NORMAL, Ill. – After beating Wichita State Saturday to improve to 6-0 – in sole possession of first place in the Missouri Valley Conference standings for the first time since 1998 – the Illinois State men's basketball team (14-4 overall) earned one vote in the USA Today Coaches Poll released Monday morning.
The Redbirds were recognized in a national poll for the first time since earning three votes in the Dec. 7, 2009 (Week Five) AP Top 25 Poll. Illinois State most-recently received votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll Nov. 30, 2009 (Week Four). ISU garnered four votes in each poll that week after earning a 6-0 overall record. The Redbirds went on to build a 7-0 record before suffering their first loss in game eight. Illinois State has not been ranked nationally in the Top-25 since Nov. 18, 1997 when the Redbirds were ranked No. 24.
Following ISU's victory over Wichita State Saturday, the Redbirds' NCAA RPI ranking elevated 16 spots to 27th nationally. Going into Saturday's game against the Shockers, the Redbirds held an RPI of 43. Illinois State's current RPI of 27 matches the Redbirds' best season-ending RPI in 1997-98. ISU's RPI was 33 on Selection Sunday and 27th at the end of the season that year.
The Redbirds will try to extend their seven-game winning streak and remain undefeated in the MVC when ISU plays at Bradley (8-11, 3-3 MVC) in Peoria, Illinois, Wednesday at 8 p.m. The game can be seen live on CBS Sports Network and heard on WJBC 1230-AM. ISU returns to Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena Saturday, Jan. 21 to host Drake at 7 p.m. Redbird great Doug Collins will be recognized at halftime of Saturday's game.
For tickets to Illinois State home games, navigate to GoRedbirds.com/Tickets, call (309) 438-8000 or visit the Illinois State Athletics Ticket Office at the north entrance to Redbird Arena.
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