The jump shot is known as an artform in college basketball, but SIU Arena may look more like the host to a bricklayer’s convention than a museum tonight.

The SIUC men’s basketball team wraps up its pre-season action with an exhibition game against Athletes in Action at 7:05 p.m. But a history of poor shooting from both teams so far this season has made for a rocky start.

The Salukis have struggled from the field in their first two games this season, and the results have not been pretty. SIUC shot 33 percent in a 79-67 exhibition loss to NBC Thunder Nov. 10 and followed that effort up with a 36-percent effort in the regular-season opener 73-61 loss to the University of Miami Nov. 14.

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Athletes in Action has faced its share of highs and lows on the offensive end this season as well.

The traveling squad of former college and professional basketball players is divided into two men’s squads, USA Red and USA Blue. Both teams have played well this season, but the matchup will be an unknown one for SIUC coach Rich Herrin’s Salukis.

This is probably the toughest situation we’ve been in because they’re going to bring parts of both teams, Herrin said. It makes it very difficult for us to prepare for anything. It’s good to play them because they’re organized, and they’ve got a lot of talent.

Athletes in Action will be playing its 15th and final game of the season in the last 21 days at SIU Arena. AIA has several quality wins, including wins over the University of Michigan, Indiana University, St. John’s University and Temple University.

But AIA has several of its losses to blame on poor shooting. AIA’s Blue squad made just 23 of 68 field goal attempts (34 percent) in a 76-67 loss Nov. 4 to Missouri Valley Conference-member Southwest Missouri State University.

The squad followed that performance up by making just five of 29 field goals (18 percent) in the first half of a 105-78 loss Nov. 8 at the University of North Carolina, who is ranked in the top five nationally. The Tarheels took advantage of Blue’s poor shooting for a 50-6 run at the end of the first half before holding off a Blue rally in the second half.

While the matchup of poor-shooting squads puts both teams on even ground, Athletes in Action recently has had the Salukis’ number.

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Athletes in Action has won the last two matchups at SIU Arena, including a 93-69 win last season and a 97-83 victory in 1995. The Salukis played without starters Troy Hudson (academics) and Monte Jenkins (groin injury) in last season’s matchup, while SIUC shot only 34 percent from the field in the first half of 1995’s loss.

The Salukis also will be without Jenkins tonight, as the junior is sidelined with a back injury. Forward Derrick Tilmon’s status is questionable with a toe injury.

I think that (shooting) will be a strong point of ours one of these days, Herrin said. It may not be yet, but I think in time it will be a strong point and we’ll be all right. I think the big thing is to make sure we get the effort and play hard and get with it.

AIA’s secret weapon, guard C.J. Bruton, will be playing his final game with the team tonight before heading back to his homeland of Australia to play for the Brisbane Bullets in the Australian National Basketball League.

Bruton’s experience is not limited only to overseas play. Bruton starred at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa, in the past two seasons, averaging 12.6 points per game and 5.6 assists. Bruton signed a letter of intent with Iowa State University in the spring after leading Indian Hills to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I championship.

But Bruton was declared ineligible by the NCAA after it was discovered he was paid $9,400 to play in the Australian league in 1994. Bruton appealed the decision because two of his teammates on that Australian team were allowed to play in the NCAA, but his appeal was denied in July.

Bruton was drafted 53rd in the NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies, and his rights were traded to the Portland Trailblazers in June. He will join the Trailblazers after a stint in Australia this season.

It won’t be an easy ballgame by any means because we can’t prepare, Herrin said. We’ll be outmanned, but at least we’ll get a chance to get some guys some playing time.

SIUC battles Athletes in Action at 7:05 tonight in the Salukis’ final pre-season game.

The game will be Book Night and Poster Night. Saluki players will be available to sign autographs after the game for $1, and proceeds will go to fund Morris Library.