No.23 Bluejays host Salukis in MVC contest

Jan 15, 2012 - 3:36 PM Omaha, NE (Sports Network) - The Southern Illinois Salukis will try to halt the 23rd-ranked Creighton Bluejays' five-game winning streak as they head to the CenturyLink Center for Missouri Valley Conference action.

Creighton owns a 49-36 edge in the all-time series with Southern Illinois. Creighton has won the last seven meetings and eight of nine since an eight- game losing streak to Southern Illinois. 18 of the last 23 meetings have been decided by nine points or less, including three overtime games in the last six encounters.

The Salukis are 6-11 on the season, including a 3-3 mark in MVC play. Southern Illinois had a slow start to the season, but it has recovered nicely with conference wins over Illinois State, Bradley, and Indiana State on Friday in its most recent action. The Salukis shot 51 percent from the floor in their win over Indiana State, which improved the total number of times they have shot 50 percent or better in a game this season to four. Head coach Chris Lowery has tried 11 different starting lineups in 17 games this season.

Mamadou Seck is the undisputed go-to-guy for the Salukis. Seck leads the team in scoring (13.6 ppg), rebounding (8.2 rpg), and assists (2.9 apg). Seck has scored in double figures in his last four games and recorded two double- doubles during that span. Kendal Brown-Surles averages 10.2 ppg after scoring in double-figures in six of the last seven games. T.J. Lindsay converted from a point guard into a shooter has made an impact. Lindsay pushed Southern Illinois past Illinois State by knocking down 6-of-7 from three-point range in the contest. Lindsay averages just 7.6 ppg, but his ability to impact games is undeniable.

The Bluejays are off to a 15-2 start this season. After being upset by Missouri State in the MVC opener, the Bluejays have picked up five straight victories. Head coach Greg McDermott has one of the top offenses in the nation. Creighton is leading the nation in field goal percentage (51.4) and is in the top 10 in assists per game (19.8) and points per game (82.2). The Bluejays shot 57.1 percent from the floor on their way to 87 points their last time out.

Win or lose, this will be a memorable day for Creighton's star forward Doug McDermott. The sophomore forward enters the contest with 993 career points. The probability he reaches the milestone mark is almost a certainty, as nobody has contained him all season. McDermott has been very good against MVC opponents, including a 44-point outing against Bradley just last Saturday. Grant Gibbs has made the Bluejays' offense operate smoothly, leading the league with 6.1 assists per game.