Home court advantage seems to be more important in college basketball. Maybe it's the lighting in the arenas, the bounce of the floor, the tightness of the rim, or the rowdy student sections. What ever it is the Salukis know how to benefit. Southern Illinois is 76-3 (.962) at home since the start of the 2001-02 season and the Salukis have won 50 of their last 51 Valley home games at SIU Arena.
Bradley is 45-88 all-time versus nationally-ranked opponents, including a 9-43 record in road games.
Bradley has a chance to come in and win tonight because they can score the basketball. The Braves lead the MVC with 76.5 PPG and they rarely turn the ball over (only 11.5 turnovers a game). On the other hand they will be going against an immovable object- a Saluki defense that only allows 55 points a game (sixth in the nation).
Official Salukihoops prediction- SIU 66- Bradley 59.
SIU Lands '08 Shooting Guard
C-Low landed a big time recuit in 6-4 Shooting Guard Torres Roundtree.
Roundtree had interest from Mo State, Illinois State, Purdue, and SLU, but chose to come to Carbondale instead. Roundtree is a perfect fit for Lowery's preferred 3 guard offense because of his size and defensive skills. Roundtree is a three star recruit and a great pickup for Chris Lowery and the Salukis.Here is one scout's take after watching him recently- A well built 6-4 junior guard, Roundtree wears many hats for Florissant (MO) McCluer North. He’ll play the point half the time, he’ll post up and he plays some terrific defense. He had a whopping nine steals on the day and most of them came from his keen ability to read passing lanes and sense for when to sneak up from behind as a ball hawking help side defender. A tough driver and good rebounder, his jumper still needs more work but he’s got a chance to be a high major player.
