Southern Illinois vs Valparaiso Prediction 1/21/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Southern Illinois Salukis and the Valparaiso Beacons meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Athletics-Recreation Center. Here’s a Southern Illinois vs Valparaiso prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Southern Illinois vs Valparaiso pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

Southern Illinois Salukis Betting Preview

The Salukis kicked off the season with an adventurous 6-4 run featuring losses to Nevada, North Dakota State, UAB and Memphis. Southern Illinois is just 2-7 in the nine games since then however, taking losses to Richmond, Illinois State, Bradley, Murray State, UIC, Drake and Belmont in that time. Over the first 19 games of the year that gives the Salukis an 8-11 record in the books.

In the Belmont game on Saturday the Salukis entered the locker room sporting a 32-24 deficit. Southern Illinois got better from there on a 44-41 advantage but it wasn’t enough to make the comeback complete in a 73-68 loss. Drew Steffe posted 24 points with four assists to lead the way, and the only other team player to reach double-figures was Jalen Haynes with 22 points, four assists and three boards.

Valparaiso Beacons Betting Preview

Over on the Valparaiso side, they notched a 6-3 run over their first nine games with losses to Kentucky, Southern Indiana and Marquette. After losses to UNC Wilmington, Northwestern, Murray State, Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois, the Beacons have since gone 3-2 with losses to Murray State and Belmont. That gives Valparaiso a 9-10 record across their first 19 games of the year.

In the Northern Iowa rematch at home on Saturday, the Beacons went into the second half with a 22-18 edge. Valparaiso kept it up from there on a 32-26 run and took the low-scoring win 54-44 in the end. The only team player to reach double-figures in the victory was Owen Dease with 20 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Justus McNair added eight points with five rebounds as well.

Southern Illinois Salukis @ Valparaiso Beacons Betting Trends: January 21, 2026

Why the Valparaiso Beacons will win

• Southern Illinois has lost each of its last six night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• The home team has won eight of Valparaiso’s last nine games.
• Southern Illinois has lost the first half in each of its last four road night games against the Missouri Valley Conference.

Why the Southern Illinois Salukis will win

• Southern Illinois has won each of its last four road games against Valparaiso.
• Valparaiso has lost four of its last five night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Southern Illinois vs Valparaiso Prediction

I’m going to take a stab on Southern Illinois but you could call this one either way. The Salukis couldn’t quite catch a pretty good Belmont team in a home loss over the weekend, shooting just 36.2 percent from the field with a 42-22 deficit in the paint. Southern Illinois did well from the line on 85 percent (17-of-20) however, and had a competitive day on the boards. Still, that makes three straight losses for the Salukis, who have failed to reach 69 points in two of those outings.

These teams last saw each other back on New Year’s Day in a 75-70 home win for Southern Illinois. In that one the Salukis shot a tepid 40 percent from the field and just 59.5 percent (25-of-42) from the line in a free-throw-heavy game. Valparaiso helped out with just 31.8 percent from the field and 19 percent (4-of-21) from 3-point range, though. This rematch should be competitive as well and it seems like a coin flip.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Southern Illinois Salukis +1.5