Feb. 23, 2008
Illinois State Game Notes in PDF Format 
STORYLINES
► Illinois State and Wright State will be squaring off for the first time in history on the hardwood.
► The Redbirds will be playing their 12th non-conference game of the 2007-08 campaign. ISU has an 8-3 non-conference record, including a 6-0 mark at home.
► Dating back to the 2002-03 season, Illinois State boasts a 4-1 record in BracketBusters series matchups, including a perfect 5-0 mark in BracketBusters return games. The `Birds will return the trip to Dayton, Ohio, next season.
► Illinois State, listed as one of ESPN.com's "Bubble Teams," is 0-4 against the top-50 teams in ESPN's InsideRPI Daily report, but is 4-1 against teams ranked 51-100.
► The Redbirds are 13-1 on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena this season, with their only loss coming against nationally-ranked Drake on Feb. 5.
ABOUT WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY
► Wright State University is located in Dayton, Ohio, and has a total enrollment of 17,074. The Raiders are members of the NCAA Division I and the Horizon League.
► The Raiders finished the 2006-07 campaign with a 23-10 record overall and a 13-3 record in the Horizon League. Wright State finished in first place in the league standings, and won the Horizon League Tournament. The Raiders garnered an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament, where they dropped a 79-58 decision to Pittsburgh in the first round.
► Head coach Brad Brownell (DePauw, `91) is in his second year at the helm of the Raider program. Prior to WSU, Brownell was a head coach at UNC-Wilmington, where he led the Seahawks to NCAA Tournaments in 2002-03 and 2005-06. He was also an assistant/associate head coach at UNC-Wilmington from 1994-2002. Brownell is assisted by associate head coach Billy Donlon, and assistant coaches Mike Winiecki and Victor Ebong.
► WSU returns five lettermen from last year's NCAA Tournament team, including three starters.
SCOUTING THE RAIDERS
Wright State enters Sunday's game with a 20-8 record, including a 12-4 mark in the Horizon League. The Raiders are on a current 11-game winning streak, with eight of those wins coming by five points or less, including Wednesday's 59-58 win over visiting Detroit. The Raiders defeated then 13th-ranked Butler, 43-42, on Dec. 8. Wright State has two players averaging double-digits in scoring, led by Vaughn Duggins' 14.3 points per game. Todd Brown has contributed 13.2 points per contest. Scottie Wilson leads the rebounding charge with 7.2 caroms per game, while Jordan Pleiman's 6.1 rebounds per contest ranks second on the team. The Raiders are 7-3 on the road this season, including winning each of their last five games away from home.
SCOUTING THE REDBIRDS
Illinois State is coming off Wednesday's 49-47 win at Evansville, moving its overall record to 19-8 (11-5 MVC), ISU's best overall and league record since the 2000-01 season. Osiris Eldridge leads both the Redbirds and the Missouri Valley Conference in scoring at 16.3 points per game, and has led ISU in scoring 13 times overall this season. Anthony Slack, the league leader in field goal percentage (.703), leads ISU in rebounding with 6.5 caroms per game. Boo Richardson paces the Redbirds with 103 assists. ISU leads the league in field goal percentage (.465) and three-point field goal percentage defense (.332).
NEXT UP: REDBIRDS HOST CREIGHTON ON SENIOR DAY FEB. 27
Illinois State will wrap up its regular season home schedule against Creighton (18-8, 9-7 MVC) Wednesday (Feb. 27) on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena beginning at 7:05 p.m. The Redbirds upended the Bluejays in the Missouri Valley Conference opener (Dec. 29), 80-67, behind Levi Dyer's season-high 20 points. MVC Freshman of the Year candidate P'Allen Stinnett leads the Bluejays in scoring with 12.2 points per game, while Dane Watts is averaging a team-high 6.1 rebounds per contest. Creighton is 4-6 on the road this season, and has dropped its last four road contests in Valley play.
CHASING A SECOND-PLACE FINISH
Illinois State's 49-47 win over host Evansville Wednesday allowed the Redbirds to hold onto a one-game lead over third-place Southern Illinois (15-12, 10-6 MVC), who ISU defeated, 56-47, on Jan. 5. The `Birds were eliminated from regular season Valley championship contention after No. 14 Drake clinched the outright title with a 65-55 win at UNI Feb. 16. The last time ISU finished second in the MVC standings was during the 2000-01 season, when the Redbirds went 12-6 in Valley play, and finished second behind Creighton (14-4).
INJURY UPDATE: Johnson Out Indefinitely After Tonsillectomy
Illinois State senior guard Dom Johnson, who has sat out the past two games due to persistent throat and neck infections, is out indefinitely, and underwent surgery to have his tonsils removed at BroMenn Regional Medical Center Thursday afternoon. Johnson underwent a surgical procedure Tuesday to treat ongoing inflammation in his throat and neck. He did not travel with the team to Evansville, and a tonsillectomy was scheduled due to the continuing discomfort. Johnson has started all 25 games he has played in this season. The team leader in minutes (31.2 mpg), Johnson is averaging 9.2 points and 3.4 assists per game. The Bell City, Mo., native is shooting 45.3 percent from the field, including a 36.8 percent mark from three-point range. Johnson is also the Redbirds' second-best free-throw shooter, at 81.1 percent.
