NORMAL, Ill. – A spot in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) quarterfinals is at stake when No. 1-seeded Illinois State (28-6) hosts No. 4-seeded UCF (22-11) in the second round of the 2017 NIT Monday at 6 p.m. on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena. Monday's game will feature two of the best defensive teams in the country. UCF boasts a nation-best 36.4 percent field-goal percentage defense, while ISU ranks fifth with a field-goal percentage defense of 37.8 percent.
ILLINOIS STATE VS. UCF • MONDAY, MARCH 20, 2017 • 6 P.M.
THE SERIES:
Monday's game marks the first-ever meeting between Illinois State and UCF. The Redbirds hold a 19-27 record versus current members of the American Athletic Conference, with ISU going 1-1 versus AAC foe Tulsa this season. Tulsa is the only opponent shared by Illinois State and UCF this season, with the Knights also splitting the 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 2017 Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year. He is the fourth Redbird head coach to win the prestigious honor.
UCF: Johnny Dawkins (Duke, 1986) is in his first season as the head coach at UCF. Dawkins arrived in Orlando after an eight-year stint at Stanford where he led the Cardinal to five postseason appearances and four 20-win seasons.
ILLINOIS STATE:
Earned a share of the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title with a program-best 17-1 MVC record ... Fell to then No. 21 Wichita State in the MVC Tournament title game ... Set a program record for regular-season wins (25) and overall victories (28) ... Features the fifth-best field-goal percentage defense in the nation (37.8) ... Features Paris Lee, the MVC Player and Defensive Player of the Year, and an All-MVC First Team and All-Tournament selection.
UCF:
Finished fourth in the American Athletic Conference standings with an 11-7 record, behind NCAA Tournament qualifiers SMU and Cincinnati, and NIT qualifier Houston ... Fell to top-seeded SMU in the AAC Tournament semifinals ... Advanced to the NIT second round by beating Colorado, 79-74, March 15 in Orlando ... Features Tacko Fall, the AAC Defensive Player of the Year, whose 84 blocked shots (2.5 blocks per game) are a UCF single-season record.
TOP SEED
For the first time in program history, the Illinois State men's basketball team is a No. 1 seed in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). The NCAA announced on Selection Sunday (March 12) that the Redbirds were among the "first four out" of the NCAA Tournament field; therefore, ISU was awarded one of four No. 1 seeds in the 32-team NIT bracket, marking the first time the Missouri Valley Conference has had a No. 1 seed since Creighton earned one in 2009. Illinois State earned a No. 2 seed three times: 1987, 1995 and 2008. The MVC has seven all-time NIT titles, including five by current members.
LEFT OUT
Illinois State had 26 Division I wins and a Selection Sunday RPI of 33. Only one other team in NCAA history has had 26 Division I wins, an RPI under 40 and also failed to make the NCAA Tournament (Toledo had 26 Division I wins and an RPI of 38 in 2014). Since 1990-91, 1,030 of 1,071 eligible teams with an RPI of 40 or better have made the NCAA Tournament. Illinois State, at 33, was the only Top 40 RPI team excluded this season. In the past 18 years, only 28 eligible teams, including eight from the MVC, have not made the NCAA Tournament with an RPI of 40 or better. In 2006, Missouri State was omitted with an RPI of 21.
PLAYING IN THE POSTSEASON
Illinois State, which became an NCAA Division I program prior to the 1970-71 season, is enjoying postseason play for the 21st time. The Redbirds have qualified for the NCAA Tournament six times (1983, 1984, 1985, 1990, 1997, 1998), the NIT 14 times (1977, 1978, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2017) and the CBI once (2014). ISU is 11-13 all-time in the NIT, with a 2-6 mark in NIT second-round matchups. Head coach Dan Muller is 2-1 in the NIT and 4-2 in the postseason.
QUARTERFINAL BERTH
The winner of Monday night's game will advance to the NIT quarterfinals. The Redbirds are aiming to play in the quarterfinals for the fourth time in program history and the first time since 1996. ISU also advanced to the quarterfinals in 1987 and 1977. ISU has never made it to the semifinals (all-time results on Pg. 34).
FAMILIAR TERRITORY
The Redbirds most recently played in the NIT in 2015, with the Redbirds earning a 69-56 first-round victory on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena March 18 versus Green Bay (led by now-Bradley coach Brian Wardle) before falling in the second round, 50-49, at Old Dominion March 23. Four current Redbirds played in ISU's 2015 NIT run: Paris Lee (10.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.0 spg), Deontae Hawkins (3.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg), MiKyle McIntosh (2.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg), Tony Wills (0.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg). See NIT stats on Pg. 35.
HISTORIC SEASON
Illinois State's 2016-17 team (28-6, 17-1 MVC) continues to etch its name in the program record book:
-By beating UC Irvine (March 15), Illinois State added on to the program record for:
-Most single-season wins - Previously 25 (25-3: 1967-68; 25-6: 1997-98; 25-10: 2007-08).
