The 12th-ranked University of Southern Indiana men’s basketball team tips off post-season play in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. The third-seeded Screaming Eagles (25-3), who earned a first round bye in the conference tournament, enters the quarterfinals against sixth-seeded Truman State University (21-8).
In addition to USI and Truman, the lower half of the GLVC Tournament bracket includes second-seeded and West Division champion Quincy University (24-5) and seventh-seeded Lewis University (17-12). The winners advance to the semifinals Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
The upper half of the GLVC Tournament bracket includes fourth-ranked and top-seeded Bellarmine University (25-3), fourth-seeded University of Wisconsin-Parkside, fifth-seeded University of Indianapolis, and eighth-seeded Drury University (18-9). Game time for Bellarmine, the GLVC East Division champion, and Drury is noon Thursday, while the UW-Parkside and UIndy contest is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
Live coverage of USI’s games in the GLVC Tournament, including live statistics and audio/video broadcasts are available at GoUSIEagles.com. The games also can be heard over the airwaves on WEOA 98.5FM/1400AM and 95.7FM The Spin.
USI Men’s Basketball vs. Week 18 Quick Notes:
- USI in national rankings.The University of Southern Indiana fell in the NCAA Division II rankings this week, dropping two spots to 12th in the NABC Division II Top 25 and in the D2SIDA Media Top 25. USI also is ranked 14th in the HeroSports.com and ninth in the NCAA Division II power rankings.
- Eagles win streak ends at six .USI saw its winning streak ended at six games with the 67-61 loss to fourth-ranked Bellarmine University. Sophomore guard Alex Stein led the way for USI with a game-high 20 points.
- Drummond has season-best vs. Bellarmine.Senior guard Bobo Drummond posted a season-high 18 points and five three-point field goals in the loss to Bellarmine.
- USI on neutral court in 2016-17.USI is 6-0 on a neutral site this year, averaging 92.0 points per game and shot 51.0 percent from the field. Senior guard Jeril Taylor is averaging 21.8 points per game, while sophomore guard Alex Stein is posting 18.2 points per outing. Junior forward Julius Rajala rounded out the double-digit road scorers with 15.5 points per game.
- Overall away from the PAC in 2016-17.USI is a combined 13-2 away from the PAC (neutral and road) this year, averaging 89.5 points per game and outrebounded the opposition, 40.0-32.8. Senior guard Jeril Taylor is averaging 20.9 points per game, while sophomore guard Alex Stein is posting 16.7 points per outing. Junior forward Julius Rajala and senior guard Bobo Drummondrounded out the double-digit road scorers with 11.4 and 10.8 points per game, respectively.
- Stein heating up.After suffering through a three-for-26 slump from behind the three-point arc, sophomore guard Alex Stein is heating up. Stein is 12-of-his-last-19 from downtown over the last four games.
- USI vs. the GLVC Tournament Quarterfinal field.The Eagles are 222-118 all-time against the GLVC Tournament quarterfinal field, 18-6 on neutral courts. USI is 4-3 against the quarterfinal teams this season and led by senior guard/forward Jeril Taylor with 22.1 points per game.
- USI andRodney Watson in the GLVC Tournament. USI Head Coach Rodney Watson has led the Eagles to two GLVC championships (2012, 2014) and four of the last six GLVC Tournament championship games (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) since taking the helm in 2009-10. USI also is 13-4 in the GLVC Tournament under Watson.
- USI has won four GLVC Tournament crowns.The Eagles have won the GLVC Tournament title four times since the creation of the tournament in 1998 (2005, 2007, 2012, 2014).
- GLVC Championships for USI.The Eagles have won the GLVC men’s basketball championship 12 times since the start of the league in 1979. USI took the regular season championship eight times before the GLVC began deciding the league’s top team in the conference tournament in 2002.
- USI on neutral court in GLVC Tournament.On a neutral court in the GLVC Tournament, USI is 25-10 in 13 different tournaments.
- USI at the Ford Center in the GLVC Tournament. USI is 5-1 at the Ford Center in the GLVC Tournament, winning the title in 2014.
- USI vs. Potential Opponents in the GLVC Tournament. In the lower half of the GLVC Tournament bracket, third-seeded USI is 3-0 against the potential quarterfinal and semifinal opponents during 2016-17.
- USI vs. sixth-seeded Truman State.The Eagles are 4-1 all-time against Truman State University after posting a 111-89 victory on the road this year and will be playing the Bulldogs for the first time on a neutral court. USI, which has won three-straight match-ups with Truman, was led by senior guard/forward Jeril Taylor, who scored a school-record 50 points in the January victory over the Bulldogs.
- USI vs. second-seeded Quincy. USI is 30-10 all-time against Quincy University after posting an 88-85 victory on the road this year and 2-1 all-time on a neutral court. The Eagles, who have won six of the last seven versus Quincy, was led by sophomore guard Alex Stein, who had 18 points and 10 rebounds in the January win at Quincy.
- USI vs. seventh-seeded Lewis.The Eagles are 45-24 all-time against Lewis University after recording an 80-57 win at the Physical Activities Center and have a 6-0 lead on a neutral site. USI, which has won three of the last four meetings, was led by sophomore guard Alex Stein‘s 18 point effort in the January victory.