BRACKETBUSTERS NOTABLES
The BracketBusters series has proven to be a successful venture for the Redbirds over the previous five years. ISU boasts a 4-1 record in BracketBusters series matchups, while also posting a perfect 5-0 mark in the return games. This year's national telecast marks the third time in the Redbirds' history that their BracketBusters contest has been televised on the ESPN family of networks. ISU is 2-0 in home BracketBusters games.
IN LAST YEAR'S BRACKETBUSTERS CONTEST ...
Levi Dyer scored 19 points in the first half, highlighted by a perfect 4-for-4 effort from beyond the three-point arc as Illinois State defeated Ball State, 70-57, in a 2007 O'Reilly ESPNU BracketBusters game on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena. Dyer finished with a game and career-high 29 points on 11-for-13 shooting.
AND IN THE RETURN ...
Redshirt sophomore Dinma Odiakosa tallied his first-career double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, and senior guard Boo Richardson had 16 points (7-of-8 shooting) and six assists against zero turnovers to lead Illinois State to a 65-49 win at Ball State at John E. Worthen Arena. The win was ISU's second-consecutive on the road. Osiris Eldridge (15 points) joined Odiakosa and Richardson in double-figures.
AGAINST THE HORIZON LEAGUE
Illinois State has never faced Wright State on the hardwood, but has played 92 recorded games against current members of the Indianapolis-based Horizon League. The Redbirds are 5-4 against Butler, 3-1 versus Cleveland State, 3-1 against Detroit, 11-7 versus Illinois-Chicago, 7-3 against Loyola (Chicago), 7-4 versus Valparaiso, 9-3 against Green Bay and 17-7 versus Milwaukee. ISU defeated UIC, 73-47, on Dec. 1 at Redbird Arena.
ELDRIDGE CHALKS UP FIRST MVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONOR
After recording two dominating scoring efforts in Illinois State's home-road Missouri Valley Conference split last week, sophomore guard Osiris Eldridge was named the Valley Player of the Week as announced by the league office Monday afternoon. It is Eldridge's second-career player of the week honor, and the third time he has been recognized by the conference office in a weekly plaudit. He was tabbed the MVC Newcomer of the Week on Feb. 26, 2007. Eldridge averaged 29.0 points, 6.0 three-point field goals, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game on a 60.6 shooting percentage in Illinois State's two Missouri Valley Conference games last week. The Redbirds defeated Missouri State Wednesday, and dropped a 76-72 decision at Indiana State Saturday.
MVC PLAYER OF THE YEAR? O-MY!
While he was not even picked to the preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference team, as end of the Valley season approaches, it is becoming evident that sophomore guard Osiris Eldridge deserves a good, hard look as a MVC Player of the Year candidate. Eldridge leads the Valley in scoring with 16.3 points per game, and is the league's 14th-leading rebounder, at 5.5 rebounds per contest. He is also shooting 48.2 percent from the field, the eighth-best mark in the MVC this season. Eldridge's 1.33 steals per game are tied for 13th overall. In conference play, his 2.75 made three-point field goals per game rank second in the league. Eldridge has 24 double-digit scoring efforts this season, including 21 in the last 23 games. An updated single-season and career bio, along with a game-by-game breakdown of Eldridge's season is available on the front page of GoRedbirds.com.
PERCENT AND PROBABILITY
So far this season, when Anthony Slack attempts a field goal there is a high probability it is going in. In fact it is so high, that if he stays on this pace it would be the highest single-season field goal percentage in Illinois State history. Slack is making 70.3 percent of his field goals this season, which leads the Missouri Valley Conference.
THIRTY SOMETHING
Against Indiana State (Feb. 16), sophomore guard Osiris Eldridge scored 34 points, the most for a Redbird player since current backcourt teammate Dom Johnson tossed in 32 points at Florida State last season. Eldridge's 34 points eclipsed his previous career-high of 30 points that he scored against UNC-Wilmington on Nov. 18. His 12 made field goals were also a career-best mark.
FINDING A WAY TO WIN
Despite recording team-lows in points (49), field goals (14), field goal percentage (.298) and assists (6), Illinois State was able to grind out a road win Wednesday, edging host Evansville, 49-47, at Roberts Stadium. ISU had just six field goals in the first half, scoring a season-low 20 points in the opening stanza.
PLUS-EIGHT FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
Illinois State shot 22 free throws to Evansville's 14 Wednesday, marking the eighth time this season the Redbirds have attempted more free throws than their opponent. ISU in 7-1 in those games. Illinois State also held a commanding 37-28 rebounding advantage in the game.
ABERRATION WEDNESDAY?
Illinois State, the top field goal shooting team in the Missouri Valley Conference, shot just 29.8 percent in Wednesday's win at Evansville. ISU has shot better than 50 percent in 10 contests this season, and is 7-3 in those games.
