CARBONDALE (WSIL) -- The Banterra Center will play host to a rivalry game between 3-1 Murray State and 2-0 SIU, but it'll feel a little weird without fans.
Friday's matchup is referred to as the Charles Helleny Tip-Off Classic, named after the Herrin native and SIU alum who passed away last august.
For SIU this is certainly a non conference matchup you'd like the fans involved, but instead they'll rely on their depth to give them a boost.
Marcus Domask and Ben Harvey were the Missouri Valley player and newcomer of the week respectively.
Bryan Mullins told us early this week they are a young team but very young and take to coaching.
Murray State is coming off a 30 point win over cinference rival Austin Peay.
Racers, like the Salukis are deep too.
Tevin Brown is the leader of this team and inside KJ Williams has shown early on he can be a handful down low.
Bryan Mullins was able to watch film on Murray State, here's his take on the Racers.
"I think their defense took it up a notch, their pressure, their intensity," SIU Men's HeadBasketball Coach Bryan Mullins said. "I thought it was a complete game for Murray offensively and defensively. That is the tyoe of team they are. We definitely know that and understand that. Our guys have to be ready at the start at 6:30. We can't afford to start at 6:45. Can't afford to start at 7. We have to be ready from the start. We are going to be us. We're not going to change our identity offensively or defensively. We are going to play the same way and hopefully the stuff we've done over the last 4-5 months with skill development and the things we've taught our guys on both sides of the ball will pay off, you know Murray State presents challenges because of their lane size and athleticism but I think we can do some things to be successful as well against them."
