By Bryan Bloodworth
NORMAL – Illinois State’s basketball team pretty much controls its own destiny regarding the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
If the Redbirds avenge an earlier season loss to Southern Illinois in its final regular-season home game Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Redbird Arena, the Redbirds are guaranteed the No. 2 or 3 seed. A loss would pretty much assure them of the No. 4 or 5 seed.
The Redbirds could finish in a tie for second with Evansville, but would likely lose the tie-breaker based on the Aces’ higher RPI rating.
Should ISU finish with the No. 3 seed, the Redbirds would likely face either Loyola, Missouri State, Northern Iowa or Indiana State at 8:35 p.m. With the No. 4 or 5 p.m., the Redbirds would play one of those teams at 2:35 p.m. Both games are March 4.
The Redbirds, 17-12 overall, enter the game in a tie for second place with Evansville at 11-5. Southern Illinois, which defeated ISU, 81-78, in Carbondale, are a step behind in third place in the league with a 10-6 mark. The Salukis are 21-8 overall.
“It’s a huge game,” said ISU coach Dan Muller. “We kind of talked about that yesterday. We haven’t talked much about standings or what this game means or any game means to our team and we won’t. I know they know, but our focus has been on the task at hand and the opponent of course.”
ISU, winner of eight of its last 10 games, is looking to finish the regular season with a 13-3 home record and extend its home court winning streak to six.
It’s also Senior Night for ISU’s Devaughn Akoon-Purcell, Justin McCloud and Quentin Brewer. The trio will be honored in pregame ceremonies at 5:45 p.m. Fans are asked to be in their seats at 5:40 p.m.
“It’s emotional,” said Muller. “It’s supposed to be. It means a lot to the guys. They deserve the recognition. They deserve the honor. I’m looking forward to those three guys going out the right way.”
Bryan Bloodworth can be reached at [email protected]
