NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State plays its second contest of a three-game home stand by hosting Summit League foe IUPUI Wednesday at 6 p.m. on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena. The Redbirds aim to remain undefeated at home and against members of the Summit League this season after opening their home schedule with a victory over Summit League-favorite Fort Wayne (Nov. 16). ISU is coming off an 81-67 victory over Ferris State (Nov. 27).
ILLINOIS STATE VS. IUPUI • WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30, 2016 • 6 P.M.
THE SERIES:
Wednesday's game marks the second overall meeting between Illinois State and IUPUI, with the Redbirds holding a 1-0 advantage in the all-time series. The two teams last squared off Dec. 23, 2000, with ISU winning, 82-63, in Normal, Illinois. ISU is 77-51 versus current Summit League members, and Dan Muller is 2-1 against the Summit.
THE COACHES:
Illinois State: Dan Muller (Illinois State, 1998) is in his fifth season as the head coach at Illinois State. Muller is the first-ever ISU coach to beat four Top-25 teams in his first four years. He led ISU to the 2015 NIT.
IUPUI: Jason Gardner (Arizona, 2011) is in his third season as the head coach at IUPUI. As a first-year coach in 2014-15, Gardner helped IUPUI more than triple its win total of the previous season.
ILLINOIS STATE:
Was picked to finish second (out of 10 teams) in the Missouri Valley Conference ... Was the only team to feature two players (out of five) on the Preseason All-MVC First Team (Paris Lee and MiKyle McIntosh) ... Returns four of five starters and seven of 11 letterwinners from last year's team, which tied for second place in the MVC with a 12-6 record, signifying ISU's highest league finish and most conference wins since the 2007-08 season.
IUPUI:
Was picked to finish fifth (out of nine teams) in the Summit League ... Returns two starters and eight letterwinners from last year's 13-19 team which finished fourth with a 9-7 record in the Summit League regular-season standings ... Included among the returners is Darell Combs (16.3 ppg last season) who was voted a 2016 All-Summit League Second Team selection and was a Preseason All-Summit League First Team selection this year.
REACHING THE SUMMIT
By hosting IUPUI Wednesday, Illinois State is playing its second and final game of the season against a Summit League foe. The Redbirds opened their home season with a 75-57 victory over defending Summit League regular-season champion and preseason favorite Fort Wayne (Nov. 16). ISU holds a 77-51 program record against current members of the Summit League (including a 1-0 mark versus IUPUI).Head coach Dan Muller is 2-1 versus the Summit League:
-Nov. 16, 2016 vs. Fort Wayne (in Normal, Illinois): W, 75-57
-Nov. 19, 2015 vs. South Dakota State (in Normal, Illinois): L, 83-67
-Dec. 22, 2014 vs. Fort Wayne (in Normal, Illinois): W, 68-43
HOT SHOT
In Illinois State's 81-67 victory over Ferris State (Nov. 27), the Redbirds recorded their highest point-total since scoring 81 in an 84-81 overtime loss at Missouri State Jan. 30, 2016. It also marked the most points scored by ISU in a victory since an 82-72 home-court win over Bradley Jan. 17, 2015. Illinois State's 31 made-field goals were the most since totaling 39 in a 99-57 win over Quincy Dec. 29, 2014.
INTENSE DEFENSE
The Redbirds combined for 15 steals in the win against Ferris State (Nov. 27), signifying ISU's most steals since also forcing 15 versus UAB (Nov. 23, 2012). Illinois State's 15 steals tied for seventh on the program's single-game steals list. As a team, Illinois State leads the Missouri Valley Conference and ranks 14th nationally with 9.8 steals averaged per game. Additionally, the Redbirds forced 22 turnovers against Ferris State, which was the most since forcing 24 versus Indiana State (Dec. 31, 2014). Senior forward Deontae Hawkins contributed a career-best four steals, surpassing his previous high of three.
FAYNE'S GAME
Sophomore transfer Phil Fayne scored a career-high 22 points on 9-for-16 (56.3 percent) shooting from the field in Illinois State's win over Ferris State (Nov. 27), marking the most points scored by a Redbird newcomer since then-junior transfer DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell netted 24 points versus Southern Illinois Feb. 25, 2015. Akoon-Purcell – who netted 20 or more points three times as a junior – went on to earn 2015 Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year accolades. Fayne is averaging 12.0 points.
