NORMAL, Ill. – As part of this year's Mountain West/Missouri Valley Conference Challenge Series, Illinois State hosts New Mexico Saturday at 7 p.m. on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena. The Redbirds are aiming to remain undefeated at home after winning two straight games and three of the last four. The Lobos are facing their first true road test.
ILLINOIS STATE VS. NEW MEXICO • SATURDAY, DEC. 3, 2016 • 7 P.M.
THE SERIES:
Saturday's game marks the first-ever meeting between Illinois State and New Mexico. The Redbirds are 1-3 in the MW/MVC Challenge Series. ISU won its first game in the series at Utah (Dec. 19, 2009), but has dropped three-straight since then, including last year's 71-60 loss at San Diego State (Nov. 13, 2015). New Mexico beat Loyola at home, 75-51, in last season's Challenge Series (Nov. 18, 2015). The Lobos are 5-0 in the Challenge Series.
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.
New Mexico: Craig Neal (Georgia Tech, 1988) is in his fourth season as the head coach at New Mexico. He became the first rookie head coach in program history to lead New Mexico to the NCAA Tournament (in 2013-14).
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.
NEW MEXICO:
Was picked to finish third (out of 11 teams) in the Mountain West ... Returns four starters and nine letterwinners from last year's 17-15 team which finished fourth with a 10-8 record in the MW regular-season standings ... Was the only team to feature two players (out of five) on the Preseason All-MW First Team, Elijah Brown and Tim Williams, and Brown was also the MW Preseason Player of the Year (averaged a team-best 21.7 ppg in 2016-17).
CHALLENGING THE WEST
The revived Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge Series resumed last season and features head-to-head competition between 10 Mountain West and 10 Missouri Valley teams annually, with each conference hosting five games apiece each season. Annual matchups for teams in the Challenge Series are based upon factors including the previous year's achievements, records and RPI rankings, as well as projected rankings/strength of teams in the upcoming season, based on composite sources. Each season will be considered separately in terms of matchups, therefore, games from the previous year may not be returned.
RENEWING THE RIVALRY
The original Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge Series ran from the 2009-10 through the 2012-13 seasons, with Illinois State earning a 1-2 record (2009-10: at Utah, W 73-63; 2010-11: vs. UNLV, L 82-51; 2011-12: No opponent; 2012-13: vs. Wyoming, L 81-67). Last season, Illinois State lost at San Diego State, 71-60 (Nov. 13, 2015). So, ISU hold a 1-3 overall record in the Challenge Series, and New Mexico is 5-0.
TOP FIVE
Senior forward Deontae Hawkins is the only Missouri Valley Conference player to rank in the top five in both league scoring (fifth, 16.0 points per game) and rebounding (second, 7.6 rebounds per game).
APPROACHING 200
By forcing two steals in Illinois State's win over IUPUI, senior guard Paris Lee increased his career-steals total to 194, putting him six steals away from becoming just the second Redbird ever to force 200 or more career steals. Lee is currently second on the career-steals list behind Ron Jones (222).
TAKING THE ROCK
As a team, Illinois State ranks second in the Missouri Valley Conference and 24th nationally with 9.2 steals averaged per game. Senior guard Paris Lee ranks third in the league with 2.2 steals per contest.
HELPING HAND
Senior guard Paris Lee leads the Missouri Valley Conference and ranks 44th nationally with 5.6 assists averaged per game. As a team, the Redbirds rank third in the league with 16.4 assists per contest.
BALANCED ATTACK
For the second time this season, five Redbirds scored in double figures, as Illinois State used a balanced offensive attack to beat IUPUI (Nov. 30): Paris Lee (18), MiKyle McIntosh (14), Deontae Hawkins (13), DJ Clayton (12) and Phil Fayne (11). The same five players also reached double figures in the win over Fort Wayne (Nov. 16). The IUPUI game marked the first time since 2013-14 that the Redbirds have featured five players in double figures in two or more games (they achieved this feat five times that year).
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
In all five games this season, the Redbirds have both scored first and held a halftime advantage. ISU holds a +9.0 scoring margin in the first half of games this year contrasted with a -2.2 scoring margin in the second half. Illinois State also has a +4.2 turnover margin in the first half compared to a -2.6 second-half turnover margin. Additionally, ISU has shot 49.3 percent in the first half and 42.8 percent in the second half.
TRENDING
So far this season, Illinois State is 3-1 when: Leading with five minutes left in regulation; ISU starters outscore opponent's; Outrebounding opponent. ISU is 3-0 when outshooting its opponent. In Redbird victories, Deontae Hawkins has averaged a team-best 19.3 points per game compared to 11.0 in losses.
CLOSING IN ON 80
Fifth-year head coach Dan Muller is one victory away from his 80th win. With a current record of 79-60, Muller will become just the eighth Redbird head coach (out of 19) to achieve 80 victories at Illinois State.
DJ IS A HIT
Junior transfer guard DJ Clayton has consistently contributed in his first five games as a Redbird. After scoring six points in the season opener, Clayton has reached double figures in four-straight contests, most recently netting 12 points with a game-high eight rebounds in the win over IUPUI (Nov. 30).
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. 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 11.8 points.
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.
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 ranks No. 2 among active NCAA players for career steals. He needs three 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 194
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 (194) behind Ron Jones (222 from 1976-80). Lee also ranks 11th in career assists (347). 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.
GOOD WORKS
Junior forward MiKyle McIntosh is one of 111 NCAA Division I men's basketball student-athletes nominated for the 2017 Allstate Good Works Team. A panel will select the final 10-member team (unveiled in February). McIntosh is a two-time AFNI Honor Roll member and has volunteered for more than 15 hours.
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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