NORMAL- After ending their 7-game losing streak against Evansville, the Redbirds are in search of their first conference road win against one of the best defenses in the MVC, Valparaiso.
Valparaiso is led by leading scorer Javon Freeman-Liberty, who averages 20 points per game and has a tremendous impact on the defensive side of the ball. The Redbirds will have to limit the turnovers in order to come home with a victory.
“It’s been a huge issue for us, it’s lost us a lot of games,” said Head Coach Dan Muller. “Last game we had six (turnovers) but that’s not gonna happen every game.”
The Redbirds will need to work as a team to stop Freeman-Liberty. That does not necessarily mean double teams the whole game, they will try to be one step ahead of Freeman-Liberty and be where he’s trying to go.
“It’s a team thing, the guy guarding him has to take the challenge but the four guys not guarding him also have to be there to help and be in the gaps,” said Muller.
Tip-off between the Illinois State Redbirds and the Valparaiso Crusaders is set for Saturday night at 7:00.