Maggett Earns Spot On 2019-20 MVC Preseason Team

ST. LOUIS – Illinois State senior guard Tete Maggett was selected as one of five members of the 2019-20 Missouri Valley Conference Preseason All-Conference Team announced Wednesday in the annual survey of the league's coaches, sports information directors and media.

The MVC Preseason Poll was also announced, with Drake tabbed as the favorite in the MVC women's basketball race. The Bulldogs received 31 of 40 first-place votes and 359 total points, out-distancing Missouri State (329 pts.; eight 1st place votes), UNI (297 pts.; one 1st place vote) and Bradley (255). Southern Illinois (235) and Illinois State (212) were next in fifth and sixth places, respectively, with Loyola (188), Valparaiso (126), Indiana State (111) and Evansville (88) rounding out the poll.

Kristen Gillespie enters her third season (33-28) at the helm of the program, after guiding the Redbirds to a 19-12 overall finish and an 11-7 mark in the Valley play in 2018-19. The 19 wins were the most in the last six seasons for the Redbirds and the 11-7 mark in MVC action was the best since 2012-13. 

The Redbirds return two starters from last year, including the 2019 MVC Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-MVC selection Maggett. The rising senior was tabbed MVC Newcomer of the Week four times during the 2018-19 season and swept the weekly honors the week of Jan. 2. Maggett scored in double figures in 25 contests, averaging 15.9 points per game which was second on the team and fourth in the Valley. She led the team in three-pointers and three-point field goal percentage, making 60-of-178 as a junior. A native of North Chicago, Illinois, Maggett also led the team in assists (2.4)
and minutes (34.1) during her first season with the Redbirds.

Illinois State will host Lindenwood for an exhibition contest at the newly-renovated Redbird Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 30, before opening the regular season at home against Truman State at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5. 

Season tickets, flex packs and single-game tickets are on sale now. Tickets in select Loge Boxes and courtside seats for women's basketball are still available for purchase. To purchase the single-game or season tickets, go to GoRedbirds.com/tickets, or call the Redbird Athletics ticket office at (309) 438-8000.

GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App:  Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.