THE FACTS
- Location: Normal
- Enrollment: 20,856
- Arena: Redbird Arena (10,200)
- Coach: Tim Jankovich (9th season, 152-91 overall; 3rd season 49-20 at Ilinois State
- 2008-09 record: 24-10 overall, 11-7 (3rd) in Missouri Valley; lost in MVC Tournament final; lost in first round NIT.
- 2009-10 record: 16-8, 7-6 in MVC
- Current RPI: 121
LAST FIVE GAMES:
- Jan. 23: lost at Southern Illinois 81-80, OT
- Jan. 27: lost at Wichita State 74-66
- Jan. 30: won vs. Bradley 66-47
- Feb. 3: lost at Indiana State 72-65
- Feb. 6: won vs. Drake 71-69
NEXT FIVE GAMES
- Feb. 13: at Creighton
- Feb. 17: vs. Missouri State
- Feb. 20: vs. Morehead State
- Feb. 24: vs. Indiana State
- Feb. 27: at Northern Iowa
TOP PLAYERS
- Scorers: Osiris Eldridge 16.2 ppg; Dinma Odiakosa 12.4.
- Rebounders: Odiakosa 8.3 rpg; Tony Lewis 5.4.
- Assists: Lloyd Phillips 4.2 apg
PRESEASON SCOUTING REPORT
The Redbirds were picked to finish third in the Valley, exactly where they finished a year ago in the regular season before they lost in the Missouri Valley COnference Tournament title game. Illinois State returns preseason Valley player of the year Osiris Eldridge, a guard who averaged 14 points and 6.2 boards per game. The Redbirds do have some depth up front with Dinma Odiakosa and junior college transfer Tony Lewis. In the backcourt Eldridge is joined by Lloyd Phillips (112 assists last season).
LATEST BUZZ
The Redbirds have won two of their last three games after snapping a two-game losing streak with the win over Bradley on Jan. 30. They lost the next time out at Indiana State but bounced back with a three-point win at home against Drake. Dinma Odiakosa has continued to provide a force inside for the Redbirds, leading the Valley in rebounding. He has opened up room for Osiris Eldridge to lead the league in scoring.
