Panther’s Toothsayer: Southern Illinois Salukis
- Tyler
- Dec 1
- 5 min read
📍 Series & Setting
High Point continues its homestand now sitting at 7–1 with elite national metrics, especially on the offensive side. Many of HPU’s recent opponents have wanted to play in a similar mold: fast, furious, and with an emphasis on the three. This upcoming game, though, is a different kind of dogfight.
Southern Illinois comes in from the Missouri Valley at 4–4, but don’t let the record fool you. The Salukis were picked in the crowded MVC top tier and look more like a team still figuring out how all the new pieces fit together than a true middle-of-the-pack group.
There’s recent history, too. High Point went to Carbondale last season and won 94–81 in a track meet. Chase Johnston is the only Panther who played real minutes in that one, while SIU brings back rotation guys Damien Mayo Jr., Davion Sykes, and Drew Steffe who all saw the floor. Different rosters, different venue, same staffs, and two highly regarded mid-major programs.