NORMAL – The Illinois State Redbirds (9-8; 2-2) will return to Redbird Arena on Tuesday to take on the Southern Illinois Salukis (9-8; 2-2). The Redbirds come into the match up coming off a road loss to Loyola-Chicago last Saturday, which dropped them to 0-5 on the road this season.
The Redbirds, though, hold a 7-2 record a home this season and hope to continue their hot home play, where they have won three straight. SIU has been no slouch on the road this season, holding a 4-3 record along with a win at Northern Iowa.
As has been the issue all season, the Redbirds are still looking for stability on defense giving up 73.5 PPG ranking them ninth in the Missouri Valley Conference. Since the start of conference play however, they have looked better on defense allowing only 60 PPG and reversing their turnover differential and forcing nearly 13 turnovers a game in their last four games.
These trends have to be what Dan Muller wants to see from his underperforming squad. In preseason press conferences, Muller praised this team as being one of his most talented he has ever had, making the current 9-8 record feel less than spectacular. There is a lot of season left, but coming off their fourth straight loss to Loyola, it is now or never for the Redbirds.
Tune into 103.3 WZND The Pulse of Redbird Nation tonight for all the action against SIU, pregame at 5:50 p.m.
Post comments (0)