The Southern Illinois Salukis (4-0 SU, 3-0 ATS) are fresh off an impressive run through the Las Vegas Invitational, sweeping over Vanderbilt and UTEP the last two games. This is a quick, defensive team that is playing 'D' with great intensity. There are strong guns in the backcourt with 6'-3" senior guard Darren Brooks and 6'-3" senior Stetson Hairston. Up front, veteran 6'-8", 250-lb senior Josh Warren bangs the boards and 6'-7" freshman Randal Falker has contributed. Hairston scored 16 points to lead Southern Illinois past UTEP 68-62 in the championship game of the Las Vegas Holiday Invitational Tournament Saturday. Darren Brooks, who won the tournament's Most Valuable Player Award, had 14 points for Southern Illinois, including a 5-for-5 performance from the free-throw line. The Salukis went 15-for-17 from the foul line for 88.2 percent, including a 7-for-8 performance from Hairston. This may be a long road trip, but remember a year ago Southern Illinois was 11-3 SU/10-3 ATS on the road! Also, the Salukis are traveling from LV, not Illinois, a huge difference. Rebuilding Hawaii (2-0) hasn't played anyone, beating Mississippi Valley State and Coastal Carolina. In fact, Hawaii came back from a 22-point deficit early in the second half to beat Coastal Carolina 72-65! Wait til they get a look at how quick and aggressive Southern Illinois is on 'D'. Hawaii has 6'-9" junior Julian Sensley (12 ppg, 7 rpg) and 6'-8" senior Jeff Blackett up front, but SI has had a tougher schedule and is playing great 'D'.
GL boys,
GL boys,
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