2025 MVC Tournament Preview: Southern Illinois vs. Indiana State
The Missouri Valley Conference Tournament is set to kick off with a compelling first-round matchup between the No. 8 seed Southern Illinois Salukis and the No. 9 seed Indiana State Sycamores. The contest is scheduled for Thursday at 1 p.m. ET, taking place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. Following their recent encounter, where Indiana State emerged victorious with a score of 95-77, both teams are eager to continue their season.
Recent Performance Overview
Southern Illinois has faced considerable challenges recently, including losses in five of their last six games, with three of those defeats coming by a narrow margin of just five points or less. In contrast, Indiana State broke a three-game losing streak with their recent win, which helped them secure a tie in the conference standings alongside Southern Illinois and Evansville.
Game Day Betting Lines
- Spread: Southern Illinois -1.5
- Over/Under: 157.5 points
- Money Line: Southern Illinois: -118, Indiana State: -102
Why Southern Illinois Might Prevail
Despite recent struggles, the Salukis demonstrated their potential earlier in the season by winning seven out of nine conference games at one juncture. Their resilience was evident in their matchup against Illinois State last Tuesday, where they secured an 88-79 win as 1.5-point underdogs. Key players for Southern Illinois include:
- Kennard Davis Jr.: Scored 24 points against Illinois State and led the team with 19 points in the recent loss to Indiana State.
- Ali Dibba: Contributed 22 points, along with notable rebounds and assists.
- Drew Steffe: Added 18 points to support the team’s efforts.
Interestingly, Southern Illinois has covered the spread in 13 of the last 19 encounters against Indiana State, which may bolster their confidence heading into this matchup.
Indiana State’s Path to Success
On the other side, Indiana State showcased strong performance in their last meeting against Southern Illinois, leading by 21 points at halftime and maintaining their advantage throughout. Although they faced difficulties earlier in the season, they managed to cover the spread in recent games against formidable opponents like Belmont and even pushed conference-leading Drake to overtime despite being heavy underdogs. Their standout players include:
- Samage Teel: Scored 20 points, facilitating crucial plays with six assists against Southern Illinois.
- Aaron Gray: Achieved a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
- Camp Wagner: Also added 18 points, playing a vital role in their recent victory.
Indiana State has covered the spread in six of their last nine games, while Southern Illinois has had difficulty, going just 1-5 against the spread in their last six outings.
Model Predictions and Betting Trends
A predictive model has simulated this matchup 10,000 times, suggesting an inclination toward the Under, alongside a specific point-spread pick that has shown a solid success rate. For anyone interested in detailed predictions and betting strategies, visiting SportsLine could provide further insights.
Conclusion
As both teams prepare for this pivotal game in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, the stakes are high. With a recent victory behind them, Indiana State will look to capitalize on their momentum, while Southern Illinois seeks to turn their season around. This matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter as both squads vie for advancement in the tournament.