-By beating Northern Iowa (Feb. 25), Illinois State set the program record for:
-Most regular-season wins - Previously 24 (24-4: 1977-78; 24-5: 2016-17).
-Most conference wins - Previously 16 (16-2: 1997-98; 16-1: 2016-17).
CONFERENCE CHAMPS
Illinois State won a share of the 2016-17 Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship for the first time since 1998 and the sixth time in program history. The Redbirds, who earned the No. 1 seed in the 2017 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, ultimately fell in the tournament championship game to then-No. 21 Wichita State (March 5). Illinois State and Wichita State finished with identical 17-1 MVC records and split the regular-season series. ISU has made it to the tournament final in five of the past 10 years – more than any other school during the past decade – with ISU going 0-5 in those title games.
RPI REPORT
With an RPI of 33 on March 12, the Redbirds matched their program-high for RPI on Selection Sunday. ISU also achieved an RPI of 33 on Selection Sunday in 1998 (automatic bid to NCAA Tournament) and in 2008 (at-large bid to NIT). Following ISU's victory over Wichita State (Jan. 14), the Redbirds' RPI ranking elevated 16 spots from 43 to a season-best 27. ISU's best-ever season-ending RPI was 27 in 1998.
MEASURING IMPROVEMENT
By earning a 28-6 (.824) record so far this season compared to an 18-14 (.563) record in 2015-16, the Redbirds are tied for 15th place on the NCAA Division I most-improved list. By winning 10 more games than last season, the 2016-17 Redbirds are also tied for third place on the program's Division I era improvement list: 1. 1991-92: 13-game improvement; 2. 2000-01: 11-game improvement; T3. 2007-08: 10-game improvement; T3. 2016-17: 10-game improvement.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Fifth-year head coach Dan Muller – who clinched his 100th victory as Illinois State's head coach against Southern Illinois (Feb. 22) – is the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year.
-Muller is the sixth coach (out of 19) in program history to win 100 or more games (104-64).
-With one more win, Muller will surpass the five-year win total of his predecessor Tim Jankovich (104-64).
-Muller is the third coach (out of seven) to win 57 or more MVC games (57-33).
-Muller has led Illinois State to a better MVC record and higher conference finish each year as head coach:
2013: 8-10, 6th; 2014: 9-9, T4th; 2015: 11-7, T3rd; 2016: 12-6, T2nd; 2017: 17-1, T1st.
-When Paris Lee and Tony Wills were freshmen in 2013-14, Muller led the least experienced DI team.
FIELD-GOAL DEFENSE
Illinois State's field-goal percentage defense of 37.8 percent ranks fifth nationally and second in the MVC:
-ISU's program record for field-goal percentage defense is 40.2 percent (1996-97).
-Since 1980, the MVC's best field-goal defense recorded was 38.3 percent by Bradley (1997-98).
-During that 37-year span, ISU has led the league in field-goal defense five times (1983, 1984, 1985, 1988 and 2009), with the Redbirds advancing to the NCAA Tournament in three of those five years.
SCORING DEFENSE
Illinois State's scoring defense of 61.3 points allowed per game ranks eighth nationally and leads the MVC:
-ISU's program record for scoring defense is 59.1 points per game (2005-06).
-Since 1980, the MVC's best scoring defense was 54.6 points per game by Northern Iowa (2014-15).
-During that 37-year span, ISU has led the league in scoring defense five times (1983, 1985, 1988, 1989 and 2008), with the Redbirds advancing to the NCAA Tournament in two of those five years.
LOCKING DOWN
Opponents have averaged 36.5 percent shooting and 58.8 points against Illinois State over the past 25 games. The Redbirds have gone 22-3 during that stretch. Conversely, during ISU's first seven games, the Redbirds earned a 4-3 record while allowing opponents to shoot 43.0 percent and average 69.1 points per game. In MVC games, ISU ranked first in field-goal percentage defense (37.0 percent) and scoring defense (57.9 points per game).
PROTECTING THE NEST
The 2016-17 Redbirds finished 15-0 at home during the regular season to secure their first-ever undefeated regular season at Redbird Arena. Now 16-0 at home in 2016-17, ISU has won 22-straight games dating back to last season to set an arena record and pass the previous mark of 17-straight wins at Redbird Arena between 1996-97 and 1997-98. ISU's last home-court loss occurred Jan. 15, 2016 to Evansville (L, 66-55). The home-court winning streak is tied for Illinois State's second-longest during the Division I era and currently is tied for fourth-longest in the nation. ISU's last undefeated home season was in 1977-78*.
*ISU went 11-0 at home during the 1983-84 regular season, but lost at home in the MVC Tournament semifinal to finish the season 12-1 at home (after going 1-1 in MVC Tournament home games).
