By WJBC Staff
NORMAL – In preparing to defend its Missouri Valley Conference title, the Illinois State men’s basketball team will play games against at least six 2017 Division I postseason qualifiers – including three NCAA Tournament teams – and five opponents who won 20 or more games last season as part of the Redbirds’ 2017-18 nonconference schedule, sixth-year head coach Dan Muller announced Wednesday.
Start times have not yet been determined.
“Another year, another extremely challenging nonconference schedule for our program that I’m really excited about,” Muller said. “With so many new faces, this schedule is really going to challenge us. We will learn a lot from these tough road games, the tournament in Puerto Rico and the quality home games. I’m excited to see how we handle it and even more excited to see how we grow from it. Now, let’s fill Redbird Arena this season.”
The Redbirds will play five regular-season nonconference games on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena, beginning with a Nov. 22 home game versus Quincy and concluding with a home date against UIC Dec. 19. Following a home exhibition game versus Lewis Nov. 5, Illinois State will start the 2017-18 season Nov. 11 in Fort Myers, Florida at 2017 NCAA Tournament qualifier Florida Gulf Coast.
The Redbirds will next play three games in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, beginning with a Nov. 16 matchup versus 2017 NCAA Final Four team South Carolina. ISU will then face either National Invitation Tournament (NIT) qualifier Boise State or UTEP Nov. 17. The tournament championship, third-place, fifth-place and seventh-place games will take place Nov. 19.
After tipping off the home schedule Nov. 22, Illinois State will remain at home to face Charleston Southern Nov. 25 before traveling to 2017 NCAA Tournament qualifier Nevada Nov. 29 for the Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge Series. ISU will begin December by hosting Tulsa Dec. 2. The Redbirds will then travel to 2017 NIT qualifier BYU Dec. 6 and return home Dec. 9 to host Murray State.
Illinois State’s final nonconference road game is scheduled for Dec. 16 at 2017 NIT qualifier Ole Miss. The Redbirds will conclude nonconference play Dec. 19 versus 2017 College Basketball Invitational (CBI) qualifier and in-state foe UIC.
After winning a share of the 2016-17 Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship, Illinois State returns one starter from last season – Phil Fayne – who averaged 9.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. The Redbirds return five letterwinners, including Keyshawn Evans, who played in all 35 games and averaged 5.8 points and 2.0 assists per contest.
The Redbirds aim to build off of last year’s record-breaking season which saw ISU set program marks for total victories (28), regular-season wins (25) and MVC triumphs (17). Illinois State earned an at-large bid to the 2017 NIT where the Redbirds advanced to the second round.
To renew or purchase men’s basketball season tickets, fans are encouraged to contact the Illinois State Athletics Ticket Office either online by navigating to GoRedbirds.com/Tickets, in-person by entering through the north doors to Redbird Arena, or over the phone by calling (309) 438-8000.
Below is a detailed look at each 2017-18 nonconference opponent:
Sunday, November 5 • Lewis • Exhibition
Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena
2016-17 Overall Record: 19-3
2016-17 GLVC East Record (Finish): 11-7 (5th)
2016-17 Postseason: None
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 8/4
ISU Record Against: 16-4
Last Meeting: Dec. 19, 2006 (W, 85-66 at Illinois State)
Notable: Lewis returns four starters, including last season’s second-leading scorer and rebounder – Delaney Blaylock – who averaged 14.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Blaylock was named to the All-GLVC Second Team and the GLVC All-Tournament Team.
Saturday, November 11 • at Florida Gulf Coast
Alico Arena • Fort Myers, Florida
2016-17 Overall Record: 26-8
2016-17 ASUN Conference Record (Finish): 12-2 (1st)
2016-17 Postseason: NCAA Tournament (0-1)
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/6
ISU Record Against: 0-0
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Notable: Florida Gulf Coast earned an automatic bid to the 2017 NCAA Tournament after winning the ASUN Tournament. The Eagles also won the 2016-17 ASUN regular-season title. FGCU returns three starters, including its leading scorer – Brandon Goodwin – who averaged 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game last season. Goodwin was named ASUN Newcomer of the Year and ASUN Tournament MVP. FGCU has made two-straight NCAA Tournament appearances and three in the past five years.
November 16, 17, 19 • at Puerto Rico Tip-Off
Coliseo Municipal Tomás Dones • Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Opponent Field (View Bracket):
First-Round Opponent: South Carolina – 26-11 (12-8 SEC): Earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament; Advanced to the Final Four.
Potential Second-Round Opponent: Boise State – 20-12 (12-6): Earned an at-large bid to the NIT; Advanced to the NIT second round.
Potential Second-Round Opponent: UTEP – 15-17 (12-6): Lost in the Conference USA Tournament semifinals.
Appalachian State – 9-21 (4-14): Lost in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament first round.
Iowa State – 24-11 (12-6 Big 12): Advanced to the NCAA Tournament second round after winning the Big 12 Tournament.
Tulsa – 15-17 (8-10): Lost in the American Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals.
Western Michigan – 16-16 (11-7): Lost in the Mid-American Conference Tournament quarterfinals.
