Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University's men's basketball team is set to face Southern Indiana at the Banterra Center on Saturday afternoon. The game, scheduled for a 2 p.m. tipoff, will be broadcast on ESPN+ and can also be followed via local radio on 101.5 CIL-FM and various online platforms.

The Saluki Athletics department has planned promotions for the event, including distributing 5,000 glow sticks to "Light Up Banterra Center" and a halftime performance by Ultimate Gymnastics and Cheerleading of Carbondale.

Commentary for the ESPN Plus broadcast will be provided by Mike Trude and Saluki Hall of Famer Jamaal Tatum. Radio commentary will feature Luke Martin and Rodney Watson.

Key players for Southern Illinois include Kennard Davis Jr., who has been scoring consistently with at least 15 points in his last four games, and Ali Dibba, who recently achieved a career-high of 26 points against Eastern Kentucky. Sheridan Sharp has stepped up following an injury to Elijah Elliott, while Jarrett Hensley has improved his performance after a slow start this season.

The Salukis are currently led by first-year head coach Scott Nagy, who brings extensive experience with over 580 wins in his coaching career. The team welcomed several newcomers this season alongside returners like Davis Jr., Hensley, and Sharp.

Southern Indiana enters the game with a record of 4-4, having won their last three games. They are led by Jayland Randall, averaging 16.3 points per game.

Historically, SIU leads the series against USI with four wins out of five encounters. The upcoming game marks the final meeting under a previously agreed two-for-one deal between the teams.

For further updates on the Salukis' progress throughout the season, fans can visit SIUSalukis.com or follow them on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.