Longest ISU Home Winning Streaks in DI Era
1976-77, 1977-78, 1978-79: 31 games
1973-74, 1974-75, 1975-76: 22 games
2015-16, 2016-17: 22 games (and counting)
1982-83, 1983-84: 19 games
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
The Redbirds are 17-0 this season when allowing their opponent to score fewer than 60 points and 25-1 when allowing fewer than 70 points. Offensively, ISU is 16-2 when scoring 70 or more points.
RAINING THREES
Illinois State and UC Irvine each made 13 3-pointers (March 15) to tie the Redbird Arena record for trifectas by two teams in one game (26). Senior forward Deontae Hawkins netted a career-high six 3-pointers (on six attempts) which tied for second-most made threes by a Redbird in an NIT game. The Redbirds matched a season-best 3-point shooting percentage by going 13-for-25 (52.0 percent) from beyond the arc.
HAWK LOOKS TO LAND ON 1,000-POINT LIST
Senior forward Deontae Hawkins enters Monday's game with 992 career-points, eight away from becoming the 43rd member of Illinois State's 1,000-point club. Fellow senior guard Paris Lee joined the club Jan. 1 at Loyola Chicago and currently ranks 25th on the career-scoring list (1,259 points). The Redbirds are aiming to land two players on the 1,000-point list in the same season for the first time since three joined the group in 2004-05: Trey Guidry (1,180), Vince Greene (1,045) and Gregg Alexander (1,023). Meanwhile, Lee is just the second player in Redbird history to record more than 1,000 points, 300 assists and 200 steals. Ron Jones, who played from 1976-80, also achieved this feat.
MOST WINS BY NON-NCAA TEAM
Since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, the most wins achieved by a non-NCAA Tournament team is 30 (Valparaiso in 2016 and Weber State in 2013). Six non-NCAA Tournament teams have earned 29 victories (including NIT-champion Wichita State in 2011). A win Monday would place the Redbirds on this list, and it would also make ISU the 16th MVC team ever to reach 29 wins (including WSU this year). Bradley (32 wins in 1950-51) holds the MVC record for most wins without playing in the NCAAs.
TAKING THE ROCK
ISU leads the MVC and ranks 58th nationally with 7.1 steals per game. Senior guard Paris Lee ranks first in the MVC and 43rd nationally with 1.9 steals per contest.
DEEP DISH
Senior guard Paris Lee leads the MVC and ranks 48th nationally in assists (5.1 assists per game). He has recorded at least two assists in every game this season.
LEE FOR THREE!
Senior guard Paris Lee ranks second in the MVC in both three-point field goals per game (2.3) and total three-point field goals made (78). Lee is shooting 78-for-188 (41.5 percent) from beyond the arc this season. His previous season-best was 26-for-71 (36.6 percent) from three-point range as a sophomore. Lee has recorded at least one 3-pointer in 10-straight games and 13 of the past 14. Additionally, he has reached double-digit scoring in six-straight games and 11 of the past 14 contests.
STEALS LEE-DER
Senior guard Paris Lee broke Illinois State's career steals record at Bradley (Jan. 18). Lee passed Ron Jones who held the previous record of 222 since 1980. Lee now has 247 career steals and is the NCAA active-career leader. He also ranks sixth in MVC career-steals (behind SIU's Bryan Mullins (254).
LEAVING HIS MARK
Along with setting the career steals record, senior guard Paris Lee also ranks fourth in ISU career assists (492), 25th in points (1,259), first in games started (131), and third in minutes played (3,966).
DOUBLE-DIGIT DEONTAE
Having started all 34 games this season, senior forward Deontae Hawkins has reached double-digit scoring in a team-high 27 contests, including 16 of the past 20. Hawkins has also earned a team-high five double-doubles which is the most by a Redbird since Jackie Carmichael recorded 15 double-doubles during the 2012-13 season. In Illinois State's 28 victories, Hawkins has averaged a team-best 15.0 points, whereas in ISU's five losses, Hawkins has ranked third on the team with 9.2 points per game.
CAREER STARTER
By starting in the win over Southern Illinois (March 4), senior guard Paris Lee recorded his 129th-career start to become the program record holder. Lee passed head coach Dan Muller who finished his career with 128 starts. Muller started every game of his career, and Lee has started 131 of 133 games played.
PHIL `ER UP
Sophomore forward Phil Fayne (MVC All-Newcomer Team), ranks second in league field goal percentage (59.3 percent) and seventh in rebounding (6.4 per game). Fayne recorded his third double-double with a career-high 15 rebounds plus 11 points versus Southern Illinois (Feb. 22). He has collected 10 or more rebounds seven times and 10 or more points 13 times. Fayne has also thrown down a team-best 32 dunks.
RETURN OF THE MAC
Junior forward MiKyle McIntosh, who ranks third in Illinois State scoring and rebounding, underwent surgery Feb. 1 to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee and missed five-straight games, with ISU going 4-1 during the stretch. At Missouri State (Feb. 15), McIntosh returned and played 22 minutes with nine points and two rebounds. He has averaged 10.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game since returning.
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