Dan Muller Entering His Tenth Year

Deep Roster With Internal Competition

(St. Louis, MO) – Dan Muller is entering his tenth year at the helm of the Illinois State basketball program. The former Redbird player has led his team to a conference championship (2017) and has won 156 games during his first nine seasons.

Two winning seasons followed the championship campaign, but the ensuing seasons have been a struggle. Injuries, player transfers and outside problems have damaged the ILS on-court successes. A 17-39 record over the past two years have disappointed the Redbird faithful. The talent level seems to be back in Normal and Muller is enthusiastic entering his tenth year.

With nine returning players and veteran newcomers on board, Muller believes this is his most talented team in years.

Muller is both grateful and philosophical about his ten years at Illinois State.

 

 

Perimeter Players

ILS has five starting quality perimeter players led by 2020 all-bench team member Antonio Reeves. Josiah Strong, Howard Fleming, Emon Washington and transfer Mark Freeman bring depth, talent and diversity of skills to the perimeter positions.

After testing the NBA draft, Antonio Reeves is returning to the Redbirds. Reeves is a proven scorer and is the team leader among returners in scoring (12.4 ppg) and in minutes played in a Redbird uniform. Muller says Reeves returning is important Illinois State’s 2021-22 fortunes.

 

 

Strong (11.5 ppg) is a multi-dimensional player. The 6’3 guard also averaged roughly three rebounds and assists per game while making 39 three-pointers. After playing at Navy and Iowa Western, his second straight season in Normal marks an opportunity to build on last year’s successes.

Joining the backcourt is Tennessee State transfer Mark Freeman. Muller calls Freeman the first true point-guard on their roster since former Valley Player of the Year, Paris Lee. Freeman averaged 17 points, four rebounds and 4.4 assists for the Tigers.

Muller says those two players will be critical to this year’s success.

 

 

The tall and physical Howard Fleming Junior and the explosive Emon Washington round out the quintet of perimeter players that Muller can put on the floor. Washington averaged 5.3 points and four rebounds and is a high-light reel player. Both players earned big minutes on last year’s team with Fleming averaging 3.8 points per game.

Frontcourt Competition

Muller is excited about the depth of talent and competition in the frontcourt too. Those players may prove to be as effective as their perimeter-oriented teammates, but they’re less experienced and Muller is banking on potential.

Abdou N’Diaye is the most experienced Redbird frontcourt player. The Senegal native averaged 14 minutes per game last season and blocked 33 shots. He is a limited offensive player, but at 6’9 is a rim protector. Harouna Sissoko had an impressive freshman season. The Mali native made 13 starts last season and averaged 4.2 points per game.

Transfers Ryan Schmitt (Des Moines Community College) and Liam McChesney (Utah State) provide different options. Schmitt is a true ‘low post’ player while McChesney is more of a ‘stretch 4’ performer.

A difference maker may be Sy Chatman. The former UMASS performer opted out last season during the Covid pressures. He averaged 5.7 points per game during his time with the Minutemen and at 6’8, 200 pounds may have the most potential of the current crop of frontcourt players.

Muller says he is looking for more consistency from the highly talented Chatman.

 

 

The ILS coach believes the internal competition will make the Redbirds better. Appalachian State transfer Kendall Lewis is an elite defender and could work his way into the ILS frontcourt rotation.

The Schedule

Muller is an advocate of playing difficult competition. The Cancun Challenge will provide some outstanding opponents and games with Murray State and Wisconsin will be great challenges for the inexperienced Redbirds.

ILS’ schedule also includes several games that are extremely winnable. Muller admits that some early successes will help his young team gain confidence before the more difficult portion of the Redbird schedule.

Heading into his tenth year at Illinois State, Muller realizes he is fortunate to be at one place for so long. He takes his stewardship of the Redbird program seriously. With the talent-level increased, more returning players than in recent seasons, this could be a season that Illinois State begins to climb higher in the Valley power structure.

Head to Valley Hoops Insider Podcast for our entire conversation with Dan Muller.

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