NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State Redbirds open the 2019-20 basketball season on Wednesday evening, as the squad hosts the Belmont Bruins in a 7 p.m. tip-off at Redbird Arena.
GAME INFORMATION
Illinois State Redbirds vs. Belmont Bruins
When:
Tip-Off: 7Â p.m. (CT)
Location: Normal, Ill.
Arena: Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena
TV: ESPN+
  Kurt Pegler, play-by-play
  Bob Morris, analyst
Radio:Â WJBC (FM 93.7 and AM1230) / TuneIn Radio
  Dick Luedke, play-by-play
  Mike Matthews, analyst
Live Stats: Illinois State Live Stats
SCOUTING THE BRUINS
Belmont comes into the 2019-20 season opener after making a run into the NCAA Tournament, topping Temple in the First Four before narrowly falling to Maryland 79-77 in the first round.
Back for the Bruins is 2019 OVC Freshman of the Year Nick Muszynski, who averaged 14.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while leading the team with 70 blocked shots. He made 60.4 percent of his shots from the field while also giving out 87 assists. Point guard Grayson Murphy also returns after dishing out 214 assists a season ago.Â
Among the key player new to the team for the season include graduate transfer Tyler Scanlon, a 6-7 forward who spent three seasons at Boston University where he averaged 13.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while leading the Terriers with 106 assists.Â
PRESEASON STRONG
Of Illinois State's 12 non-conference opponents, seven were picked to finish inside of their top four of the conference preseason polls, including Belmont and UCF who were each picked to win their conferences. Below is a list of where the ISU opponents were picked to finish this season.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena has turned itself into one of the most difficult places to play in the Missouri Valley Conference. During head coach Dan Muller's tenure, the Redbirds have an 88-24 record at home, including a 16-1 mark during the 2016-17 season and a 12-4 mark in 2018-19.Â
SOME "EXTRA" FUN
Illinois State has rattled off seven consecutive overtime wins, dating back to its last extra session loss a year ago to Charleston Southern on Nov. 25, 2017. That stands as the third-longest active overtime win streak in the country, as Marquette has won its last ten overtime games, with the Golden Eagles' last extra-time loss coming on Jan. 31, 2015 against Butler. Wyoming had won seven straight overtime games, until its streak was snapped this season on Dec. 11 against Denver. (as of 2/27/19).
REDBIRD ARENA SEATING POLICY UPDATES
Illinois State University Athletics recently completed a transformational construction project to replace the lower bowl of Redbird Arena. Upon completion, Redbird Arena is a more modern, efficient, intimate building that creates a better home court advantage for our teams and a safer work environment while complying with updated ADA laws. The project added upgraded upholstered seats, wider aisles with handrails, premium loge seating, improved handicap accessible seating, and moved the seating platforms closer to the court. ISU Athletics has established new guidelines to improve the flow of traffic within the building and around the court due to the project. Below is information detailing the changes as they relate to new Redbird Arena policies beginning this basketball season.
Legends Room and Redbird Room
- Donor Rooms will now open 1 hour and 45 minutes before game time and will close 15Â minutes before tip-off.
- Legends Room and Redbird Room guests, including courtside seats, will take the stairwell near the Legends Room up to the concourse or will use the elevator by the southwest loading dock if needed to access their seats.
Floor and Ramp Access
- The ramp in the Northeast corner and the ramp in the Southwest corner will be closed for games. The only people allowed on the floor before, during, or after games will be credentialed employees and media. This will include women's basketball games.
WSF Coat Check
- The O'Daffer Conference Room will replace the coat racks outside the Legends Room. WSF Donors are invited to store their coat in the conference room for games and the room will be secured throughout the game.
Floor Access After Games
- To improve safety and eliminate liability, court access will no longer be available after games. We will continue to offer post-game events with the coaches and players on the concourse throughout the season.
Legends Room and Redbird Room Elevator
- An elevator is set to be installed near the stairwell for the Legends Room in the spring/summer of 2020. This will allow for better access to the concourse and seats for our donors.