Wednesday, November 22 • Quincy
Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena
2016-17 Overall Record: 25-7
2016-17 GLVC West Record (Finish): 14-4 (1st)
2016-17 Postseason: NCAA Tournament (1-1)
Starters Returning/Lost: 0/5
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 4/7
ISU Record Against: 10-6
Last Meeting: Nov. 27, 2015 (W, 73-63 at Illinois State)
Notable: Quincy earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament and advanced to the second round after winning the Great Lakes Valley Conference West Division. After matching their second-highest win total in program history, all five starters graduated and two signed contracts to play professionally in Europe.
Saturday, November 25 • Charleston Southern
Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena
2016-17 Overall Record: 12-19
2016-17 Big South Conference Record (Finish): 7-11 (T7th)
2016-17 Postseason: None
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 6/5
ISU Record Against: 0-0
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Notable: Charleston Southern returns three starters, including last season’s leading scorer and rebounder – Christian Keeling – who averaged 17.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. Last season’s runner-up for Big South Freshman of the Year honors, Keeling set the CSU freshman scoring record and was named Big South Freshman of the Week seven times. Also returning for the Bucs are seniors Javis Howard and Cortez Mitchell, each of whom ranked among the team’s top four scorers.
Wednesday, November 29 • at Nevada • MW/MVC Challenge
Lawlor Events Center • Reno, Nevada
2016-17 Overall Record: 26-7
2016-17 Mountain West Conference Record (Finish): 14-4 (1st)
2016-17 Postseason: NCAA Tournament (0-1)
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 3/5
ISU Record Against: 0-0
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Notable: Nevada earned an automatic bid to the 2017 NCAA Tournament after winning the Mountain West Conference Tournament. The Wolf Pack also won the 2016-17 MW regular-season title. Nevada returns two starters, including its leading rebounder and third-leading scorer from last season – Jordan Caroline – who averaged 15.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game last season. Caroline was named MW Tournament MVP.
Saturday, December 2 • Tulsa
Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena
2016-17 Overall Record: 15-17
2016-17 AAC Record (Finish): 8-10 (7th)
2016-17 Postseason: None
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/5
ISU Record Against: 15-17
Last Meeting: Dec. 25, 2016 (W, 68-56 at Diamond Head Classic)
Notable: Tulsa returns four starters, including last season’s leading scorer and rebounder – Junior Etou – who averaged 12.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Including Etou, Tulsa’s top four scorers from last season are returning for the 2017-18 campaign. Illinois State and Tulsa played twice last season, with the Golden Hurricane winning in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the Redbirds winning at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu.
Wednesday, December 6 • at BYU
Marriott Center • Provo, Utah
2016-17 Overall Record: 22-12
2016-17 West Coast Conference Record (Finish): 12-6 (3rd)
2016-17 Postseason: NIT (0-1)
Starters Returning/Lost: 4*/2
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10*/9
*Four of BYU’s returning letterwinners played as freshmen before serving missions and did not play in 2016-17.
ISU Record Against: 0-0
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Notable: BYU earned an at-large bid to the 2017 National Invitation Tournament after earning third in the West Coast Conference and bowing out in the WCC Tournament semifinals. The Cougars return four starters, including its second-leading scorer – TJ Haws – who averaged 13.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game last season. Haws was named to the All-WCC First Team and the All-WCC Freshman Team.
Saturday, December 9 • Murray State
Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena
2016-17 Overall Record: 16-17
2016-17 Ohio Valley Conference Record (Finish): 8-8 (T6th Overall/3rd West)
2016-17 Postseason: None
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 6/5
ISU Record Against: 2-2
Last Meeting: Nov. 11, 2016 (L, 73-70 at Murray State)
Notable: Murray State’s 2016-17 season ended in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament semifinals. The Racers return three starters, including Jonathan Stark who averaged a league-high 21.9 points per game plus 3.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.3 steals. In last season’s Illinois State at Murray State game, Stark made a 3-pointer with two seconds remaining to break a tie and lift MSU to victory.
Saturday, December 16 • at Ole Miss
The Pavilion at Ole Miss • Oxford, Mississippi
2016-17 Overall Record: 22-14
2016-17 SEC Record (Finish): 10-8 (T5th)
2016-17 Postseason: NIT (2-1)
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7/5
ISU Record Against: 3-0
Last Meeting: March 14, 2012 (W, 96-93 (OT) at Ole Miss in National Invitation Tournament First Round)
Notable: Ole Miss earned an at-large bid to the 2017 National Invitation Tournament where the Rebels advanced to the NIT quarterfinals after earning fifth in the SEC and bowing out in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals. Ole Miss returns four starters, including its third-leading scorer from last year – Terence Davis – who averaged 14.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, a team-high 1.4 steals plus 1.8 assists last season. Ole Miss joins Kentucky as the only two schools to go .500 or better in SEC play in each of the past six seasons.
Tuesday, December 19 • UIC
Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena
2016-17 Overall Record: 17-19
2016-17 Horizon League Record (Finish): 14-17 (6th)
2016-17 Postseason: CBI (2-1)
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7/3
ISU Record Against: 15-7
Last Meeting: Dec. 16, 2015 (W, 72-60 at UIC)
Notable: UIC earned a bid to the 2017 College Basketball Invitational after advancing to the Horizon League Tournament semifinals. The Flames return four starters, including last season’s Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year – Tai Odiase – who averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game. UIC also features 2016 Horizon League Freshman of the Year – Dikembe Dixson – who averaged a team-high 20.3 points plus 6.0 rebounds through UIC’s first 10 games last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
