Arch Madness Team Profile: Southern Illinois University Salukis

Southern Illinois Salukis

Overall Record: 22-9

Conference Record: 11-7

Conference Standing: 5th/10th

Head Coach: Barry Hinson 

Team MVP: Anthony Beane (19.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, .774 FT %)

NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1977, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

Conference Tournament Champions: 1977, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2006

Regular Season Conference Champions: 1977, 1990, 1992, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007

Anthony Beane. Photo via AmericanSportsNet.com

Just like Northern Iowa, Southern Illinois has been kind of one of those “what-if” teams. The Salukis are the fifth seed in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. The Salukis didn’t have a tough out of conference schedule, but went 11-2 in out of conference play. SIU didn’t do too bad in conference play either, going 11-7. But the odds are not in their favor to make a run in the MVC tournament. Here’s why. SIU is the fifth seed in the tourney, and against the top four seeds in the tournament, the Salukis went a whopping 2-6. Both of those two wins were at home as well, which doesn’t help that the tournament is played at a neutral site. Technically though the drive from Carbondale to Scottrade Center is the shortest drive for any team in the conference. SIU will have to be on its top game all weekend long to make any type of run to the MVC Championship game. The Salukis take on 4 seed Northern Iowa Friday at 2:30pm.