Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Drake
Southern Returns Home to Host Drake Wednesday Night
01/13/2026 | 1:02:00 | Men's Basketball
The Salukis (8-9, 2-4 MVC) take on the Bulldogs (8-9, 2-4 MVC) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14, in the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
Game Details
Matchup: SIU vs. DrakeÂ
Time: 7Â p.m.
Location: Banterra Center, Carbondale, Ill.
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LOOKING AT DRAKE
The Bulldogs are on a two-game skid and have begun 2-4 in MVC play. They come into the day 8-9 overall after losing 78-76 at home to Belmont. The Bulldogs led by 19 at the half, but were outscored 53-32 in the second half by the Bruins.
Jalen Quinn leads the Bulldogs, scoring 16.4 points per game, fourth in the MVC.
They average 76.47 points per game as a team, 196th nationally and sixth in The Valley.
Defensively, the Bulldogs allow 71.47 points per game, tied for 125th in the NCAA and sixth in The Valley.
The Bulldogs generally take care of the ball, posting a 1.42 assist-to-turnover ratio, second in the MVC.
The Bulldogs rank No. 186 in the latest NET ratings and No. 173 in KenPom.
THE DAWGS
Eight Salukis average more than 16 minutes per game. Quel'Ron House leads the team with 13.8 points per game. Seven others average seven or more points, including Drew Steffe (9.1), Rolyns Aligbe (8.9), Prince Aligbe (8.5), Damien Mayo Jr. (8.5), Davion Sykes (7.9), Jalen Haynes (7.6) and Isaiah Stafford (7.3).
Sophomore Max Pikaar logged a season-high 25 minutes in an 83-54 win over UT Martin on Dec. 10, and leads the Salukis with 15 blocks on the season.
SIU shot 41% (21-for-51) from three during its recent three-game win streak. (Little Rock, High Point, UT Martin)
Southern is shooting 47.9 percent from the field, which is 66th in the nation. They do most of their work inside the arc, making only 4.8 3-pointers per game, which is bottom five in the country.
Freshman Jaylen Haynes has been a bright spot off the bench this season, scoring in double figures in six contests. He had a season-high 13 in the 68-67 win at Belmont on Jan. 4.
SIU has been good on the boards, holding a +2.9 rebounds per game margin on the season. They are in the top 91 overall, averaging 38.4 rebounds per game. The Dawgs split up the work pretty evenly, with Rolyns Aligbe leading the way with 6.4 boards per game. Aligbe notched a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds in the loss at Richmond on Dec. 13, and tallied a career-high 12 rebounds in SIU's win over Valparaiso on Jan. 1.
SIU landed at No. 125 in the most recent NET ratings, sixth in the MVC.
LAST TIME OUT
Southern Illinois lost to UIC 70-57 on Jan. 7. The Salukis tied the program record with 11 blocks in the loss. Damien Mayo Jr. led the way with 13 second-half points and 17 total.
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.
