Valparaiso returns to the Athletics Recreation Center on Wednesday night riding momentum and opportunity as it hosts Southern Illinois in the second meeting between the teams this season.
The Beacons (9–10, 3–5 MVC) 7th in the Valley standings, are seeking their fourth straight home victory after handing Northern Iowa its fourth consecutive loss in their most recent outing. Meanwhile, the Salukis (8–11, 2–6 MVC) 9th in the Valley standings, arrive in Valparaiso looking to regroup after a 73–68 loss at home to a strong Belmont squad while being losers of three straight overall.
Southern Illinois claimed the first matchup earlier this season, controlling much of the game and holding off a late Valpo charge to earn a 75–70 victory in Carbondale on New Year’s Day. In that contest, Beacon forward Owen Dease led all scorers with 26 points, while JT Pettigrew added 18 in the loss. SIU countered with a balanced effort, as Quel’Ron House and Prince Aligbe paced the Salukis with 12 points apiece.
Since that meeting, the trajectories of the two programs have shifted slightly. Valparaiso enters Wednesday’s rematch ranked 42 spots higher in the KenPom ratings, while the Salukis have slid 14 places since the last matchup as both teams jockey for position in the middle of the Missouri Valley Conference standings.
Southern Illinois remains a deep team when healthy, with 10 players averaging double‑figure minutes. However, the Salukis have been shorthanded of late, with leading scorer Quel’Ron House and Isaiah Stafford both missing the Belmont game. On the season, House leads SIU with 13.7 points per game and is the only Saluki averaging in double figures. Three additional players post at least nine points per contest, while four more average over seven, underscoring the team’s balanced—but not explosive—scoring profile. Rolyns Aligbe leads the team on the glass at 6.7 rebounds per game, while brother Prince Aligbe adds 5.3 rebounds and contributes as a versatile scoring option.
Both teams enter the matchup defined more by defensive grit than offensive efficiency. If Valpo’s three‑point shooting has drawn attention this season, Southern Illinois has struggled even more dramatically from beyond the arc. The Salukis are shooting just 28.2 percent from three-point range, placing them near the bottom nationally. While Valpo shoots slightly better from deep, SIU has been more effective inside the arc, scoring the majority of its points in the paint. Free‑throw shooting has also plagued the Salukis. SIU ranks near the bottom of the country at 67.5 percent from the line and generates just 18 percent of its total points from the charity stripe.
Defensively, both teams hold respectable metrics. Valpo holds a slight edge overall, but Southern Illinois remains a formidable unit, particularly with its physicality and quickness. The Salukis play at a slightly higher tempo and lead the nation in point distribution from two‑point range while ranking last nationally in points generated from beyond the arc—a reflection of both philosophy and personnel performance.
Because of that, interior defense will be a major focus for the Beacons. Establishing rim protection early, contesting shots in the lane, and finishing possessions with defensive rebounds will be critical to limiting SIU’s effectiveness. Preventing second‑chance opportunities may be just as important as stopping initial drives.
Offensively, Valpo will likely lean on the blueprint that has fueled its recent success. Establishing paint touches, working the high‑low action, and creating inside‑out opportunities for shooters or dribble drives have been effective over the past several games. If the Beacons can control tempo, get SIU into foul trouble, and convert at the free‑throw line, the path to a home victory becomes clear.
KenPom projects a tightly contested game, favoring Valparaiso 71–70 and giving the Beacons a slight 53 percent chance to secure the win. In the Missouri Valley Conference, however, such margins leave little room for error.
Every possession figures to matter Wednesday night, with momentum, postseason positioning, and confidence all at stake. For Valparaiso, the contest represents a potential turning point in the season—an opportunity to climb into the top half of the Valley standings as the schedule softens on the back end.
A packed ARC could make the difference as the Beacons look to defend home court and continue building toward the stretch run of conference play.
The Isaiah Stafford return game. Stafford has missed the last two games due to injury. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him listed as at least “questionable” on the report tomorrow. It would be a pretty big blow to SIU if he is not available again. Personally, I would prefer beating SIU with Stafford at full strength. It would make a win that much sweeter.
