Indiana State (12-9, 4-6) @ Evansville (6-14, 0-10)
Roberts Stadium
Evansville, IN 2:05 PM CT
TV: WTWO
Chances for Evansville to pick up a conference win are becoming slimmer and slimmer. It’s not always easy to win on the road in the Valley. Therefore, they’ll need to get that win at home. After Indiana State today they have home games against Bradley, Wichita State, and UNI. As much as I’d like to see them beat one of the top two teams, it doesn’t appear very likely. Basically it comes down to either Indiana State or Bradley. Today could be that day! Colt Ryan and Denver Holmes continue to lead the Purple Aces. The two underclassmen are the future of Evansville basketball but Coach Simmons wants to win now.
Indiana State put a halt to a four-game losing streak with a home win against Southern Illinois on Thursday. Harry Marshall went 7-8 from the free throw line as the Sycamores won by 3. In Terre Haute, they beat the Purple Aces 69-55. Marshall had 19 in that game in which the Sycamores lead by 10 at half and used an 11-0 run to break open the game. Expect the Purple Aces to play well in front of their home crowd.
– Panon
Wichita State (18-4, 7-3) @ Southern Illinois (12-8, 4-6)
SIU Arena
Carbondale, IL 7:00 PM CT
TV: ESPNU
SIU Arena isn’t quite the same hostile environment is used to be. So far this season UNI, Drake, and Bradley all pulled out conference wins there. Will Wichita be the next team? Playing in their fourth game in 9 days, fans could see a tired team on the floor. This string of games started with an overtime win against Illinois State, followed up with a non-conference win against Western Kentucky last Monday, and then on Thursday lost at Indiana State. Coach Lowry may need to go to his bench early and often.
Wichita State has lost two of their last four games. Both of those games were on the road (one to CU by 1 point and a 14-point loss to a hot shooting Drake team). Given the success of other teams at SIU Arena, the Shockers can’t look too far ahead with UNI on the horizon. A tough couple of games here and the schedule favors them the rest of the way. Clevin Hannah scored 22 in their last game against Illinois State. Toure’ Murry and Hannah have been as reliable as they come for Coach Marshall this season.
– Panon