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“I’m
really excited about the series we have started, especially the one
against Cincinnati,” Moser said. “I made it an emphasis in
scheduling to bring back great teams to Redbird Arena. These types
of series are great for us. They help in recruiting, the players
like playing in them and they are great for the fans.”
Prior to traveling to Cincinnati on Nov. 22, the Redbirds will open
the regular season in Redbird Arena against Division II
Indianapolis. The Greyhounds finished the 2004-05 season with a
19-10 record, but dropped four of their last five contests.
Three
days later, the Redbirds will square off against the Bearcats, which
return three starters after finishing last season with a 25-8
record. Cincinnati finished in a tie for second place in Conference
USA before falling 69-60 to Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA
Tournament.
Following Cincinnati, the Redbirds return home for five straight
home dates, including four while classes are in session.
“For
the second straight year we were able to get some home dates while
the students are on campus,” Moser said. “Last year that really
jumped started the student body and really got them supporting the
program. We are looking to build off of that this year.”
The
‘Birds kick-off the homestand against Western Michigan on Nov. 26.
The Broncos are coming off a 20-13 campaign after winning the
Mid-American Conference West Division and a berth in the National
Invitation Tournament. ISU will return a game at Western Michigan in
2006-07.
On
Nov. 29, the Redbirds will host Grambling State. The Tigers will
face Illinois State for the first time in the history of the two
schools. Grambling posted a 14-12 record a year ago, including a
first round loss to Southern in the Southwest Athletic Conference
Tournament.
In a return game from last season’s ESPN Bracket Buster match-up,
the ‘Birds will host Wisconsin-Green Bay on Dec. 3. The Phoenix
finished the season with a 17-11 overall mark, but the 79-69 loss to
Illinois State fueled a four-game losing skid to end the season.
This will be UWGB’s first trip to Normal since 1998.
In another first time pairing, the Redbirds host Indiana-Purdue Fort
Wayne on Dec. 6. The Mastadons, a Division I independent, owned a
7-22 record last season. Four days later, ISU will close out the
homestand against the Southern Conference’s Georgia Southern. The
Eagles were 18-13 last season, before falling to UNC Greensboro in
the quarterfinals of the SoCon Tournament. The Redbirds own a 1-1
record against the Eagles with the lone victory coming in 2000 at
Redbird Arena.
The
Redbirds close out their non-conference schedule with a pair of road
games nearly two months apart. On Dec. 17, ISU will travel to Cal
State-Northridge for the first game of a two-game series between the
two schools. The Matadors recorded an 18-13 overall mark last
season, including a 9-2 record at home. This will mark the second
meeting in the series after ISU’s 72-59 victory at Horton Field
House during the 1977-78 season. Northridge is an hour northwest of
Diamond Bar, Calif., the hometown of sophomore point guard Khalif
Ford.
“I’m
excited to give Khalif an opportunity to play back home in front of
his family and friends,” Moser said. “This schedule will do a good
job preparing us for another competitive season in the Missouri
Valley Conference.”
The
non-conference schedule will conclude for Illinois State like it has
the last four seasons – with the ESPN Bracket Buster Weekend. During
the weekend of Feb. 17-19, the ‘Birds will travel to an unknown
destination to face an unknown opponent. But, that’s okay, since
Illinois State owns a perfect 3-0 record in Bracket Buster pairings
and a 2-0 mark in the guaranteed return games.
[Redbird's Men's Basketball] |
