Bradley vs Southern Illinois 1/22/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Southern Illinois Salukis will travel to Carver Arena to take on the Bradley Braves this Saturday night in College Basketball action.

The Southern Illinois Salukis snapped a 3-game losing streak and improved to 10-8 on the season after defeating the Indiana State Sycamores, 63-55, this past Tuesday. Southern Illinois trailed by a 46-41 margin midway through the 2^nd half, however, the Salukis were outstanding defensively down the stretch and was able to pull away for the victory after a 12-0 run gave the Salukis a 55-48 lead with 5:45 left in regulation. Southern Illinois shot 41.4% from the field & 40.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Indiana State to shoot 40.4% from the field & 32.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Salukis was Lance Jones who had 14 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, & 3 steals.

On the season, Southern Illinois is averaging 65.3 ppg on 45.6% shooting from the field. The Salukis are averaging 8.2 three-pointers per game on 36.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Southern Illinois has been led by Marcus Domask (15.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.1 apg), Lance Jones (13.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.9 spg), Ben Coupet Jr. (11.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.2 apg), & Stephen Verplancken Jr. (8.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.1 apg).

Defensviely, Southern Illinois is holding their opponents to an average of 60.9 ppg on 44.1% shooting from the field. The Salukis have a rebound margin of 0.8 and a turnover margin of -0.2.

The Bradley Braves improved to 9-10 on the season after defeating the Drake Bulldogs, 83-71, this past Wednesday. Bradley was incredible on the offensive end against Drake and held off the Bulldogs for the victory after taking a 68-55 lead with 6:52 left in regulation. Bradley shot 59.6% from the field & 36.8% from beyond the arc while holding Drake to 37.7% shooting from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Braves was Terry Roberts who had 18 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, & 2 steals.

On the season, Bradley is averaging 72.4 ppg on 44.8% shooting from the field. The Braves are averaging 8.4 three-pointers per game on 34.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Bradley has been led by Terry Roberts (15.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.7 spg), Rienk Mast (10.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.2 apg), Ja’Shon Henry (10.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg), & Malevy Leons (10.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.2 bpg).

Defensively, Bradley is allowing their opponents to average 67.3 ppg on 39.6% shooting from the field. The Braves have a rebound margin of 6.0 and a turnover margin of -1.1.

The Salukis are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games, however, are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 road games. The Braves are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games & 4-3 ATS in their last 7 home games.

Southern Illinois has been led by their defense which ranks 23^rd in scoring defense, however, the Salukis have struggled on the offensive end as they come into this game ranked just 306^th in scoring offense. Bradley comes into this game ranked 168^th in scoring offense, 135^th in scoring defense, & 32^nd in defensive FG%.

Southern Illinois picked up a nice win against Indiana State, however, this is still a team that can struggle to put up points and come into this with just a 2-4 road record. Bradley might have a losing record, however, they were competitive in losses against Toledo & Loyola Chicago and are coming off their most impressive victory of the season in a double-digit win at Drake. Bradley is 6-2 at home this season and as I think their defense is going to give Southern Illinois a bunch of trouble, I’m taking the Braves to cover this home spread. Good Luck!