The Salukis haven't played a regular season game yet but on Monday morning SIU will look to move up at least one spot in the top 25 rankings. The Kentucky Wildcats (#20 AP, #22 USA Today/ESPN) will probably drop out of the top 25 after being flat out beaten by Gardner-Webb in Kentucky!
The Salukis will most likely move to #23 in the AP and #22 in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
This game was televised on ESPN U and I was able to watch the upset brew. Gardner-Webb (approx enrollment- 3,900) did an outstanding job of rebounding against a bigger opponent and played without fear throughout the game. When Kentucky pressured their guards on the perimeter Gardner-Webb beat them with back door cuts.
What impressed me the most was the way Gardner-Webb continued to attack the Wildcats when they chipped away at the lead in the second half. Too many teams tighten up in that situation but the Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb played true to their nickname and earned every point of their 16 point win.
This is just one more example of the parity in college basketball. If a team like Gardner-Webb can blow out a ranked team on the road, then it's not too crazy to think the Salukis could knock out a 1 or 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament on their way to the Final Four.
