Wednesday, January 6, 2016, 7:00 p.m.
Redbird Arena, Normal, Ill.
The Illinois State Redbirds had a rough start to the 2015-16 after unexpectedly losing Reggie Lynch to transfer in the off season. Through their first nine games, the ‘Birds—picked to finish fourth in the MVC Preseason Poll-- were 3-6, winning only against non-D1 Quincy, Houston Baptist, and Morehead State (by one point). Yet ISU looked impressive at times against #2 Maryland and #1 Kentucky. Since their shaky start, Coach Dan Muller’s crew has righted the ship and won five of their last six, including their first two conference games.
ISU has been experimenting with starting lineups all season, including using four forwards and a guard. In their last time out, they started three forwards (MiKyle McIntosh, Nick Barnyard, and Roland Griffin) and two guards (Paris Lee and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell). Akoon-Purcell was tabbed to the MVC first team and has lived up to expectations. The 6’5” senior guard has averaged 16.3 points per game (including 28 in his last outing at Drake), tops the team in shooting percentage and offensive rebounds, and ranks tied for second on the squad with 4.7 boards per game. Paris Lee is a 6’0” junior guard who averages 9.7 points, 3.47 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
The ‘Birds’ frontcourt includes frequent starter Deontae Hawkins, who averages 10.0 points and 4.7 rebounds. The 6’8” sophomore forward Hawkins didn’t start against Drake last time out, but came off the bench for 12 points and 5 rebounds. Hawkins leads ISU in three pointers (23 made) and three point attempts (4.3 per game). MiKyle McIntosh, a 6’7” sophomore out of Canada, is a dynamic but inconsistent player—he scored 17 against Maryland, had a double-double against UIC, and scored 16 against St. Joe’s, but has only scored four points in his last two games. This year McIntosh is putting up an average of 8.6 points and leads the team with 4.8 rebounds. Nick Banyard, a 6’8” junior transfer from New Mexico averages 4.7 points and 4.7 rebounds. West Aurora freshman forward Roland Griffin is 6’7” and averages 6.3 points and 3.0 boards.
Coming off the bench are 6’4” junior guard Tony Wills, 6’8” senior forward Quintin Brewer, and 6’4” senior guard Justin McCloud. Each of them have had starting assignments, each averages between 2.7-3.9 points in 11.9 to 21.7 minutes per game. Seven-foot freshman center Daouda Ndiaye averages less than 2 points per game in less than 10 minutes, but leads the team in blocks with 14.
One of the reasons ISU sometimes starts four forwards is the need for rebounding. During ISU’s disappointing 3-6 start to the season, they were out-rebounded all but once, and by double-digits in their first three games. Over the past five games, however, the Birds have stepped up their work on the glass and have out-rebounded their opponent each time, winning four out of five. The Redbirds have also picked up their shooting percentage lately; when ISU shoots better than 42% from the field they’re 7-1, and below 42% they’re 1-6.
The Ramblers would benefit from limiting the shot attempts by the three major players who shoot over 40%: Akoon-Purcell (48.2%), Griffin (46.8%), and Hawkins (43.6%). McIntosh shoots right at 40%. Most of the other Redbirds shoot well below 38% from the field: Lee, Banyard, Wills, Brewer, and McCloud. Akoon-Purcell, Lee, McIntosh, and McCloud all shoot below 30% behind the arc.
Loyola has done a good job of keeping Illinois State below their scoring average in their four meetings since joining the MVC, allowing an average of only 60.75 points—but managing only a 1-3 record in doing so. It will take a similar effort on defense and a stepped up offensive attack to get a win against Illinois State this year in Normal. Loyola is averaging only 64.9 points on offensive this year, and Illinois State is 8-0 when holding their opponents below 67 points.
Loyola game notes:
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... 105aaa.pdfIllinois State game notes:
http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... a_ilsu.pdfTV/Streaming video: ESPN3 (
http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id ... nois-state)
Vegas odds: Illinois State by 7
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