In a shocking turn of events, Southern Illinois pulled off a monumental upset at CEFCU Arena, taking down Illinois State 54-50. The Salukis, ranked 138th in the net rankings, entered the game as significant underdogs against the 71st-ranked Redbirds. However, Quel'Ron House and company had other plans, handing Illinois State a devastating loss that will surely send shockwaves through the college basketball landscape.
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Illinois State winning by 11 points, but that prognostication was wildly inaccurate. Instead, Southern Illinois' stifling defense held the Redbirds to just 50 points, well below their average. Chase Walker led the way for Illinois State with 12 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Salukis' balanced attack. House was the star of the show, pouring in 22 points to pace Southern Illinois.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Illinois State taking a 24-22 lead into halftime. However, Southern Illinois came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Redbirds 32-26 to seal the victory. Rolyns Aligbe was a key contributor for the Salukis, chipping in 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Jalen Haynes added 8 points and 5 rebounds. For Illinois State, Landon Wolf and Johnny Kinziger provided supporting roles, scoring 11 and 10 points, respectively.
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This upset win is a significant resume booster for Southern Illinois, as it qualifies as a Quad 1 victory. On the other hand, Illinois State suffers a Quad 3 loss, which could have implications for their tournament chances. The Redbirds' loss is a tough pill to swallow, especially considering their lofty ranking and expectations. As for the Salukis, they'll look to build on this momentum as they continue their push for a postseason berth.
The loss will undoubtedly raise questions about Illinois State's legitimacy as a tournament contender. With a strength of schedule that has been questioned at times, the Redbirds can ill afford to drop games to teams ranked significantly lower than them. Meanwhile, Southern Illinois want to parlay this upset into a late-season surge, potentially propelling themselves into the conversation for a tournament bid.
In the end, Southern Illinois' stunning upset of Illinois State will be remembered as one of the most significant surprises of the season. As the Salukis celebrate their monumental victory, they'll also be aware that this win has major implications for their tournament resume. With a Quad 1 win under their belt, Southern Illinois has taken a significant step forward in their pursuit of a postseason spot, while Illinois State want to regroup and refocus in the wake of this disappointing loss.