Illinois State womens basketball coach Robin Pingeton promised to beef up the schedule at Illinois State. A look at the preseason USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Top 25 announced Wednesday shows she went for prime rib. Pingetons Redbirds open the season at No. 11 Notre Dame in the SportsView.tv Preseason Womens NIT. Other potential opponents in that tournament include No. 9 Ohio State, plus a Middle Tennessee contingent that is also receiving votes.
The Irish, 21-11 last year, have four starters back from a team ranked No. 20 at the end of the last season. Illinois State was 16-13, its first winning season in seven years. The Birds have three starters returning: guard Jaci McCormack and forwards Katie Donovan and Erin Keeney.
Illinois State goes from the preseason NIT to the Junkanoo Jam in the Bahamas to face No. 18 Kansas State in the first round Nov. 26. Depending upon who wins that day, the Redbirds could match-up with No. 6 Duke the next day. Duke also has three starters back from a 31-4 unit that finished last season ranked No. 5 in the nation. The Wildcats, who return three starters, were 25-6 last year and No. 15 in the final poll.
The two teams picked to finish ahead of Illinois State in the preseason Missouri Valley Conference poll, Creighton and SMS, both are among the teams also receiving votes.
Pingeton enjoys a challenge and believes her team wants one too.
Those teams are at the level we want to take this program to, said Pingeton. Its very true that if you want to If be the best, you have to play the best and, for this year, that early schedule will tell us what we need to know about our team.
Those teams also help prepare for the Valley schedule, according to Pingeton.
Some people think a schedule like that could beat you up before the conference season starts, said Pingeton. We think that you have to stay healthy and sharp to compete in the Missouri Valley Conference. It is a fantastic and well-respected conference.
Pingeton pointed out that a stronger schedule and success in the Valley can mean a post-season bid.
Last year, we had three teams in post-season play and Creighton won the NITand some people thought it was a down year for the conference, said Pingeton. The Valley always has three or four teams in position to play in post-season tournaments. Thats where we want to be. Playing this schedule can help us get there.
Illinois State plays its second exhibition game at 2:05 p.m. Sunday against Saint Xavier of Chicago in Redbird Arena.
