NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Basketball Coaches Show, presented by The O'Brien Auto Team, featuring Illinois State men's basketball assistant coach Jason Slay and women's basketball head coach Kristen Gillespie, will air tonight live at Avanti's on Main St in Normal.
Fans unable to attend the show can listen on WJBC 1230 AM, the Varsity Network, and on GoRedbirds.com., as Slay and Gillespie recap last week's action and look ahead in MVC play this week. Avanti's is offering 20% off for students with their Illinois State ID Monday night.
Head women's basketball coach Kristen Gillespie's segment of the show, hosted by Greg Halbleib, starts at 6 p.m. Gillespie will be joined by sophomore forward Nevaeh Thomas. She is averaging 13.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per game this season in her first year as a Redbird. Thomas leads Illinois State with 7 double doubles on the season, including four in MVC play.
The Redbirds (12-7, 6-2 MVC) are coming off a 74-58 win over Bradley Sunday, Gillespie's 250th win in her coaching career. Graduate guard Elyce Knudsen led Illinois State with 20 points in the win and surpassed 2,500 points for her collegiate career. Illinois State closes a four-game homestand this week with contests against Southern Illinois Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Missouri State Sunday at 2 p.m.
Assistant coach Jason Slay will fill in for head men's basketball coach Ryan Pedon's portion of the show starting at 6:45 p.m. and hosted by John Fitzgerald and Mike Matthews. Slay will be joined by graduate guard Malachi Poindexter, who is averaging 7.0 points and 1.9 rebounds per game this season for the Redbirds. Poindexter has four double-figure scoring performances this year, including a season-high 20 points Dec. 29 vs UIC.
The Redbirds are set for a pair of games inside CEFCU Arena this week as Illinois State hosts Belmont Wednesday at 8 p.m. and Valparaiso Saturday at 4 p.m. Illinois State will honor former Redbird and 2024 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Doug Collins Saturday against the Beacons. It is also the 'WHITEOUT' game for the Redbirds, with all fans encouraged to wear white.
Fans are invited to watch Monday's show live at Avanti's. However, for those unable to attend the show in person, it will be broadcast live on WJBC 1230 AM, the Varsity Network, and on the Illinois State Athletics Facebook page.
Occurring weekly (with a few exceptions because of game and travel schedules), the 2025 basketball coaches show schedule and location will be as follows:
Feb. 3 – Rob Dob's
Feb. 10 – Avanti's
Feb. 17 – Rob Dob's
Mar. 3 – Avanti's
Mar. 10 – Rob Dob's
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Athletic Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
