terms of [Ben] Krikke. And they are an experienced team, they have brought in four older transfers this year, I think three of them from the Big Ten. Valpo has always been a physical, tough team to beat. Playing up there, it's a tough place to play, they do a great job at protecting their home court. It's going to be a challenge for us, getting a win on the road in the Valley – it's extremely difficult. We have to have a few good days of prep and take the challenge."

On first three road conference games:
"It's not easy starting conference with three on the road, but I think our guys enjoy playing on the road. We played four true road games in non-conference, I don't know if another Valley team played more than that. I think we have great experience with teams on the road. To play at Tulsa, at San Francisco – true road games, I think all that is going to help us this Valley season. In terms of the mentality, the discipline, the focus you have to have to win on the road, you have to be at a high level."

On schedule adjustments in January:
"It will be a busy January for us definitely, starting Saturday and moving forward. With the schedule, obviously things like this year and last year and things you cannot control, it's the schedule. I'm glad those teams are still coming to Carbondale, that we were able to reschedule those games. It will be shorter prep times, a little less rest for our guys, but these guys are 18- to 22-year-olds, all they want to do is play basketball. All they want to do is play home games, play road games. They have done workouts all spring, summer, and fall – they are ready to play a bunch of games and looking forward to the challenge."