IN SEARCH OF 20
A win over Wright State Sunday would give Illinois State its 20th win of the season. The Redbirds have won 20 or more games just twice in the past 10 seasons, and in both cases (1997-98 and 2000-01), they advanced to the postseason. The 1997-98 Redbirds went 25-6 (16-2 MVC), captured the Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after defeating Tennessee in the first round. The 2000-01 team recorded a 21-9 (12-6 MVC) record, and advanced to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
NINE NON-CONFERENCE WINS?
If Illinois State breaks Wright State's 11-game winning streak Sunday, it would secure its ninth non-conference win for the third time in the past four seasons. However, the Redbirds' non-conference success in recent campaigns has not translated into success in Valley play. ISU's 11 Valley wins this season equals the Redbirds' combined MVC win total in the past two campaigns.
SCORING MILESTONES WITHIN REACH
Frontcourt mates Levi Dyer and Brandon Sampay enter Wednesday's game within reach of securing significant single-season and career milestones. Dyer has 697 career points, and is just three away from equaling 700 points for his career. Sampay needs just four points to become the eighth ISU player this season to score 100 points. Notably, Brandon Holtz has 198 career points, and is just two points away from equaling 200, and Mike Vandello's 199 career points are just one point away from accomplishing the same feat.
TURNOVERS LEAD TO SETBACKS
For the eighth time this season, Illinois State committed more turnovers (14) than assists (6) Wednesday at Evansville. Seven of those games, five of which were on the road, led to defeats.
60 THE BAROMETER?
Illinois State allowed just 47 points against Evansville Wednesday, marking the 12th time the Redbirds have held their opponent to less than 60 points. The Redbirds are 12-0 in those contests, capturing wins by an average of 15 points per game.
TIME TO STEP IT UP?
Illinois State head coach Tim Jankovich has used five different starting combinations this season, with two of those occuring due to injury. In the absence of Anthony Slack (Jan. 27 vs. Indiana State and Jan. 30 at UNI) and Dom Johnson (Feb. 16 at Indiana State and Wednesday at Evansville), ISU's bench has been outscored 75-37, including Wednesday's 23-4 advantage by Evansville's reserves. The Redbirds are 5-5 this season when their bench is outscored by the opposition's reserves.
A NEW FEBRUARY?
Illinois State had a combined 11 wins in the months of December and January. But it is a new month, and in recent history, February hasn't been friendly to the Redbirds. Dating back to the 2002-03 season, ISU has a combined 17-29 record in the month of February. The Redbirds' 49-47 win at Evansville gave ISU four wins in February for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign.
DOUBLE-DIGIT VALLEY WINS: IT'S BEEN A WHILE
Illinois State has an 11-5 record in Missouri Valley Conference action. The last time ISU had at least 10 MVC wins was in the 2000-01 season, when the Redbirds went 12-6 in Valley play. That team went 21-9 overall, advanced to the State Farm MVC Tournament semifinals, and played in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
DIVERSITY IN SCORING
While just two ISU players, Osiris Eldridge and Anthony Slack, average double-digits this season, a balanced scoring attack has helped the Redbirds to their 19 wins. Eldridge (441), Dom Johnson (229) and Anthony Slack (255) have all eclipsed 200 points for the season, and Levi Dyer (184), Dinma Odiakosa (184), Boo Richardson (175) and Emmanuel Holloway (134) have all passed 100 points.
REBOUNDING TRIO
Anthony Slack (6.5 rpg), Osiris Eldridge (5.5) and Dinma Odiakosa (5.4) are all averaging more than five rebounds per game through 27 games this season. The last time Illinois State had three players average at least five rebounds per game in a single season was during the 1998-99 campaign, when L. Dee Murdock (6.1 rpg), Sean Riley (5.3) and LeRoy Watkins (5.5) all grabbed more than five caroms per outing.
HOW DO YOU WANT TO WIN?
Illinois State has proven that it can win in many ways through its 19 victories this season. The Redbirds have captured wins when scoring in the 40s (at Wichita State and at Evansville), 50s (Southern Illinois) 60s (Cincinnati, Bowling Green, Ball State, Indiana State and twice against Missouri State), 70s (Missouri-St. Louis, Illinois-Chicago, Evansville, vs. Wichita State and Bradley), 80s (UNC-Wilmington, Chicago State and Creighton) and 90s (Southeast Missouri State).
AT HOME, ISU IS A QUARTERHORSE
Through 14 home games, Illinois State has had its way with opponents during the 2007-08 season. The Redbirds are posting an average margin of victory of nearly 14 points (13.9), while averaging 71.0 points per game. At home, ISU is shooting 49.5 percent and is holding opponents to 38.4 percent shooting.
ISU-SIU Season Finale Completes Wildcard Weekend
After Illinois State's men's basketball team put a stranglehold on sole possession of second-place in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 72-68 win over rival Bradley on Feb. 9, the conference office announced Feb. 11 that the Redbirds will be showcased one more time on the MVC Television Network, when ISU visits in-state rival Southern Illinois Saturday, March 1 at 7:30 p.m. The game will clear live on FSN Midwest and Comcast SportsNet Chicago as part of the league's "Wildcard Weekend."
