This year’s Homecoming game, Jan. 31, provides a more multi-dimensional storyline. The men’s basketball game against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville marks the return of Jack Campion, senior guard of the SIUE Cougars. Campion played for three years at USI, before transferring to SIUE this season. 

His role on the USI team and skills gradually increased from his freshman year during his journey as a USI basketball player. Campion’s minutes per game increased from 12.4 to 24.9 from his freshman to sophomore season, as did his player efficiency rating, which grew from 9.4 to 11.1.

In his junior season, he was poised to be the starting point guard of the Screaming Eagles for future games, and it appeared that way in the non-conference games last season, where he had strong performances. He dished out more than five assists in six games and had a game score above 10 in half of them. (Game score is a stat which measures a player’s efficiency, and overall production for a game, through a measure of statistics.) While 10 is around average for the stat, his added effort, and scrappiness on the court, made him a considerable choice for starting point guard for the rest of season.

However, for Campion, his role on the team fluctuated once conference play rolled around. From the months of January to February, a crucial time in the season, his minutes ranged from anywhere between eight to 41. Campion’s run of form took a dip into the new year, as his game score did not eclipse a rating of 10 until Feb. 2. Additionally, the Screaming Eagles lost a handful of games in a row, where a better performance by Campion might have swung any one of those matchups. As such, Head Coach Stan Gouard took him out of the starting lineup, but still played him around 15.4 minutes per game, in hopes of sparking a change of play. 

Coach Gouard did put him back in the lineup after Feb.  8, 2025, in hopes to use Campion’s energy and ability to spark a late run at a chance for the Ohio Valley Conference tournament. This decision ultimately did not change the team’s trajectory, as the team lost six of its last seven games to close the season.

Following the end of the season, Campion entered the transfer portal. While this is not a guarantee that a player will depart, it is a near certainty, as the team has to quickly re-tool with the assumption that the player will depart. Campion made his final decision official, with a post on X, stating that he committed to the SIUE Men’s Basketball team  on April 29, 2025. 

This season, as of Jan. 14, Campion has posted his best season so far, starting all 17 games, averaging 5.3 points per game, 4.8 assists per game and 1.5 steals per game, on 25.4 minutes per game, all career highs. The SIUE Cougars have had a solid season so far, holding an overall record of 11-8. However, in conference play, they have been a bit stagnant early on, with a record of 4-4 as of Jan. 18. 

The USI Men’s Basketball team has struggled to find consistency, as they have not won back to back games all season, and have one conference win all season, against Tennessee Tech University. While they are still in play for a conference tournament chance, but that depreciates with every loss. A win against SIUE would keep the team afloat for the time being. 

As for the matchup against SIUE on Homecoming, the Screaming Eagles lost their previous matchup against the Cougars Jan. 1 in Edwardville, IL by a score of 55-59. While Southern Indiana never held a lead in that game, they were within striking distance for much of the game, which does show promise for a close game on Homecoming Night. 

The coaches for both the USI and SIUE men’s basketball teams will say it’s a game that is just as valuable as any other game. Students of both universities and fans believe that this is not the case. Does Campion want to prove that he should’ve had a more consistent role on the team? Most likely. Do the Screaming Eagles want to beat SIUE in order to get a much-needed conference win and a momentum booster? Without question. One thing is for certain, there will be energy and emotions expended at Liberty Arena on Saturday night. This one has the makings to be an incredibly compelling matchup.