Carbondale Reporter

The Southern Illinois University (SIU) men's basketball team is set to face off against Drake University this Saturday at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Illinois. The Salukis are looking to continue their recent winning streak as they prepare for the game against the Bulldogs, who hold a 19-2 overall record and are 9-2 in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play.

Fans attending the game can purchase tickets starting at $10 without additional fees through SIUSalukis.com/Tickets or by calling 877-SALUKIS. The event will feature several promotions, including a "White Out" theme where attendees are encouraged to wear white. Additionally, the game will celebrate the Banterra Center's 60th anniversary with a nod to the 1960s era.

Broadcast coverage of the game will be available on ESPNU with Clay Matvick and Kevin Lehman providing commentary. Local radio broadcasts can be accessed on 101.5 CIL-FM and through various online platforms such as SIUSalukis.com/Listen and the Saluki Mobile App.

The Salukis have won five of their last six games, improving their overall record to 10-12 and holding a conference record of 5-6. This season marks only the fifth time SIU has started an MVC season with an 0-5 record or worse but has since rebounded with five wins in its last six outings.

Key players for SIU include Ali Dibba, who leads the team with an average of 16.5 points per game, ranking second in MVC scoring. Jarrett Hensley also stands out with his defensive contributions, leading SIU in blocks.

Drake enters Saturday's matchup under first-year head coach Ben McCollum and is currently ranked third in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top-25 Poll. The Bulldogs lead several statistical categories within the MVC, including scoring defense and turnover margin.

Historically, Southern Illinois leads Drake in their all-time series with a record of 61-44; however, Drake has won each of their last four encounters.

Fans can follow updates about the Salukis on social media platforms like X, Instagram, and Facebook or download their mobile app for more information.