Trap Game?

SIU is coming off arguably their biggest and most impressive win of the year. The offense was going full throttle and the bench play was huge. Freshman Josh Bone provided a much need spark with two silky smooth three pointers and eight points overall. Bone did not appear to miss one three in warm-ups, it was just release-rotation-splash. He was poised and did the job when called upon. Jamaal Foster came in and threw down a monster dunk. Foster does not need to play a huge roll but he does need to have a few more games like this. Overall, the Salukis played near perfect basketball and methodically dismantled a deep and talented Missouri State team.

The Drake Bulldogs will roll into town on Monday fresh off their first win of the year in the valley. Drake topped Illinois State 70-66 in an MVC bottom feeder game that both teams could not lose. Drake, Illinois State, and Evansville are the three teams that can ruin your season if they beat you. To win the conference you must accumulate six combined wins (road and home) against these three squads.

Last time we saw Drake it was on the road and they gave us a good challenge. Eventually the Salukis broke away to win but it wasn’t easy. That experience might keep this from being a trap game for SIU. Even though we are a better team and have home court advantage the Bulldogs are not just going to lay down. Southern will look to improve their performance in a few key areas.

-Beat the press. Drakes press was effective the first time around and we will need to beat it for a few easy transition baskets.

-Hit the three. It seams like everyone has been playing us in zone lately. If the Saluki guards can knock down threes it will be hard for Drake to counter.

-Keep the big guys in check. Klayton Korver was shutout last time and SIU will have a great chance if they can keep him down again. Ajay Calvin played very well last game and keeping him off the glass will be a key to victory.

Overall the Bulldogs are well coached and prepared to give us a challenge. However, this SIU team looked almost unbeatable on Saturday and if that same Saluki squad comes to play on Monday night they will win their 11^th straight game against Drake at SIU Arena.