Salukis coach appreciates nostalgia of returning to Wichita for a WSU-SIU rivalry game

More than four decades of shared history link the Wichita State and Southern Illinois men’s basketball programs, but the once-simmering Missouri Valley rivalry has fizzled out since the Shockers left the conference in 2017.

Gregg Marshall and Barry Hinson no longer roam the sidelines, but the Shockers and Salukis will rekindle their rivalry for the first time in six years at 6 p.m. Saturday at Koch Arena.

The only person on either side who has experienced the intensity and passion of the Valley days is Southern Illinois head coach Bryan Mullins, a Hall of Fame player for the Salukis who compiled an impressive 7-1 record against WSU during his career from 2005-09.

“When I was playing, Wichita State was right up there with us and Creighton and the Valley had an unbelievable run there,” Mullins told The Eagle. “It’s exciting to be able to renew this game and come back to Koch Arena, just because of the tradition and the fan base and community of Wichita State and how much they care about basketball. I know how tough it is to win there. It’s a great opportunity, but a big challenge and our guys are aware of that.”

Bringing the Salukis back to the Roundhouse was the result of happenstance.

WSU head coach Paul Mills said his staff prioritizes regional opponents when looking to fill out a nonconference schedule. In this specific case, WSU needed an opponent on a certain date and it just so happened SIU was available and also looking for a game. WSU is cutting SIU a $75,000 check to come to Koch Arena, according to a contract obtained by The Eagle.

“The timing worked out and the scheduling worked out for both parties,” Mills said. “It was a name when we went through the process, we knew fans would be familiar with. We knew the Missouri Valley ties and obviously they’re really good, so it should make for a great game.”

SIU (6-3) is ranked No. 115 nationally on KenPom, which is the highest ranking by advanced metrics for the program since Mullins was playing for coach Chris Lowery.

The Salukis also feature the leading scorer in college basketball in 6-foot-1 guard Xavier Johnson, who is averaging 25 points and 5.3 assists per game. He scored a career-high 38 points earlier this season and is coming off three straight 30-point games where he has tallied 94 combined points against the likes of Saint Louis, Oklahoma State and Austin Peay.

It’s been quite the eruption from Johnson, who never averaged more than 7.7 points per game in his first four seasons.

“We’ve got to do our best to try to contain him because he’s really good and he can shoot 3s and get to the rim,” Mills said. “We’re going to have to be good on our first level (of pick-and-roll defense), our second level and then our third level because of his ability to pass and their ability to shoot. We’ll try to throw a different number of guys at him and we’ll try to be physical with him.”

Both teams will be looking to scrub disappointing losses from their memory on Saturday night.

After taking down Oklahoma State, the Salukis lost to Austin Peay at home on Tuesday, while WSU has been stewing for a whole week following a 10-point loss to South Dakota State at Intrust Bank Arena.

Mills said WSU’s players have responded well since the loss, even going as far to say the first practice back on Monday was the best he has seen his team practice this season.

The team will also receive a boost in the arrival of 6-foot-6 junior forward Ronnie DeGray III, who will make his season debut following a court ruling that now allows two-time transfers to play this season.

“Winning is in the details. A lot of people play basketball, but not a lot of people play winning basketball,” Mills said. “Guys are understanding that better and I think you are way more receptive sometimes after a failure. When it doesn’t go your way, your antennas are a little bit more in tune, you’re a little more keenly aware about the details that are involved.”

For now, WSU and SIU are only slated to play a one-off game this season at Koch Arena. Could this become a regular fixture in nonconference play?

Both coaches say they are open to the idea, but it will depend on availability and needs.

If this is the only meeting, Mullins will be able to appreciate the nostalgia involved in returning to Wichita.

“I just remember it always being a great atmosphere,” Mullins said. “I remember walking out of the tunnel and then the students are right on top of you as soon as you walked out. It was one of the loudest, noisiest atmospheres that I played in as a student-athlete. It’s a great college basketball venue and we’re looking forward to going back there.”

Southern Illinois at Wichita State basketball preview

Records: SIU 6-3, WSU 7-3

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Koch Arena (10,506), Wichita

Streaming: ESPN+ (Shane Dennis and Bob Hull)

Radio: KEYN, 103.7-FM (Mike Kennedy and Dave Dahl)

KenPom says: WSU 72, SIU 69

Series history: SIU leads 48-47 (WSU leads 23-17 in Wichita)

Projected starting lineups

Wichita State Shockers (7-3)

Coach: Paul Mills, first season, 7-3

Southern Illinois (6-3)

Coach: Bryan Mullins, fifth season, 73-58