The month of August isnt typically considered a time for basketball, but with the Illinois State mens basketball tour in Australia currently taking place, the Redbirds involvement in Bracket Busters and Saturdays announcement of the Birds 2002-03 basketball schedule hoops is definitely a hot topic.
For the first time since 1999, the Redbirds, which return seven letterwinners from a 17-14 season, will face a Missouri Valley Conference opponent in December. After playing eight previously released non-conference foes, Illinois State opens league play in Redbird Arena against Southwest Missouri State on Sunday, December 29.
With 14 home games and 13 on the road this schedule is going to be a good test for our team, head coach Tom Richardson said. Our longest homestand is only three games and thats the way its going to be with a balanced schedule like we have.
Succeeding the conference opener against the Bears, the Birds hit the road against Southern Illinois (Jan. 4) and Northern Iowa (Jan. 7). In league play, Illinois States longest home stint will be two games, which occurs twice. The longest stretch of road games is three with the Bracket Busters game on February 22, Drake on February 26 and Indiana State on March 1.
That stretch really stuck out at me when I saw our schedule, Richardson said. To end a season with a stretch like that is obviously going to be tough, but its a challenge that were going to have to step up and meet.
Another couple of interesting twists in the Redbirds league slate this season is the home contest against Bradley and the regular season finale. The Birds will face the Braves on February 1, which is a Saturday. In recent years this game has typically taken place on a Wednesday night. Also, ISU will close out the regular season at home on Monday, March 3 on what should be a key league matchup against Southern Illinois.
I like having the opportunity to end the conference season with a home game, Richardson added. The fact that its against Southern Illinois makes things interesting, since each school is hoping to still be in the mix at that point. Plus the SIU game last year was one of our best home crowds and its always an exciting matchup especially if there is something on the line.
The non-conference schedule has ISU on its home floor five times, including the season opener against Utah State, after a pair of yet-to-be-determined exhibition games. Coming off of a road trip to Central Michigan, the team will see Illinois-Chicago and Chattanooga at home before traveling to Kent State and Western Kentucky. Following the contest against the Hilltoppers the Birds settle in for their longest homestand of the season against Jacksonville, Northern Illinois and the Valley opener versus SMS.
Of ISUs 14 home games, eight are scheduled for Saturday. Season tickets for basketball are on sale now at the Redbird Arena Ticket Office. To order or for more information please call the ticket office at 309/438-8000.
