Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University will host Northern Iowa in a basketball game at the Banterra Center on Saturday. The event, part of a two-game homestand, is themed around Space Jam and is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

Saluki Jam offers several promotions, including an S-Club and Dawg Pound Alumni Night. Former student-athletes and members of the Dawg Pound and spirit squad are invited to a pregame reception at the Boydston Center. Appetizers and drinks will be served, with registration required for attendance. Attendees can request up to two free tickets, with the deadline for requests set at 5 p.m. on January 17.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN Plus with commentary from Mike Trude and Saluki Hall of Famer Jamaal Tatum. Fans can also listen to the radio broadcast on 101.5 CIL-FM or through various online platforms, including the Saluki Mobile App.

Southern Illinois comes into this matchup after winning their last two games against Missouri State, holding a record of 7-11 overall and 2-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). Key players include Ali Dibba, who leads the team with an average of 16.1 points per game, Kennard Davis Jr., averaging 13.9 points per game, and Jarrett Hensley with an average of 11.8 points per game.

Northern Iowa enters the contest with an 11-7 overall record and a 5-2 standing in the MVC. They were predicted to finish second in the MVC Preseason Poll. Tytan Anderson leads UNI's scoring efforts with an average of 14.7 points per game.

This meeting marks the 79th encounter between Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa, each having won 38 games in their series history.