Game #3 SIU at Drake

Lets get right to the point, SIU is the favorite to win this game. Now before we just give SIU this victory lets establish that Drake is a competent foe and can not be overlooked. Drake is a Top 100 RPI team (98) who blew out Iowa at home 75-58. The Bulldogs also beat an average Iowa State team on the road.

Can Drake hang around with the red hot Salukis? Probably not. Drake is 0-2 in conference play losing to Evansville and Indiana State. Klayton Korver and Ajay Calvin will have to have big games for the Bulldogs to have a chance. Korver could be the most dynamic player on this team, but he is only shades of his big brother.

Keys for Southern

-Shoot the three. Drake’s MVC opponents are averaging 14 three pointers a game.

-Double team Korver when he catches the ball. Lets make someone else beat us.

-Play with the lead. Get ahead early and don’t let Drake back in the game.

SIU comes into this game as #11 in the RPI and has won 14 straight games against Drake. If SIU wins this game they will improve to 3-0 in the conference and move into a first place tie with Northern Iowa.

Official Salukihoops prediction- SIU over Drake 64-51. If your in the Carbondale area you can watch the game on MediaCom or listen on Magic 95.1. If you have access to a computer you can visit saluki hoops for a LIVE game blog. Ask questions or post comments during the game or visit us after the game to get the story here before you can find it anywhere else on the net! We’ll see you here for the tip at 7:05 Thursday night.