SIU gets a new look Redbirds team for the first time this season.
Illinois State's best win this year came in their last game at home against Missouri State. They also have a decent home win against SIUe. They do have bad losses to Western Illinois, Northwestern State, and UIC.
Meet the Redbirds:
The Redbirds hired Ohio State assistant Ryan Pedon over the offseason. Pedon worked at Illinois under John Groce for a few years before joining Chris Holtmann's staff at Butler and followed him to Ohio State.
Illinois State has made strides on the defensive end. They're 106th in the country in 3 point % against (32.0%), 132nd in the country in effective field goal % against (49.0%), and 101st in the country in block % (10.5%). On the offensive end, the Redbirds are 6th in the country in free throw % (80.9%).
The Redbirds aren't a horrible shooting team but they're pretty careless with the ball as they're 329th in the country in turnover % (21.9%).
Illinois State's leading scorer and rebounder is 6'8 Senior Kendall Lewis averaging 11.2 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game. Lewis was a 3 star recruit out of Snellville, GA and chose Appalachian State over offers from Kent State, St. Bonaventure, and TCU. After 2 years at App State Lewis transferred to Illinois State where he started 33 of 33 games last season. This season Lewis is 152nd in the country in steal % (3.4%), 320th in the country in block % (3.4%), and 224th in the country in offensive rebounding % (10.2%). Lewis also is good at getting to the free throw line as he's 108th in the country in free throw rate (53.7%) and 393rd in the country in free throw % (78.5%).
One of the Redbirds' big transfers this offseason is 6'7 Senior Seneca Knight. Knight spent his first 3 seasons at San Jose State before transferring to LSU, where he never played a game, and then to BYU. This season, Knight is 472nd in the country in true shooting % (56.2%) and 242nd in the country in defensive rebounding % (20.3%). Knight is 186th in the country in free throw rate (47.1%) and 394th in the country in free throw % (78.5%).
One of the bigs SIU will have to deal with in this game is 6'10 Junior Liam McChesney. McChesney was a 3 star recruit out of Canada and spent his first two seasons at Utah State before transferring to Illinois State before last season. McChesney is currently 51st in the country in block % (8.1%) and 259th in the country in 2 point % (60.0%, 36-60). He's also a 44.8% shooter from 3 (13-29).
The Redbirds have two players that can really hurt you from 3. 6'2 Junior Malachi Poindexter joined Virginia as a walk-on and spent two years there before transferring to Illinois State this year. Poindexter is 212nd in the country in 3 point % (41.2%, 28-68). 6'5 Junior Luke Kasubke was a 3 star recruit out of St. Louis and chose Kansas State over offers from Loyola Chicago, Saint Louis, Creighton, and Illinois. This season, Kasubke is 165th in the country in 3 point % (42.6%, 23-54).
Links:
Hope we learned a lesson at Sycs. Watson said at half we should get physical, don't settle for threes, drive the ball right at them, get to the line. That's exactly what we did and had 21 FTs 2nd half and made 19. That was the difference in the game. Also got physical on D. Domask shot poorly but had 6 - 7 FTs (and continued his excellent rebounding). XJ made 10 for 10 FTs. Wow! Played great and aggressive 2nd half. Lance made a few threes and some incredible layups.
Let's do that from the gun and flush the Redturds. Nobody I'd rather pound!
Datascriv SNAFU front and center.
https://wtop.com/sports/2023/01/knight-and-illinois-state-host-southern-illinois/
History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.
-Karl Marx
Home game. Mojo and confidence builder after our last victory. Overdue for some 3s to fall. Every game important so I hope the boys get off the snide and go in at half-time with the lead cuz we know what we do in the 2nd half. Would like to see some Scottie, Foster, A.J. and Cade. Go Dawgs!
ISU has talent, period, and any game in the MVC has the chance to be a close one. That being said, I expect a double digit win and HOPE that the key starters can get some rest. I think Banks has EARNED a good chuck of PT. I think that we're going to see more of Ebube to get him into game shape. I also think that this or the Evansville game is where you'll see Wonders get his season high (to date).
The Salukis will get off to a bad start, they’ll go into the half either with a small lead or down, everyone will complain, Salukis will come out of halftime and give up 15 points or less and get a win, everyone will be happy
The Salukis will get off to a bad start, they’ll go into the half either with a small lead or down, everyone will complain, Salukis will come out of halftime and give up 15 points or less and get a win, everyone will be happy
“True terror is waking up one morning and discovering your high school class is running the country.” —Kurt Vonnegut
@insaluki I would love to see Domask and Jones getting less than 30 minutes a game and not be gassed coming to the end of conference play.
(Inflammatory political snark)
Rodney Watson radio interview with Riley Hoistad:
Last time we came off a huge win at Oklahoma State we laid an egg at Southern Indiana; hopefully the guys are focused in tomorrow. I expect a double-digit victory, and hoping we can get some PT to Foster, Scottie, Cade and even AJ.
Message to Saluki Players: I know it's Friday night but do not go out and party!!!!!!
Party After you kick some Redturd ass tomorrow night!!!
from this date forward, every time we play the redbirds, the rallying cry must be "win one for the bobber!"
Then "Win one for the Bobber!"
