Journal Star sports reporter
PEORIA — Picked to finish ninth in the Missouri Valley Conference this season following the defections of five players last spring, Southern Illinois came into this campaign with much to prove.
Not even coach Barry Hinson could have predicted what the Salukis have done in their first 15 games.
SIU is 13-2 overall, 2-0 in the MVC and 5-0 on the road. The Salukis won at Loyola and beat Northern Iowa at home to start the Valley season.
“I don’t think anybody saw this coming,” said Hinson, whose squad plays Wednesday night against 2-13 Bradley at Carver Arena.