NORMAL, Ill. - The 2019-20 season opens on Wednesday evening when Illinois State hosts the Truman Bulldogs in the first and only exhibition for the Redbirds.
GAME INFORMATION
Illinois State Redbirds (0-0, 0-0 MVC) vs. Truman State Bulldogs (0-0, 0-0 GLVC)
When: Wednesday, Oct. 23
Tip-Off: 6 p.m.
Location: Normal, Ill.
Arena: Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena
Radio: WZND
Live Stats: Illinois State StatBroadcast
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Truman State, which had a 14-15 record last season, return three of its top four scorers including 6-5 senior guard Brodric Thomas who averaged 18 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last season. Also back is 6-9 forward Cade McKnight who averaged 13 points and 5.2 rebounds per game for Truman State. Team assist leader Turner Scott, a 5-10 guard, also returns after giving out 99 assists and averaging 9.2 points per game. Last season the Bulldogs played in an exhibition at Indiana State, and fell to the Sycamores 77-69
SCOUTING THE REDBIRDS
The Redbirds return three players that saw action for the team a season ago, including Zach Copeland who averaged 9.3 points per game over 32 games with 29 starts. Copeland was second on the team with 96 assists and made 53 three-point field goals a season ago. Also returning for ISU is junior Matt Chastain (3.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg) and sophomore Rey Idowu (2.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg). New to the team include senior transfers Jaycee Hillsman who averaged nearly 10 points per game two seasons ago for San Jose State and former JUCO All-American Ricky Torres. Junior Keith Fisher III is also new to the team after averaging 10.4 points and 6.3 points per game for San Jose State, while sophomore Dedric Boyd averaged 13.2 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while a freshman at Eastern Kentucky before sitting out last season due to the NCAA transfer residency requirement. Also new for ISU is three-star freshman guard Antonio Reeves and North Carolina First Team All-State honoree DJ Horne.Â
UP NEXT FOR THE REDBIRDS
Illinois State opens the 2019-20 regular season with three of the team's first four opponents earning NCAA Tournament berths last season, including Wednesday, Nov. 6's game against Belmont in a 7 p.m. tip-off on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.
