Exhibition #1
Lindenwood (0-0, 0-0 OVC)
@ Southern Illinois (0-0, 0-0 MVC) 
Game Information:
Date: October 20, 2026
Location: Carbondale, Ill.
Venue: Banterra Center
Tip-off: 6 PM CT
All-Time Series: N/A
Last Meeting: L, 76-86
Live Stats: Lindenwood @ Southern Illinois

The Lindenwood Men's Basketball team returns to the floor for the first time since March when they travel to Carbondale, Illinois, on Tuesday night for an exhibition matchup against Southern Illinois. The 2026-27 roster features five freshmen and nine transfers, with Xavier Spencer and Marsai Mason among the key additions to the revamped squad.

Spencer joins Lindenwood from UMass Lowell, where he started in all 33 appearances for the River Hawks last season. The 6'1 guard averaged 11.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game while recording 96 assists, 41 steals, and nine blocks. The Canadian native also shot 34.9% (51-for-146) from three-point range in 2025-26 and earned America East All-Conference Third Team honors.

Meanwhile, Mason arrives at Lindenwood from Arizona Western College following a season in which he was named a NJCAA Second Team All-American. The Phoenix, Arizona, native averaged a team-high 16.7 points per game and recorded 1.6 blocks per contest. Mason scored a career-high 38 points against Central Arizona College on Jan. 28, 2026,  knocking down a season-high 20 free throws while shooting 50% (8-for-16) from the field. He scored in double figures in 23 of his 29 games as a sophomore.

The Lions also bring in the no.3 ranked high school prospect out of Arkansas in Kellen Robinson, in addition to Junior guard Shamiere Green, who played two seasons at Lee College and has scored in double figures in 45 out of 60 career games played in his collegiate career. 

Scouting The Salukis

• SIU went 16-16 last season including 10-10 in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Saluki's fell in the first round of the MVC Tournament to Drake by a score of 67-63. 
• The Salukis return six players from last season, with Sophomore guard Jalen Haynes leading the group of returners. Haynes averaged 7.9 points last season while playing over 20 minutes per contest, appearing in 32 and starting seven.
• SIU also brings in four transfers, with all four averaging 15 or more points per game at the Junior College and Division II levels. 

Up Next
Lindenwood will travel to Fort Worth, Texas to take on TCU for their season opener on Monday, November 2 at 7 p.m. CT. The contest will be streamed on ESPN+.