Illinois State Has a Fresh Approach

New Look Redbirds Are Having Fun

(St. Louis, MO) – Two games into the season, Illinois State looks like a completely different team. They should, the roster has been overhauled and they seem to be having fun. After two home wins, Dan Muller’s team is taking care of the ball, playing with energy and seems to have a fresh approach.

After winning a Dan Muller-era low 17 games last season, virtually every significant statistical leader had graduated and talented players were waiting in the wings. An opening night win over Belmont (79-72) and a solid 75-70 victory over Little Rock have hinted at encouraging tendencies.

A True Point Guard Opens The Door

ISU hasn’t had a true point guard since Paris Lee graduated. Keyshawn Evans was a solid citizen and a good player, but wasn’t a pure point guard. Enter Ricky Torres.  The 6’2 Wichita State transfer seems to be a ‘pass first’ guard who does not get rattled.

After two games Torres has 12 assists, just two turnovers and has taken just 12 shots. His addition has lifted the ball-handling load from Zach Copeland, who seems more at home in that ‘scoring guard’ role. He leads the team 39 points in those first two contests and is this week’s Missouri Valley Conference player of the week (See ‘First Week All-Stars‘). Even Copeland’s assist-turnover rate is better with less of a distribution load.

Torres has made six of those twelve shots. Jaycee Hillsman and Rey Idowu are both averaging 11.5 points per game, as the Redbirds have nine players playing double digit minutes. There seems to be a greater ‘team first’, ‘let’s have fun’ feel about this team.

Muller says he needs Torres to be a floor general and that he is confident he’ll score. Torres has been working on his shot and told us one of the Redbird team goals is to ‘protect the nest’. Copeland talks about the emotional return of injury-plagued sophomore Taylor Bruninga.

 

 

More Contributors And a Fresh Approach

The Redbirds have the potential to be better offensively and to wear people down defensively. They are still waiting for junior Matt Chastain to return from his thumb injury. His energy and explosiveness will add to the current enthusiasm.

Muller is excited about the Redbirds’ collective work ethic and depth. He says his job is to teach them how to play together and how to win. Both the players and coaches believe there will be different ‘stars’ on different nights. That is a fresh approach for this team.

 

 

Opening night against Belmont was a buzz of electricity. Even the fans felt the fresh approach. Veteran Redbird Arena watchers told me more students were lined up outside to enter than they had ever seen before.

Here is part of their pregame festivities.

 

 

Next Up

The Redbirds are off until Sunday’s home game with Central Florida. Then they participate in the Paradise Jam where they open the tournament against Cincinnati.

Do Good

Feature Photo: Courtesy of goredbirds.com (Dennis Banks)