By Eric Stock
NORMAL – Milik Yarbrough let out an audible exhale when asked how the first practice went after the Redbirds’ 25-point loss Wednesday at Drake.
The junior forward said he understands why Illinois State coach Dan Muller was upset.
“I just feel like he things we didn’t compete at all, at the level that he knows we can compete and that he’s been it before,” Yarbrough said. “That’s what really made him mad, he’s seen us compete at a high level before.
“That why I think we took (Drake) lightly.”
Muller said he’s sure his team got the message after a lackluster loss to Drake.
“If this message didn’t get through, then we have some guys that aren’t very smart,” Muller said. “The way we played the other night was unacceptable, disappointing and not what we stand for and yet Drake was spectacular.”
Junior guard Keyshawn Evans said he expects the Birds will be better when they host Missouri Valley Conference favorite Missouri State on Sunday. Evans said they’ve rebounded from tough losses before.
“All the times we’ve bounced back we’ve had a couple days of tough practices and that helps get the mojo a little bit and gets you to focus a little bit more, not wanting to be in the spot where you were the game before,” Evans said.
Sunday’s game will be broadcast on 93.7 NASH ICON and www.937nashicon.com while the ISU women’s game will air on 1230 WJBC and www.wjbc.com.
Ex-Redbird suspended
Former Redbird hoopster Reggie Lynch has been suspended indefinitely by the University of Minnesota after a second woman accused him of assault. Media reports in Minneapolis say a woman accuses Lynch of assaulting her his him dorm room at Minnesota in April of 2016.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
