University of Southern Indiana Men’s Basketball launches the 2015-16 Great Lakes Valley Conference campaign this week when it hosts McKendree University Thursday and the University of Illinois Springfield Saturday the at the Physical Activities Center. Game time for Thursday night against the Bearcats is 7:30 p.m., while tip-off on Saturday versus Illinois Springfield is 3:15 p.m.
Game coverage for USI Men’s Basketball games, including live stats, audio and video, is available at GoUSIEagles.com. The Eagle games also can be heard over the air on WEOA 98.5FM/1400AM and WPSR 90.7FM.
The opening weekend of GLVC play has several special promotions for the men’s and women’s basketball doubleheaders at the PAC. Thursday night for the USI-McKendree match-up, the first 300 USI students will receive scratch-off tickets to participate in halftime contest. Saturday afternoon for the USI-Illinois Springfield doubleheader, the first 300 USI students at the women’s game will receive a USI Athletics Santa Hat, in addition to an ugliest sweater contest at halftime, while the men’s halftime promotion is the WSWI Archie’s Relay Challenge.
This Week’s USI Men’s Basketball Quick Notes:Â
Eagles go 2-1 over Thanksgiving. USI was 2-1 through the Thanksgiving week, posting wins over Kentucky State University (111-101) and Ohio Valley University (85-65) before falling to fifth-ranked Midwestern State University (86-69). Freshman guard Alex Stein and junior guard Jeril Taylorled USI with 18.7 and 18.3 points per game, respectively.
Double-doubles at the PAC for Taylor. Junior guard Jeril Taylor has been double trouble for opponents at the PAC with three double-doubles in the four games to start the homestand. He had 17 points, 10 rebounds versus Lees-McRae College; 33 points, 13 rebounds versus Kentucky State; and 15 points 10 rebounds against #5 Midwestern State. The three double-doubles rank third in the NCAA II.
Four in double-digits to start the year.  USI has four players averaging in double-digit to start the 2015-16 campaign. Freshman guard Alex Stein and junior guard Jeril Taylor are currently on top of the USI scoring column with 16.7 and 16.3 points per game, respectively, while senior forward George Edwards is third with 13.8 points per outing and junior guard Bobo Drummond is dropping in 12.0 points per contest.
USI picked to place 3rd in GLVC East. With the start of GLVC play, the Eagles are predicted to place third in the East Division during 2015-16. USI was selected behind Bellarmine University, which was predicted to win the division, and the University of Indianapolis.
USI vs. GLVC since 1992-93. The Eagles have been dominating in the GLVC since 1992-93, posting a regular season conference record of 337-96 (.778). Between 1992 and 2014, USI has had at least 14 wins 20 times, posted 16 or more wins eight times, and won seven regular season conference titles.
USI vs. McKendree. USI hosts McKendree for the 2015-16 GLVC opener and holds a 9-3 all-time series lead, despite falling last year in Lebanon, Illinois, 88-82.The Eagles lead the series at the PAC, 5-1, since 2000 and have a 3-1 advantage since the Bearcats joined the GLVC in 2012-13.
McKendree in 2015-16. The Bearcats of McKendree are off to a GLVC-best 4-0 start in 2015-16.
USI vs. Illinois Springfield. USI leads the all-time series with Illinois Springfield, 7-2, after defeating the Prairie Stars, 67-54, on the road in 2014-15. The Eagles are 5-1 versus the Stars at the PAC since 2000 and have won last two meetings.
Illinois Springfield in 2015-16. The Prairie Stars of Illinois Springfield are 3-3 to start the 2015-16 campaign. Illinois Springfield began the year 2-1, but has lost two of its last three.
