Southern Illinoise University Athletics
10/21/2026 | 2:26:00 | Men's Basketball
The full "Players to Watch" list:
Jack Smiley, Belmont
Eoin Dillon, Belmont
Timoty van der Knaap, Bradley
Xander Alarie, Bradley
Trevon Payton, Bradley
Owen Larson, Drake
Jon Carroll, Drake
Eli Shetlar, Drake
AJ Casey, Evansville
Bryce Quinet, Evansville
Ahmad Henderson II, UIC
Andy Johnson, UIC
Mekhi Lowery, UIC
Rashund Washington Jr., UIC
Johnny Kinziger, Illinois State
Chase Walker, Illinois State
Malik Messina-Moore, Illinois State
Noah Cleveland, Illinois State
Jackson Cooper, Indiana State
Karmani Gregory, Indiana State
Greyson Uelman, UNI
Tate McCubbin, UNI
Isaiah Johnson-Arigu, UNI
Ian Smikle, UNI
Roman Doman, Murray State
Brigham Rogers, Murray State
Mark Padjen, Murray State
Mathis Courbon, Murray State
Jalen Haynes, Southern Illinois
Donovan Hill, Southern Illinois
JT Pettigrew, Valparaiso
Rakim Chaney, Valparaiso
Justus McNair, Valparaiso
Carter Hopoi, Valparaiso
Haynes enters the season as Southern's projected scoring leader after a strong freshman campaign. The sophomore from Lewisville, Texas, scored a game-high 25 points in Tuesday night's exhibition win over Lindenwood. He finished the 2025-26 season with 10 games in double figures, including a career-high 22 against Belmont on Jan. 17. He averaged 7.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 20.7 minutes per game.
Hill is a graduate transfer from Saint Leo University who joins the Salukis as a long scorer known for his rebounding. The Harrisburg, Pa., native averaged 16.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game for the Lions while shooting 35.6% from 3-point range and 75.7% from the free-throw line.
Haynes and Hill lead the Salukis into an exhibition against Tennessee Tech on Sunday, their final tuneup before the regular season begins Nov. 2.
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.
