Valpo, SIU Battle to End Skids in High-Stakes Valley Matchup
Both teams enter on four-game losing streaks, seeking their first conference win at the Banterra Center.
Two teams desperate to halt losing streaks will square off to start the New Year at the Banterra Center as Valparaiso (6-7, 0-2 MVC) takes on Southern Illinois (6-8, 0-3 MVC). Both programs enter the matchup on four-game skids, making this contest a pivotal opportunity to get back on track in Missouri Valley Conference play.
The Salukis, much like Valpo, have shown flashes of potential but struggled to find consistency. SIU ranks last in the Valley in three-point shooting at just 27.8%, narrowly behind Valpo’s 29.5%. However, the Salukis compensate with strong two-point efficiency, posting a 48.7% overall field goal percentage—third in the conference—while Valpo sits at the bottom at 40.9%.
Free throws have been another sore spot for SIU, and their defense has allowed over 74 points per game. Still, rebounding remains a strength, and Valpo will need to battle on the boards to stay competitive. SIU rarely relies on the three-ball, ranking last nationally in three-point shot distribution (16.4%) but first in two-point attempts (65.2%). Expect SIU to try and speed the game up a bit as the Salukis push tempo and attack the rim.
Depth is a hallmark of SIU’s roster, with 10 players averaging double-digit minutes. Sophomore guard Quel’Ron House leads the team in scoring (14.7 ppg) and assists (2.9 apg), while forward Rolyns Aligbe adds 9.6 points and a team-best 6.4 rebounds per game. Drew Steffe (9.6 ppg) provides perimeter scoring, and former Valpo guard Isaiah Stafford contributes 7.0 points off the bench.
For Valpo, this is more than just another road game—it’s a chance to prove they can climb out of the Valley basement. If the Beacons hope to improve on last season’s finish, these are the games they must win. SIU currently projects as a mid-pack team, but with both squads hungry for a victory, expect a scrappy, hard-fought battle. Kenpom has this as a 77-68 Loss for Valpo giving them a 21% chance to win. Let's go to SIU and grab some momentum to bring home for the UIC game.
Why is SIU 120 and Valpo 207?
Pettigrew and Tornatta listed as questionable on the initial availability report.
@sp37 ouch, sounds like we may be thin in the front court if neither can go. If so, could this be the game that the redshirt gets ripped off of Kobe Walker? I guess we will see how it looks come game time.
Why is SIU 120 and Valpo 207?
That is the Kenpom rankings, he uses a statistical algorithm from my understanding.
Both Pettigrew and Tornatta have been removed from the final availability report. Full rotation ready to go.
Haven’t shot the ball well at the 8 minute mark we are 14% from 3 and 15% overall.
This team is hard to watch
Why are we so bad again
You can see, the team has no confidence from beyond the arc. Chaney missed a wide open shot from the corner and then hesitated from the top of the key on a wide open look. Dease is the only one capable of taking it to the hoop and creating. Brown is a total liability on offense, he can’t shoot and can’t create off pic and roll or score going to the basket. Since the half court is not working at all, I would look to run more in the second half and stay in a zone versus southern. Justice needs to get this game going up and down and look to score in transition with Barnes. Your two most athletic players in the open court Shon is playing excellent defense. Powell is gonna have to find how to get the most out of these guys on offense. They look lost
I'm out on a limb on this one but I'll opine that Valpo has trouble shooting the ball. This would be from anywhere. They'd probably have trouble on one of those 4ft rims little kids use.
A little wild out of the box thought, I know, but it's what I'm reading out of the underlying stats.
Thought a few games ago we had decided to play Kyonte Thomas over Brown? No scoring from him but at least he’s gonna make reasonable decisions and miss fewer shots (by not taking them)
Impressive that we only lost by 5. That stretch where we went 1/18 plus a few turnovers, was THE worst stretch of basketball that I've ever watched, not only on the Valpo side, but also what SIU did during that stretch. I almost turned it off at that point, as it reminded me of my 12U rec team that I coach.
My irrational pissed off response to the game, we seem to play best when it’s frenetic, so why don’t we make it frenetic the whole game?, we have enough athletes to score in transition. We struggle to score in halfcourt sets. Like Pettigrew’s aggressiveness and Shons defense/rebounding. Whitaker can hit jump shots, but a lot of his are contested or low percentage. He’s not quick enough ti get by defenders going towards the basket. Justice is great slashing to the hoop and no Barnes in the second half. Powell is still searching for the right combos. You can tell by his comments/his frustration that he only has a short window for them to figure out as he’s not confident who will be back next year.
Congrats to Owen. Solid. But…..
Another exhibit of terrible shooting and, apparently, going to the same well over and over. (disclaimer: I did not see the game live, nor followed on LiveStats).
So…… This is a legit question based on my lack of BB knowledge that might relate to above
In 40 minutes of playing time, is 8 assists (1 per 5 minutes of play) spread over only 4 players, none of whom had more than 3, indicate a disciplined, team approach to an offensive attack or not?