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
In all four games this season, the Redbirds have scored first and have held a halftime advantage. ISU holds a +7.5 scoring margin in the first half of games this year contrasted with a -2.5 scoring margin in the second half. Illinois State also has a +3.5 turnover margin in the first half compared to a -1.7 second-half turnover margin. Additionally, ISU has shot 47.8 percent in the first half and 42.5 percent in the second.
TOP THREE
Senior forward Deontae Hawkins ranks No. 3 in the Missouri Valley Conference in both scoring (16.8 ppg) and rebounding (8.0 rpg). Hawkins is the only league player to rank in the top five in both categories.
APPROACHING 200
By forcing four steals in Illinois State's win over Ferris State, senior guard Paris Lee is just eight away from 200-career steals. Lee is currently second on the career-steals list behind Ron Jones (222).
DJ IS A HIT
Junior transfer guard DJ Clayton has played well in his first four games as a Redbird. After scoring six points in the season opener at Murray State (Nov. 11), Clayton has reached double figures in three-straight contests, netting 11 points with nine rebounds against Fort Wayne (Nov. 16), an ISU career-best 13 points with five rebounds at TCU (Nov. 21), and once again, 11 points in the win over Ferris State (Nov. 27).
MiKYLE STYLE
Junior forward MiKyle McIntosh – a Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference selection – picked up where he left off by recording season highs in points (20) and rebounds (nine) at TCU (Nov. 21).
CAREER NIGHT
Senior forward Deontae Hawkins netted a career-high 24 points in Illinois State's home-opening victory over Fort Wayne (Nov. 16). Hawkins surpassed his previous high of 18 points versus Youngstown State (Nov. 29, 2014). The Dayton, Ohio, native, made a career-best nine field goals (on 15 attempts), topping his previous mark of seven-made field goals against Southern Illinois Feb. 24, 2016.
BALANCED ATTACK
In Illinois State's wire-to-wire home-opening victory over Fort Wayne (Nov. 16), the Redbirds featured five players who reached double-figure scoring for the first time since achieving the same feat Jan. 12, 2016 at Southern Illinois. Deontae Hawkins, MiKyle McIntosh and Paris Lee were three of the five both times.
HAWK SKIES FOR BOARDS
In Illinois State's season opener at Murray State (Nov. 11), senior forward Deontae Hawkins matched a career best with 15 rebounds. Hawkins recorded 15 boards for the third time in his career. And, with 14 points, Hawkins earned his third-career double-double.
IT'S A STEAL
Senior guard Paris Lee enters the 2016-17 season ranked No. 2 among active NCAA players for career steals. He needs five to crack into the MVC all-time Top 10 for steals.
NCAA Active Leaders, Career Steals
1. Jalan West, Northwestern State 219 (out until at least late February with a knee injury)
2. Paris Lee, Illinois State 192
3. Monte Morris, Iowa State 179
RECORDS IN REACH
As the Missouri Valley Conference's active career leader in steals and assists, senior guard Paris Lee will undoubtedly leave his mark in the Illinois State record book. Lee ranks second in career steals (192) behind Ron Jones (222 from 1976-80). Lee also ranks 11th in career assists (341). Additionally, Lee began the 2016-17 season with 813 points, just 187 away from becoming the 42nd member of the 1,000-point club. Lee scored 355 points last season and has never scored fewer than 227.
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
Illinois State is picked to finish second in the league, according to the 2016-17 MVC Preseason Poll, as compiled from votes by MVC sports information directors, media and coaches. Illinois State's predicted second-place finish marks ISU's highest pick since also being tabbed second in the 2012-13 preseason poll. The Redbirds have now been selected to finish second or higher six times in program history (1993-94: first; 1996-97: first; 1997-98: first; 2001-02: first; 2012-13: second; 2016-17: second). ISU received 356 total points and four first-place votes. Wichita State is the favorite to win the MVC men's basketball title.
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