Ask anybody around town who is going to win Saturday's game and they will tell you the Purple Aces of Evansville have no chance. It's gotta be the Salukis in a blowout, right? Not so fast there buddy. Isn't this the same Evansville team that knocked off the mighty Salukis just one month ago? Indeed it is.
The Purple Aces defended their home court against SIU by throwing everything but the kitchen sink at Southern on the defensive end. Evansville used a matchup zone, and man to man, and several different versions of the traditional zone defense to confuse the visiting Salukis. And it worked to perfection.
This time around things are going to be a little bit different. First of all this game is already sold out and some (if not all) of the Evansville players will be playing in front of the biggest crowd of their lives. Another factor is that SIU knows what to expect this time and is playing much better basketball than the last time they met. If that's not enough, oh yeah... A couple of guys are going to be playing their last game at the Arena on Saturday night.
The emotion of JT and Tony is going to be a factor. For some reason I feel that this is more of a factor with Jamaal Tatum who has used his years at SIU (just as many other people have) to make mistakes, learn from his mistakes, and grow up. He also played a little basketball while he was here and when he looks back at all he has accomplished you can't blame him for not wanting it to end. There will be a surge of adrenaline to start this game but don't be surprised if there is something of a drop off late in the first half when that adrenaline rush starts to wear off.
For Tony Young it's a little bit of a different story. He's all business all the time. Make no mistake, Tony has developed quite a bit in his years here and with a few more wins he will hold the most wins for any player in SIU history. But Tony has a warrior mentality, a killer instinct, a cold heart towards his opponent. When he sees the Purple Aces standing on his home court he sees blood it the water. I get the feeling Tony views the Senior night ceremony as a way for his opponent to wait an extra 30 minutes in the Arena before leaving with a loss.
Let me just say this. These guys are two of my favorite players of all time and it's been one hell of a ride. The good news is... it's not over yet.
Look for SIU to pay extra attention to Evansville big man Matt Webster. He killed us last time around. Keeping Shaw and Falker out of foul trouble will be key because we really don't want Foster or Boyle having to guard this guy. Boyle will do his best if he is asked to take the assignment but I can picture him getting 5 fouls in about 10 minutes if he has to stay on Webster too long.
The bottom line is that this SIU team is too good to be denied. Southern will win this game and send the Seniors out on a high note. Don't believe me? Just go around town and ask someone. Official Salukihoops prediction- SIU over Evansville 66-55.
Check back here after the game for a complete wrap up and tune in to 91.1 WDBX or www.wdbx.org on Sunday morning at 10am as we discuss SIU basketball and more!
