2016-17 Non-Conference Schedule | Buy Season Tickets
NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State men's basketball team will play games against at least five 2016 Division I postseason qualifiers – including three NCAA Tournament teams – and five opponents who won 20 or more games last season as part of the Redbirds' 2016-17 non-conference schedule, as announced by fifth-year head coach Dan Muller Tuesday. Start times have yet to be determined.
"I really like how our non-conference schedule shaped up for us this year with tough opponents and venues, different styles and a great opportunity in the Diamond Head Classic in Hawaii," Muller said. "As I say every year, I want to prepare our team for a tough conference slate, play in exciting venues and play quality opponents so our team can have a great chance at postseason play. I believe this schedule gives us all of those things. I look forward to seeing Redbird Arena rocking this 2016-17 season."
The Redbirds are slated to play six regular-season non-conference games on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena, beginning with a Nov. 16 home contest versus 2016 National Invitation Tournament (NIT) qualifier IPFW and concluding with a home date against 2016 NCAA Tournament team Saint Joseph's Dec. 18.
Following a home exhibition game versus NCAA Division II Quincy Nov. 6, Illinois State will tip off the 2016-17 season Nov. 11 in Murray, Kentucky, at Murray State. The Redbirds will then open their home schedule Nov. 16 against IPFW before traveling to Fort Worth, Texas, for a Nov. 21 matchup with Big 12 foe TCU.
Illinois State is slated to play five of its next six games on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena, beginning with a Nov. 27 contest versus Division II Ferris State. Next, the Redbirds will host IUPUI Nov. 30 followed by New Mexico Dec. 3 for the annual Mountain West/Missouri Valley Conference Challenge.
After three-straight home games, ISU is scheduled to travel west to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to play 2016 NCAA qualifier and former MVC foe Tulsa Dec. 7. The midweek matchup will mark the first meeting between the Redbirds and the Golden Hurricane since Tulsa left the MVC following the 1995-96 season.
The Redbirds will return home for their next two games, starting Dec. 10 against 2016 College Insider Tournament (CIT) qualifier UT Martin, followed by a Dec. 18 contest versus 2016 NCAA team Saint Joseph's.
Illinois State is slated to wrap up its non-conference schedule with three games at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic, Dec. 22, 23 and 25, in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Diamond Head Classic's eight-team field includes four NCAA Tournament qualifiers and one NIT team.
ISU will open tournament play against 2016 NCAA qualifier Hawai'i in a Dec. 22 nightcap, with tipoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. HT, which translates to 12:30 a.m. CT on Dec. 23. The Redbirds will then face either Utah or San Francisco on Dec. 23 in a championship bracket or consolation semifinal matchup. The Utes also played in the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
The 2016-17 Illinois State men's basketball team returns four of five starters and seven letterwinners from last year's team which finished 18-14 overall and tied for second place with a 12-6 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference, signifying ISU's highest league finish and most conference wins since 2007-08.
To renew or purchase season tickets, fans are encouraged to contact the Illinois State Athletics Ticket Office either online by navigating to GoRedbirds.com/Tickets, in-person by entering through the north doors to Redbird Arena, or over the phone by calling (309) 438-8000.
Below is a detailed look at each 2016-17 non-conference opponent.
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Sunday, November 6 • Quincy • Exhibition
Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena
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2015-16 Overall Record: 20-10
2015-16 GLVC Record (Finish): 12-6 (T2nd, West)
2015-16 Postseason: None
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
ISU Record Against: 10-6
Last Meeting: Nov. 27, 2015 (W, 73-63 at home)
Notable: Quincy returns its top scorer – Joseph Tagarelli (16.5 ppg) – and rebounder – Evan McGaughey (8.3 rpg) from last season. The Hawks finished the 2016-17 season with a 20-10 overall record, advancing to their 12th GLVC Tournament in 13 seasons under head coach Marty Bell. It was QU's first 20-win season since 2009-10 and its first appearance in the GLVC Tournament semifinal since 2008. The Hawks compete at the NCAA Division II level.
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Friday, November 11 • at Murray State
CFSB Center • Murray, Kentucky
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2015-16 Overall Record: 17-14
2015-16 OVC Record (Finish): 10-6 (T1st, West)
2015-16 Postseason: None
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
ISU Record Against: 1-2
Last Meeting: Dec. 13, 2015 (W, 63-61 at home)
Notable: Murray State advanced to the second round of the 2016 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. The Racers recorded their 29th-straight winning season in 2016-17, extending a streak which is tied with UConn for the fourth-longest nationally behind Syracuse (47), Kansas (33) and Arizona (32). MSU led the OVC in team defense (67.5 ppg allowed). MSU's top returner is senior guard Bryce Jones who ranked third in team scoring (12.7 ppg) last season.
