The Northern Iowa Panthers are riding a five-game winning streak, averaging 78.6 points per game over that stretch, and they'll look to keep that momentum going against the Southern Illinois Salukis, who have been averaging 72.2 points per game over their last five contests, with a 3-2 record in that span. Northern Iowa's recent form has been impressive, outscoring opponents by 15.2 points per game, and they've been particularly dominant at home, where they've won 12 of their 14 games this season, including an 86-62 thrashing of Drake and a 71-55 win over Evansville. The Salukis, on the other hand, have been struggling on the road, with a 4-9 record away from home, but they've shown flashes of brilliance, including an 80-65 win at Indiana State and a 54-50 win at Illinois State.
Key Matchups
One player to watch in this matchup is Northern Iowa's leading scorer, who has been on a tear lately, averaging 22.5 points per game over the last five contests, including a 28-point outing against Bradley and a 25-point performance against Evansville. The Salukis must find a way to slow him down if they hope to pull off the upset, and they may look to their own leading scorer, who has been averaging 20.5 points per game over the last five games, including a 30-point outing against Murray State. The Salukis have also been getting strong contributions from their bench, which has been outscoring Northern Iowa's bench by an average of 10 points per game over the last five contests.
The Panthers have been dominant on the glass, outrebounding their opponents by an average of 7.4 rebounds per game over the last five contests, and they've been particularly effective on the defensive end, allowing just 63.4 points per game over that stretch. The Salukis, on the other hand, have been struggling to find consistency on offense, scoring 60 or fewer points in two of their last five games, including a 60-70 loss to Bradley and a 54-50 win over Illinois State. However, they've also shown the ability to score in bunches, putting up 86 points against Evansville and 80 points at Indiana State.
CHD Scout Prediction
Southern Illinois
64
Northern Iowa
71
The CHD Scout prediction has Northern Iowa winning by 7.2 points, with a 73.4% win probability, and it's easy to see why. The Panthers have been playing some of their best basketball of the season, with four wins by 10 or more points over their last five games, and they've been particularly effective at home, where they've won 12 of their 14 games this season. The Salukis, on the other hand, have been struggling to find consistency on the road, with a 4-9 record away from home, and they've been outscored by an average of 7.5 points per game over their last five contests. The Panthers' ability to control the tempo and dominate the glass should give them a significant advantage in this matchup.
The Salukis have been trying to build some momentum heading into the final stretch of the season, and a win over Northern Iowa would be a huge boost to their tournament resume. They've been averaging 72.2 points per game over their last five contests, and they've been getting strong contributions from their leading scorer, who has been averaging 20.5 points per game over that stretch. However, they'll need to find a way to slow down the Panthers' offense, which has been averaging 78.6 points per game over the last five contests, and they'll need to do a better job on the glass, where they've been outrebounded by an average of 5.6 rebounds per game over the last five contests.
Tournament Stakes
A win for Northern Iowa would be a significant boost to their tournament resume, as it would give them a quality win over a team that's been playing well lately. The Panthers are currently sitting at 17-10 overall, with a 9-7 record in the MVC, and a win over the Salukis would give them a significant advantage in the conference standings. For the Salukis, a win would be a huge upset, and it would give them a much-needed boost to their tournament resume. They're currently sitting at 12-15 overall, with a 6-10 record in the MVC, and a win over Northern Iowa would be a significant statement win. A loss, on the other hand, would be a significant setback, and it would make it even harder for them to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.
The Panthers have been playing some of their best basketball of the season, with four wins by 10 or more points over their last five games, and they've been particularly effective on the defensive end, allowing just 63.4 points per game over that stretch. The Salukis, on the other hand, have been struggling to find consistency on offense, scoring 60 or fewer points in two of their last five games. However, they've also shown the ability to score in bunches, putting up 86 points against Evansville and 80 points at Indiana State. The Panthers must find a way to slow down the Salukis' offense, and they'll need to do a better job on the glass, where they've been outrebounded by an average of 2.4 rebounds per game over the last five contests. With a strong performance, the Panthers could make a significant statement and solidify their position in the conference standings, while a loss would be a significant setback and would make it harder for them to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.