ISU86
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The Redbirds complete the regular season at CEFCU Arena as they return to take on the Purple Aces.
UE is in twelfth place in conference at 1-18 (5-25 overall) whereas ISU is tied for ninth place in conference at 5-14 (10-20 overall).
The Aces are led in scoring by Kenny Strawbridge (14.5), rebounding by Yacine Toumi (5.9) and assists by Marvin Coleman (2.8), Coleman (11.0) and Toumi (10.7) also average double-digits; the "Teachers" are led in scoring and assists by Darius Burford (12.8, 2.4) and rebounding by Kendall Lewis (7.1), Seneca Knight (11.7) and Lewis (10.6) also average in double-digits. The Aces generally go nine and the 'birds go eleven deep on any given night.
According to NET Ranking, Evansville's (346) toughest opponent was Drake (61, loss), their best win was against Northern Iowa (217) and their worst losses were to Illinois-Chicago (279, two); Illinois State's (276) toughest opponent was Drake (61, loss), their best win was against Southern Illinois (116) and their worst loss was to Illinois-Chicago (279).
At this point in the season, there are more common opponents than not (both teams lost to Ball State in their non-conference); as far as weaknesses, the Redbirds are only trailing in steals and turnovers.
ISU won the first match-up at the Ford Center, 69-61.
Both teams are headed in similar directions, as Evansville is currently on a four-game and Illinois State on a six-game losing streak.
With all of the discussion on the board re: first-year progress, we are meeting up with another program in that same spot re: the Aces. If you compare non-conference schedules, both took a similar approach (the only non-conference program of note that the Aces scheduled was Central Florida) and, at least by record, they are scuffling even more. If there is another win left in this season, Sunday would be the day.
It will also be Senior Day, when (if I am accurate) up to nine players are in a position that they could participate (Alex Kotov, Joe Petrakis, Knight, Colton Sandage, Lewis, Ryan Schmitt, Liam McChesney, Malcolm Miller, Harouna Sissoko); not all will, but it is interesting. Hopefully, the festivities of the day will work to our advantage (much like it did for the Bulldogs on Wednesday evening).
With a win (and a Valparaiso loss at Murray State), ISU would finish in sole position of ninth place and match-up with UNI in St. Louis on Thursday at noon; otherwise, they are locked into tenth place and would face one of Missouri State, MuSU or UNI on Thursday at 6:00 PM.
As long as we are not sloppy with the basketball, we should be in good shape; if not, the door would be open to ruin the postgame activities.
at Reggie 74, Purple 66
Bruiser 72, at TC 71
Grey 68, at Sparky 65
at Sam 72, Boomer 64
at Dunker 73, Beacon 69
at Kaboom! 70, Spike 67
UE is in twelfth place in conference at 1-18 (5-25 overall) whereas ISU is tied for ninth place in conference at 5-14 (10-20 overall).
The Aces are led in scoring by Kenny Strawbridge (14.5), rebounding by Yacine Toumi (5.9) and assists by Marvin Coleman (2.8), Coleman (11.0) and Toumi (10.7) also average double-digits; the "Teachers" are led in scoring and assists by Darius Burford (12.8, 2.4) and rebounding by Kendall Lewis (7.1), Seneca Knight (11.7) and Lewis (10.6) also average in double-digits. The Aces generally go nine and the 'birds go eleven deep on any given night.
According to NET Ranking, Evansville's (346) toughest opponent was Drake (61, loss), their best win was against Northern Iowa (217) and their worst losses were to Illinois-Chicago (279, two); Illinois State's (276) toughest opponent was Drake (61, loss), their best win was against Southern Illinois (116) and their worst loss was to Illinois-Chicago (279).
At this point in the season, there are more common opponents than not (both teams lost to Ball State in their non-conference); as far as weaknesses, the Redbirds are only trailing in steals and turnovers.
ISU won the first match-up at the Ford Center, 69-61.
Both teams are headed in similar directions, as Evansville is currently on a four-game and Illinois State on a six-game losing streak.
With all of the discussion on the board re: first-year progress, we are meeting up with another program in that same spot re: the Aces. If you compare non-conference schedules, both took a similar approach (the only non-conference program of note that the Aces scheduled was Central Florida) and, at least by record, they are scuffling even more. If there is another win left in this season, Sunday would be the day.
It will also be Senior Day, when (if I am accurate) up to nine players are in a position that they could participate (Alex Kotov, Joe Petrakis, Knight, Colton Sandage, Lewis, Ryan Schmitt, Liam McChesney, Malcolm Miller, Harouna Sissoko); not all will, but it is interesting. Hopefully, the festivities of the day will work to our advantage (much like it did for the Bulldogs on Wednesday evening).
With a win (and a Valparaiso loss at Murray State), ISU would finish in sole position of ninth place and match-up with UNI in St. Louis on Thursday at noon; otherwise, they are locked into tenth place and would face one of Missouri State, MuSU or UNI on Thursday at 6:00 PM.
As long as we are not sloppy with the basketball, we should be in good shape; if not, the door would be open to ruin the postgame activities.
at Reggie 74, Purple 66
Bruiser 72, at TC 71
Grey 68, at Sparky 65
at Sam 72, Boomer 64
at Dunker 73, Beacon 69
at Kaboom! 70, Spike 67
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