While the week of finals marks the end of the academic semester for students, the SIU men's basketball team will continue to take to the courts as its season continues.
Here is what is on tap for the Salukis during the winter break.
An opening road trip
The SIU men's basketball team begins a three-game road trip Sunday as it travels to face Nevada (3-4) in a rematch of last season's BracketBuster showdown. The Salukis (3-4) beat the Wolfpack at the SIU Arena last season, 74-49, but both teams are without their top two scorers from last season's matchup.
SIU returns to the Midwest to face in-state rival Northern Illinois (4-5) Dec. 17. The Salukis defeated the Huskies last season, 88-68. Head coach Chris Lowery said it will be a homecoming game of sorts for several SIU players as guards Bryan Mullins, Kevin Dillard and Ryan Hare, along with forward Christian Cornelius return to play in the northern Illinois area.
The trip concludes Dec. 20 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis as senior guard Wesley Clemmons returns to his hometown when SIU faces Saint Mary's (6-1) in the Wooden Tradition. The Salukis are winless in their two neutral court games this season, falling to Duke and UCLA in Madison Square Garden, and the competition does not get easier for SIU. The Gaels feature one of the nation's best guards, Patrick Mills, who averages 20.1 points per game.
The Salukis' final non-conference test
SIU wraps up its out-of-conference schedule Dec. 22 when it hosts Western Michigan (2-7). The Broncos beat the Salukis last season, 57-41, as SIU put forth one of its most disappointing offensive efforts and only shot 26.9 percent and had no players score in double figures.
SIU opens Missouri Valley Conference play
The Missouri Valley Conference portion of SIU's schedule tips-off Dec. 28 as it travels to Peoria to face Bradley (4-3). The Salukis bounced the Braves in both of their games last season.
SIU will then host Northern Iowa (5-3) in a New Year's Eve showdown. The Salukis dropped two of three to the Panthers last season, including a 54-49 loss in St. Louis that knocked them out of the MVC Tournament. However, SIU has not lost against UNI at the SIU Arena since 1997.
Defending MVC champion Drake (6-2) comes to the SIU Arena Jan. 4 in the first game of the New Year for both teams. The Bulldogs and Salukis split a pair of games last season when each team was victorious on its home court. SIU upset then-No. 14 Drake, 65-62, as the Bulldogs misfired on what would have been a game-tying 3-point shot as time expired.
The Salukis travel to Wichita, Kansas, to face Wichita State (3-4). SIU swept the Shockers last season with a 63-52 win at home and a 74-67 overtime victory on the road. It was the first time the Salukis were able to pick up a road win against Wichita State since 2003.
SIU returns home Jan. 10 to face Evansville (5-1) in its final game before classes resume Jan. 12. The Salukis have won four of their last six games against the Purple Aces, including 10 straight at home.
Women's basketball preview
The SIU women's basketball team opens up its winter break with a pair of road games. The Salukis travel up-state to face Chicago State Dec. 14 and then turn around two days later to face Central Arkansas Dec. 16.
SIU will be striving to break its current three-game losing streak as the Salukis are winless away from the SIU Arena.
After its road trip, SIU returns home for a two-game home stand against Tennessee Tech and Northern Illinois Dec. 21 and Dec 28, respectively. Both of the Salukis' wins have come at home, where SIU will close its non-conference schedule.
Once the out-of-conference portion of the schedule is put in its rearview, SIU begins Missouri Valley Conference play Jan. 2 against Evansville. It is the first of three straight road games to start the MVC season. The Salukis face Bradley Jan. 9 and Northern Iowa Jan. 11 to complete the grueling three-game swing.
SIU opens the home portion of its MVC schedule Jan. 15 against Creighton as students should be settled in by then.