The Isaiah Stafford return game. Stafford has missed the last two games due to injury. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him listed as at least “questionable” on the report tomorrow. It would be a pretty big blow to SIU if he is not available again. Personally, I would prefer beating SIU with Stafford at full strength. It would make a win that much sweeter.
yeah, the guy looking to transfer somewhere “warm”!
Stanford is averaging 7PPG in 19 minutes. He is shooting 20% from deep. He isn’t the same player as before. He is playing on what I believe is a lesser team, although that is biased and isn’t performing any better than our own guys. I’d rather have Justus in those minutes!
Stafford is a volume shooter who's most effective in the games he's shooting well and kills a team when he's not. I though he was very effective at showing that during his stay at Valpo.
Valpo covers -1.5. 78-65. We come out strong! Team is starting to figure things out. Stafford not the same since the injury. or maybe this is a new injury
Poor showing attendance wise. Don’t know how many wins it will take the locals to show up. One of their better 15 minutes of basketball all season in the first half. Very ugly and stagnant offense in the second half ss we scored 8 points in the first 9 minutes I think. Should have attacked more in transition on their press, as we looked very tentative. Virtually nothing from Dease and we still win. Stat wise the difference was in three point shooting as virtually every other stat was equal. A tale of two halves but I it counts as a win. This team has not reached its peak yet. Yet to put two complete halves together
Agree crowd too small these guys are pretty good. I was there and even students in their section are subdued. Need the swim team to lead the charge. Literally almost went over to student section to assist. I did like the kid in crusader gear dancing... keep stacking wins!
Agree crowd too small these guys are pretty good. I was there and even students in their section are subdued. Need the swim team to lead the charge. Literally almost went over to student section to assist. I did like the kid in crusader gear dancing... keep stacking wins!
Don't be shy. They are quite welcoming. I went over to the student section at the end of the Illinois state game. Great group of athletes
Rez daughter is a ra at beacon she knew half those guys but I said I didnt want to jinx our lead and go over there... If it got to one possesion i was going there lol. i gave em my powell head and they used it as a fan... cmon kids
I’ll give my two cents to close out this win. This is four (4) home wins in a row, something this team hasn’t done since the 2020 season from what I can see.
The Beacon bench came alive in this one. After getting outscored 30–2 in the previous matchup in Carbondale, they flipped the script and outscored SIU 35–7. Justus was outstanding in 19 minutes, scoring 17 points with zero turnovers. I would have liked to see Justus on the floor more down the stretch—he earned those minutes. He was the MVP of this game, and while I admire Sader’s performance, Justus was my GRIT winner.
Depth was the difference in this game, especially with Owen and JT struggling, as they combined for just 11 points. While Brody hit only one shot from the field, his senior leadership was key down the stretch in slowing SIU’s second-half push. He went 9-for-9 from the line and controlled the final three minutes to execute the end-of-game strategy.
Barnes played 16 minutes and was a contributor to the win, which was good to see given his recent struggles—something that was addressed in the postgame. Overall, the Beacons played better in the first half and were able to build a comfortable lead going into the locker room. While SIU had more success in the second half, going on a run and threatening Valpo, the Beacons still controlled the game. Valpo showed it could withstand the second-half attack and close things out.
This was a solid MVC win that has this team sitting in a three-way tie for sixth, just one spot out of a first-round bye in Arch Madness. With the way this team is playing, there is no reason we can’t finish with a winning record and a top-half Valley finish. I’d love to see more people show up at the ARC to support these guys and their potential.
We have a weekend bye from Valley play and will host Belmont in our next game. The Beacs will look to make it five straight at home, with extra time to prepare for the Bruins. I think the Beacs can avenge the loss.
Lastly, Mike Greenstein has to be the worst official to walk into the ARC this year. In addition to this game, he also officiated the ISUr game in the ARC. The other two officials were respectable, but Mike sticks out like a sore thumb—he can’t consistently call the pace or physicality of the game, and he brings an odd attitude to both sides. Mike is a big time official, doing some high profile games across the CBB landscape but has been terrible in the ARC this year.
to close out this win. This is four (4) home wins in a row, something this team hasn’t done since the 2020 season from what I can see.