Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
UNI
Saluki Basketball Welcomes UNI on Wednesday Night
01/27/2026 | 12:29:00 | Men's Basketball
The Salukis (8-12, 2-7 MVC) take on the Panthers (13-8, 5-5 MVC) at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28, in the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill.
Game Details
Matchup: SIU vs. UNI
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Banterra Center, Carbondale, Ill.
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LOOKING AT UNI
After starting MVC play 4-0, the Panthers lost their next five games, breaking the skid last time out with an 81-76 victory at home against Murray State.
Trey Campbell leads the Panthers, averaging 13.8 points per game. The senior had a season-high 27 points against Murray State on Jan. 24.
UNI averages 67.76 points per game as a team, 332nd nationally and 10th in The Valley.
Defensively, the Panthers allow 60.48 points per game, which leads The Valley and the country.
They play at the second-slowest pace in the country according to KenPom, and still rank 21st overall in adjusted defensive efficiency. Teams are only shooting 25.8% from long range against the Panthers, which is second-lowest in the NCAA and the lowest in The Valley.
UNI ranks No. 98 in the latest NET ratings and No. 108 in KenPom.
THE DAWGS
Eight Salukis average more than 18 minutes per game. Quel'Ron House leads the team with 13.7 points per game. Seven others average seven or more points, including Drew Steffe (9.9), Rolyns Aligbe (9.1), Damien Mayo Jr. (8.8), Jalen Haynes (8.7), Prince Aligbe (7.9), Isaiah Stafford (7.3) and Davion Sykes (7.0).
Sophomore Max Pikaar has recorded a block in seven of nine MVC games and leads the team with 17 on the season.
SIU shot 41% (21-for-51) from three during a three-game win streak late in non-conference play. (Little Rock, High Point, UT Martin)
Southern is shooting 46.3 percent from the field, which is 131st in the nation. They do most of their work inside the arc, making only 4.9 3-pointers per game, which is bottom five in the country.
Freshman Jalen Haynes has been a bright spot off the bench this season, scoring in double figures in eight contests. He had a season-high 22 in his first start of the season on Jan. 17 against Belmont.
SIU has been good on the boards, holding a +2.6 rebounds per game margin on the season. They are in the top 63 overall, averaging 38.6 rebounds per game. The Dawgs split up the work pretty evenly, with Rolyns Aligbe leading the way with 6.5 boards per game. Aligbe has two double-doubles on the season, with his second coming
last time out against Drake when he had 11 points and 11 rebounds. He tallied a career-high 12 rebounds in SIU's win over Valparaiso on Jan. 1.
Southern's game at Evansville was postponed due to the winter storm. There has not been a makeup date set.
SIU landed at No. 142 in the most recent NET ratings, seventh in the MVC.
LAST TIME OUT
Prior to Sunday's postponement at Evansville, Southern Illinois fell 69-63 at Valparaiso on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Haynes led the Salukis with 17 points.
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.
