CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois will play in the second-annual SoCal Challenge men’s basketball Multi-Team Event, on Nov. 21 and 23 in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., the tournament organizer announced on Tuesday.
The Salukis will play two games in the “Surf Division” that features Minnesota, UNLV and California Baptist. First-round pairings will be announced at a later date, and all of the tournament games will be played at the Pavilion at JSerra.
“We’re excited to be part of a tremendous field in the SoCal Challenge,” said SIU head coach Bryan Mullins. “I look forward to seeing Saluki Nation out in the beautiful coast of Southern California, supporting our program the week of Thanksgiving.”
SIU has a recent history against two of its potential opponents. The Salukis are 1-2 all-time against Big Ten Minnesota, including an MTE win in Orlando in 2006, when Mullins was the team’s starting point guard.
The Salukis are 1-4 all-time versus the Mountain West Conference Rebels, including a loss at UNLV in 2016 as part of the Mountain West-MVC Challenge series. Southern has never played California Baptist. Members of the Western Athletic Conference, the Lancers have posted four-straight winning seasons since moving up to Division I.
Last year’s inaugural event was praised for its high energy, professional event management and beautiful location, according to the organizer’s press release.
“Teams and fans alike loved the first SoCal Challenge,” said Steve Barnes, founder and co-executive director of the SoCal Challenge. “We had a packed venue for both nights and are grateful that we were accepted by the college basketball media as if we’d been around forever, making sure we reached millions of people. This year’s lineup of teams will be just as competitive and exciting.”
National television clearances and tournament ticket packages will be announced at a later date.
