Illinois State basketball declines postseason invitations

Posted on March 14, 2016

By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL – Illinois State men’s basketball coach Dan Muller has announced the Redbirds will not participate in a postseason tournament this year.

PODCAST: Listen to WJBC’s interview with Muller here.

“After talking with (Director of Athletics) Larry Lyons and (President) Larry Dietz, we have decided it is best for our program to decline all postseason invitations,” Muller said. “While I am disappointed that I am not going to coach the 2015-16 team again, I am proud of a lot of things we did.”

Facing one of the toughest non-conference schedules in program history – ranked No. 8 in the nation according to the March 14 Collegiate Basketball News Report – the Redbirds finished the 2015-16 season with an 18-14 record. ISU tied for second place in the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season standings after going 12-6 in league play and earning a win over all nine MVC opponents at least once for the first time since 1994-95.

Muller credited seniors DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell, Quintin Brewer and Justin McCloud for playing a vital role in ISU’s accomplishments throughout the season.

“It has been a pleasure to coach our three seniors, and I am looking forward to working hard with our returners in the offseason as we prepare for next year,” Muller said.

The Redbirds begin preparations for the 2015-16 campaign having defeated a Top-25 team in each of the past five years, while earning 18 or more wins in five-straight seasons.

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