EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men's Basketball returns to Screaming Eagles Arena this week looking to strengthen home court advantage as it enters the last two weeks of the regular season. USI (14-6, 9-5 GLVC), which is 5-4 at home this season, will host Maryville University (10-13, 4-11 GLVC) Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Missouri University of Science & Technology (10-13, 6-10 GLVC) Saturday at 3:15 p.m.
Fans are encouraged to wear pink Thursday night to show support for the fight against breast cancer. USI Women's Basketball game versus Maryville at 5:30 p.m. Thursday is the annual Play4Kay game for the Screaming Eagles.
Game coverage information for USI Men's Basketball, including live stats, video, and audio broadcasts, is available on
GoUSIEagles.com. The games also can be heard on ESPN 97.7FM and 95.7FM The Spin.
Following this week's homestand, USI completes the 2021-22 regular season schedule next week when it travels the University of Missouri-St. Louis February 24 and hosts Lindenwood University for Senior Day February 26.
USI Men's Basketball vs. Maryville, Missouri S&T Quick Notes:
USI splits road swing. USI went to 9-2 on the road this year after posting a split on the road last week. The Eagles defeated Drury University, 81-63, behind the 26 points and 13 rebounds by junior forward
Jacob Polakovich, but lost to Southwest Baptist University, 82-71, despite a season-high 20 points from freshman guard
Isaiah Stafford.
At home vs. the road USI is 5-4 at home this season, 9-2 on the road. The Eagles also are averaging 70.9 points per game at home, compared to 76.0 points per outing on the road.
Doing the job on defense. The Eagles are holding the opposition under 70 points per game for the season for the first time since 2012-13 (65.4). USI also is averaging 28.2 defensive rebounds per game this season.
Leading Scorer: Junior guard
Jelani Simmons leads the way in scoring this season with 13.3 points per game. He is followed closely by junior forward
Jacob Polakovich, who is posting a double-double with 12.4 points and 10.5 rebounds. Sophomore guard
Tyler Henry rounds out the double-digit scorers with 11.4 points per contest.
Simmons has the hot hand. Junior guard
Jelani Simmons is averaging 15.6 points per game over the last nine outings. Simmons has posted 15 or more points in seven of the last nine games.
Polakovich doubling up to lead the Eagles. Junior forward
Jacob Polakovich is averaging a double-double 12.4 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in 2021-22. Polakovich is the GLVC leader and ranked 11th nationally in rebounding.
Stafford as a starter. Freshman guard
Isaiah Stafford has averaged 12.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game since entering the starting lineup. On the season, Stafford, who had a season-high 20 points in the loss to Southwest Baptist, is averaging 7.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per contest.
USI vs. Maryville. USI holds a 12-2 series lead over Maryville, 9-1 in GLVC regular season play. The Eagles have won the last three matchups, including a 72-61 road win in 2019-20. USI and Maryville did not meet in 2020-21 due to COVID.
Maryville in 2021-22. The Maryville Saints are 10-13, 4-11 in the GLVC, after falling to Truman State University, 68-64, at home Monday in St. Louis, Missouri. With Monday's loss, the Saints have lost eight of their last nine contests.
USI vs. Missouri S&T. The Eagles also hold an 18-3 series lead over the Miners of Missouri Science & Technology. USI, which has won the last seven with the Miners, did not play Missouri S&T during 2020-21 due to COVID. The last match-up in 2019-20 went to the Eagles, 89-66, in Rolla, Missouri.
Missouri S&T in 2021-22. Missouri S&T watched its record go to 10-13 overall, 6-10 GLVC, after losing at Lindenwood University, 101-66, Monday on the road. The Miners have lost four of the last five prior to their game Thursday at the University of Indianapolis.
