Preview | Salukis Host MVC Preseason Favorite Bradley Tuesday to Open Valley Play

CARBONDALE, Ill. – After a four-game road swing, the Southern Illinois basketball team returns to Banterra Center for a key early season matchup against Missouri Valley Conference Preseason favorite Bradley. Tipoff with the Braves is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday.

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PROMOTIONS

Fans can secure $10 tickets for Black Friday/Cyber Monday for game through Monday buy purchasing tickets HERE.
Chancellor Lane will select one lucky winner from the Dawg Pound to win free tuition for the semester. Tickets will be handed out prior to the game behind Section 105.
Southern Illinois University will recognize its service award employees during the game.

HOW TO FOLLOW

The ESPN Plus broadcast team is John Rooney and Rich Zvosec.
The radio broadcast can be heard locally on 101.5 CIL-FM, on the Saluki Radio Network, SIUSalukis.com/Listen, the Saluki Mobile App, and the Varsity Network App with Luke Martin and Rodney Watson calling the action.
Fans can follow Live Stats at SIUSalukis.com.

QUICK HITS

Kennard Davis Jr. and Ali Dibba picked up Third Team Preseason All-MVC honors.
SIU was picked to finish seventh in the Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll.
Kennard Davis Jr. has scored at least 15 points in the last three games for the Salukis. The sophomore has scored in double-figures in seven of eight games this season with a season-high 22 coming against Missouri S&T. He also has a team-high 20 steals in eight games after recording 22 all last season. Davis also pulled down 10 rebounds against La Tech to earn his first double-double after adding 16 points.
Ali Dibba has proved to be the most consistent Saluki on the offensive end this season, scoring 12 or more in every game. The senior guard put in a career high 26 points against Eastern Kentucky with 24 of the 26 points coming in the second half.
Sheridan Sharp planned to redshirt this season but was pushed into the rotation following an injury to Elijah Elliott. The sophomore had a breakout week in Florida, averaging eight points, four rebounds and 3.3 assists in three games. He put up a career-high 12 points to go with four assists in a win over Florida Tech.
After a slow start to the season, Jarrett Hensley has gotten it going. The forward has scored 14 or more in three of the last four games for the Salukis. He put in a season-high 15 points with eight rebounds in an overtime loss to La Tech to open the Gulf Coast Showcase. He also scored 14 against No. 21 Florida.
Davion Sykes scored a season-high 10 points in his last outing against Florida Tech. The forward was 4-for-7 from the field and had nine rebounds -- a new season high.
Freshman guard Drew Steffe has 14 assists and just two turnovers in eight games. He is third on the team in total assists playing 17.2 minutes per contest.
Big man Rolyns Aligbe pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds in a loss to Florida. The freshman is second on the team with 5.3 rebounds per game.

CURRENT STORYLINES

The Salukis lost their leading scorer in senior Elijah Elliott due to an ACL tear during the Florida game. The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 14 points, 3.4 rebounds, and one steal in five games for the Salukis, including four starts at point guard.
First-year head coach Scott Nagy leads the Salukis. Nagy brings 30 years of head coaching experience to Carbondale and has recorded 14 straight winning seasons while at the helm of both South Dakota State and Wright State. Nagy ranks No. 17 in wins (580) among active Division I head coaches.
SIU welcomes 11 newcomers to the roster this season with three returners from last year's squad. Kennard Davis Jr., Jarrett Hensley, and Sheridan Sharp were the lone returners for SIU.
Tyler Bey, Isaac Billington, and Jaheem Webber are set to redshirt this season. Sheridan Sharp was set to redshirt before a season-ending injury to Elijah Elliott.

LOOKING AT BRADLEY

Bradley comes into play at 7-1 on the season and winners of their last six games. Their lone loss coming on the road at Washington State. The Braves claimed the Myrtle Beach Invitational Championship after wins over Texas State, Wright State, and Middle Tennessee last week.
Bradley was picked as the preseason favorite in the MVC after returning much of its scoring power from last season, including the MVC Preseason Player of the Year in guard Duke Deen.
Dean leads a potent and balanced scoring attack for Bradley with 14.3 points per game. Five Braves score in double-digits.

SERIES HISTORY WITH THE BRAVES

Bradley has won four straight games against Southern Illinois and leads the all-time series with SIU 58-50. BU has won seven of the last 10 meetings. The Salukis hold a 28-20 advantage against the Braves on their home court and are 16-35 on the road, and 6-3 in neutral-site contests.

FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by visiting SIUSalukis.com as well as following the team on X at @SIU_Basketball, Instagram at @SIU_Basketball, and Facebook at Facebook.com/SIUBasketball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" mobile app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

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