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Wednesday, November 16 • IPFW
Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena
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2015-16 Overall Record: 24-10
2015-16 Summit League Record (Finish): 12-4 (T1st)
2015-16 Postseason: NIT
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
ISU Record Against: 2-0
Last Meeting: Dec. 22, 2014 (W, 68-43 at home)
Notable: IPFW earned a bid to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) after falling in the Summit League Tournament semifinals. The Mastodons then lost in the NIT first round at San Diego State, 79-55, March 15. Third-year head coach Jon Coffman was named Summit League Coach of the Year after guiding his team to a 24-10 record, signifying the second-most wins in school history. IPFW's top returners include senior guard Mo Evans who ranked second in team scoring (16.9 ppg) last season, and sophomore John Konchar who led the team in rebounding (9.2 rpg) and ranked third in scoring (13.0 rpg). For his efforts, Konchar was an All-Summit League First Team and All-Newcomer Team selection.
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Monday, November 21 • at TCU
Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena • Fort Worth, Texas
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2015-16 Overall Record: 12-21
2015-16 Big 12 Record (Finish): 2-16 (10th)
2015-16 Postseason: None
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
ISU Record Against: 0-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 25, 2015 (L, 71-60 at Cancun Challenge)
Notable: TCU advanced to the second round of the 2016 Big 12 Conference Tournament. Head coach and TCU men's basketball alum Jamie Dixon begins his first season with the Horned Frogs following a 13-year stint as head coach at Pitt. TCU's top returner is junior guard Malique Trent who ranked second in scoring (11.6 ppg) and led the team in assists (2.7 apg) and steals (2.1 spg). The Horned Frogs also return their top rebounder in senior forward Karviar Shepherd (5.2 rpg).
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Sunday, November 27 • Ferris State
Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena • Division II Opponent
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2015-16 Overall Record: 24-10
2015-16 GLAC Record (Finish): 13-9 (T5th)
2015-16 Postseason: NCAA Division II Tournament
Starters Returning/Lost: 1/4
ISU Record Against: 3-1
Last Meeting: February 3, 1968 (W, 112-76 at home)
Notable: Ferris State won the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLAC) Tournament championship for the second-straight year by beating Walsh, 76-59, March 6. The Bulldogs earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament where they went 2-1 by beating Bellarmine and Indianapolis before falling to Saginaw Valley State, 63-61, March 15 in the NCAA Midwest Regional Championship. The Bulldogs finished with their first back-to-back 20-win campaigns since the late 1980's.
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Wednesday, November 30 • IUPUI
Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena
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2015-16 Overall Record: 13-19
2015-16 Summit League Record (Finish): 9-7 (4th)
2015-16 Postseason: None
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
ISU Record Against: 1-0
Last Meeting: Dec. 23, 2000 (W, 82-63 at home)
Notable: Third-year head coach Jason Gardner has helped IUPUI steadily improve over the past two seasons. In 2014-15, IUPUI more than tripled its Division I win total of the previous season by posting 10 wins, and last year's team increased its win-total to 13 victories. The Jaguars fell in the first round of the 2016 Summit League Tournament. Included among their returners are last season's leading scorer and rebounder, respectively, in Darell Combs (16.3 ppg) and Matt O'Leary (6.0 rpg, 10.3 ppg).
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Saturday, December 3 • New Mexico
Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena • MW/MVC Challenge
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2015-16 Overall Record: 17-15
2015-16 Mountain West Record (Finish): 10-8 (T4th)
2015-16 Postseason: None
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
ISU Record Against: 0-0
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Notable: Returners Elijah Brown and Tim Williams were 2016 All-Mountain West selections and received National Association of Basketball Coaches First Team All-District 17 accolades last season. Brown, now a redshirt junior, was also named Mountain West Newcomer of the Year after leading New Mexico in scoring (21.7 ppg). Williams, now a redshirt senior, led the team in rebounding (7.4 rpg) and ranked second in scoring (16.8 ppg) in 2015-16. New Mexico fell in the first round of the Mountain West Tournament.
