Potentially higher seeds for both teams are at stake when Illinois State plays at Indiana State at 1:05 p.m. (central time) Saturday in Terre Haute. The Birds won the first meeting 82-73 in Redbird Arena in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams. In the regular-season finale, a Sycamore win could produce a No. 2 seed and a Redbird win could get the Birds as high as No. 6 in the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament next week at Redbird Arena.
Redbird coach Robin Pingeton knows the stakes are high. While the Redbirds have an explosive offense and the Sycamores, winners of 11 of their last 12 games, have scored at least 70 points in 19 straight games, Pingeton thinks other factors may make the difference in the game.
Its going to be a battle for 40 minutes, said Pingeton. I think rebounding and defense are going to be key factors. Their coach (Jim Wiedie) said their team has been pointing to this game, so we know Indiana State will be ready.
Indiana State coach Jim Wiedie sees attainable goals for his team, including an opportunity to end a three-game losing streak against Illinois State.
Were in a position to win 20 games and were 11-1 at home this year, said Wiedie. Theres a lot riding on this particular game and I know that Ive been looking forward to it and our kids have too since we walked off the floor at Redbird Arena.
For Indiana State, a relentless pressure defense starts with Melanie Boeglin and her 4.2 steals per game. Boeglin has led the nation in steals for most of the season and also leads an offense that is No. 29 in the nation in scoring. Transfer Ashley Clark is one of the leagues top newcomers, among the Valley leaders in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage.
Seniors Katie Donovan and Jaci McCormack, plus sophomore
Megan McCracken, give the Redbirds perimeter power at the rate of 37 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists per game. Freshman Amber Shelton has been among the most consistent rookies in the Valley, averaging between 7.8 and 8.9 points, and 4.1 to 5.0 rebounds throughout the Valley season. Junior center Holly Hallstrom is coming off three straight double-figure rebounding efforts and is the first Redbird in nine seasons with 200 rebounds.
A Redbird win combined with a Bradley loss at Wichita State and a Drake loss to Southern Illinois would make Illinois State the No. 6 seed in the Valley Tournament. A Redbird win plus any combination which includes either Drake or Bradley winning makes the Birds the No. 7 seed. An Indiana State win means the Birds still could be the No. 7 seed if both Drake and Bradley lose, or the No. 8 seed if either Drake or Bradley wins. The Bulldogs play host to Southern Illinois and Bradley is on the road at Wichita State.
Theres a lot riding on this game, said Pingeton. The parity in this conference means anything is possible. Right now, our team needs the challenge of finishing the regular season in a situation like this against a team like Indiana State.
Heading into the final day of the regular season, only one team is assured of its seed: Evansville will be No. 5. The winner of the SMS-UNI game will be the No. 1 seed, but a UNI loss could drop the Panthers as low as No. 4.
