Valparaiso at Southern Illinois: 2/21/21 College Basketball Picks and Prediction

Defensively, Valparaiso is allowing their opponents to average 69.0 ppg on 43.9% shooting from the field. The Crusaders have a rebound margin of -5.5 and a turnover margin of 1.1.

The Southern Illinois Salukis dropped to 10-10 on the season after being defeated by the Missouri State Bears, 68-53, this past Wednesday. Southern Illinois had no answers on the offensive end against the Missouri State defense and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 36-22 margin. Southern Illinois shot 34.5% from the field and 25.0% from beyond the arc while Missouri State shot 51.7% from the field and 26.3% from beyond the arc. Southern Illinois was outrebounded by Missouri State by a 43-27 margin and forced 11 turnovers in the loss. Leading the way for the Salukis was Lance Jones who had 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, & 1 steal.

On the season, Southern Illinois is averaging 67.0 ppg on 44.4% shooting from the field. The Salukis are averaging 8.2 three-pointers per game on 36.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Southern Illinois has been led by Marcus Domask (16.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.0 bpg), Lance Jones (12.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.6 spg), Ben Harvey (10.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.6 apg), & Trent Brown (7.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.1 spg). Marcus Domask has missed the Salukis last few games and is currently questionable due to an undisclosed reason.

Defensively, Southern Illinois is allowing their opponents to average 69.0 ppg on 46.1% shooting from the field. The Salukis have a rebound margin of -4.5 and a turnover margin of 1.3.

The Crusaders are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up loss, however, are just 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games. The Salukis are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 home games vs. a team with a losing road record, however, are just 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games.

Southern Illinois has lost 10 of their last 13 games and their offense has really struggled lately without their leading scoring Marcus Domask as the Salukis have averaged just 55.0 ppg over their last four games. Valparaiso can also struggle on the offensive end, however, the Crusaders have looked solid as of late with a competitive loss at Loyola-Chicago and a 74-57 win at Drake and as I think the Crusaders defense, which ranks t-136th in scoring defense, will give Southern Illinois trouble, I am taking Valparaiso and the point. Good Luck!