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Wednesday, December 7 • at Tulsa
Donald W. Reynolds Center • Tulsa, Oklahoma
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2015-16 Overall Record: 20-12
2015-16 American Athletic Record (Finish): 12-6 (T3rd)
2015-16 Postseason: NCAA Tournament
Starters Returning/Lost: 1/4
ISU Record Against: 14-16
Last Meeting: March 3, 1996 (L, 69-52 at MVC Tournament – St. Louis)
Notable: Tulsa earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after losing in the first round of the American Athletic Conference Tournament. The Golden Hurricane fell in the NCAA Tournament First Four to Michigan, 67-62, March 16. By recording a 20-12 overall record, Tulsa reached 20 wins for the 23rd time in program history and the third year in a row. The Golden Hurricane reached the postseason in each of its first two seasons under head coach Frank Haith. TU returns four players with Division I experience, including two who saw action last season, and welcomed nine newcomers to the roster for the 2016-17 season. A former league rival of Illinois State, Tulsa was a member of the Missouri Valley Conference from 1935 until 1996.
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Saturday, December 10 • UT Martin
Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena
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2015-16 Overall Record: 20-15
2015-16 OVC Record (Finish): 10-6 (T1st, West)
2015-16 Postseason: CIT
Starters Returning/Lost: 1/4
ISU Record Against: 4-0
Last Meeting: December 17, 2014 (W, 64-54 at home)
Notable: UT Martin advanced to the championship game of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament before falling to Austin Peay, 83-73, March 5. The Skyhawks accepted an invitation to the College Basketball Insider (CBI) Tournament and won at Central Michigan, 76-73, March 16, before falling at Ball State, 83-80, March 20. UT Martin earned 41 victories over the past two years, which are the most wins amassed during a two-year span in the program's Division I history. The Skyhawks' top-two returners include senior guard Jacolby Mobley who averaged 10.8 points per game last season and senior forward Kedar Edwards who led the team in rebounding (7.1 rpg).
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Sunday, December 18 • Saint Joseph's
Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena
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2015-16 Overall Record: 28-8
2015-16 Atlantic 10 Record (Finish): 13-5 (4th)
2015-16 Postseason: NCAA Tournament
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
ISU Record Against: 0-1
Last Meeting: December 19, 2015 (L, 79-65 at Saint Joseph's)
Notable: Saint Joseph's won the Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament titles and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by beating VCU, 87-84, March 13. The Hawks went 1-1 in the NCAA Tournament as a No. 8 seed. They beat Cincinnati, 78-76, in the first round, March 18, and fell to top-seeded Oregon in the second round, 69-64, March 20. SJU recorded its second-most victories in school history with a 28-8 record. Saint Joseph's top returner is sophomore forward James Demery who averaged 8.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Lamarr Kimble was named to the 2016 A-10 All-Rookie Team after averaging 6.0 points and 1.5 rebounds per game as a freshman last season.
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Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic • December 22, 23, 25
Thursday, December 22 • Hawai'i
Stan Sheriff Center • Honolulu, Hawaii
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2015-16 Overall Record: 28-6
2015-16 Big West Conference Record (Finish): 13-3 (1st)
2015-16 Postseason: NCAA Tournament
Starters Returning/Lost: 1/4
ISU Record Against: 1-2
Last Meeting: November 30, 1997 (L, 84-63 at Hawai'i)
Notable: Hawai'i won the Big West Conference regular season and tournament titles and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by beating Long Beach State, 64-60, March 12. The Rainbow Warriors went 1-1 in the NCAA Tournament as the No. 13 seed. They beat No. 4 seed California, 77-66, in the first round, March 18, and fell to No. 5 seed Maryland in the second round, 73-60, March 20, en route to a program-record 28 victories. Hawai'i's lone returning starter is senior forward Mike Thomas who averaged 7.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Two of last season's starters opted to leave the program early to pursue professional careers.
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Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic Opponent Field
View Bracket
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Hawai'i – 28-6 (13-3 Big West): Big West Tournament champions; Advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
San Diego State – 28-10 (16-2 Mountain West): Lost in the MW Tournament championship; Advanced to the NIT semifinals.
San Francisco – 16-11 (10-10 CCAA): Lost in the first round of the CCAA Tournament.
Southern Mississippi – 8-21 (5-13 C-USA): Did not qualify for the C-USA Tournament.
Stephen F. Austin – 28-6 (18-0 Southland): Southland Tournament champions; Advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Tulsa – 20-12 (12-6 American): Earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and lost in the First Four round.
Utah – 27-9 (13-5 Pac-12): Earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament; Advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
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