NORMAL – Going into his eighth year as head coach of his alma mater’s men’s basketball team, Illinois State’s Dan Muller told reporters at the team’s media day event on Oct. 16 he can start to assign an identity to his team as their season approaches. “We have a lot of defensive identity this year,†Muller declared.
“We share the ball better than we ever have,†Muller said, giving credit to associate head coach Brian Jones for making players see the advantages in that. “I really like how the ball’s moved. “We’ve been an isolation team in the last few years with our personnel, but I do think this team will share the ball better and more.â€
Muller wants his Redbirds to continue to try to “establish an identity as a defensive team.†That means letting each player know the role Muller wants them to play. He said the players find that out about each of their roles in a 10-minute meeting with him.
Finding that defensive identity early on in the season is the priority for the Redbirds if they hope to avoid repeating the .500 season they had last year, finishing one game above an even overall, at 17-16, including dead even in play against Missouri Valley Conference opponents at 9-9.
But although it’s early in the practice stage, ISU has a lot to try to prove as the 2019-20 season dawns. The Redbirds are predicted by Missouri Valley Conference to finish seventh in the league’s pre-season poll, with Missouri State getting the most media votes and anticipated to finish first. ISU’s nemesis residing up Interstate 74, Peoria’s Bradley University received enough votes in the preseason poll to be predicted to finish second.
An early injury to senior guard Ricky Torres has meant freshman D. J. Horne would be stepping into the position until Torres heals, Muller said. Also injured and waiting to heal are sophomore Taylor Bruninga. Muller said Bruninga is “shooting and moving around.†While that sounds positive, Muller said he doesn’t know how long it will be before the 6 foot-8, 220 pound forward and Illini Bluffs High alum will see any court time.
Wichita State transfer Ricky Torres has a sprained ankle, the coach reported and could be ready for the start of the season after potentially having missed the team’s exhibition game against Truman State. LeRoy High alum and Loyola Chicago transfer Matt Chastain is sporting a large cast to protect an injured right thumb sustained in practice.
Matt Chastain Learning While Sidelined: Because of his size, one would think 6 foot-6, 190 pound guard Chastain would ably defend a charge and not do any damage to himself. But during a recent practice three weeks ago, he was the recipient of a charge which resulted in a fall which ended in him landing on it wrong. Doctors have his arm emerging from the cast in another three weeks.
“We’re just trying to show up for practice and get better and work on our game to try to put us in the best position to win games this season,†The redshirt junior said. “Whatever coach needs me to do, I’m going to try to do to the best of my ability.†He is looking at things from a positive point of view, explaining watching from the sidelines will “help me to learn more about the game from the coaches’ point of view.â€
This isn’t Chastain’s first injury wearing Red and White. He was sidelined for a majority of his freshman year due to an injured left knee.
Lijah Donnelly Focusing On Team Needs: As redshirt junior Lijah Donnelly sees his role in a Redbirds jersey, he is needed “to bring energy to the team and make sure everybody is playing in the slots they’re supposed to be in.†He said, as a team, the Redbirds are looking to win the Missouri Valley Tournament and advance to receiving an invitation to the NCAA tournament. While he might have personal goals for himself, the 6 foot-2, 170 pound guard is putting any of those aside to do whatever he can for the team, he said.
“If anything happens for myself from that, I’ll be proud,†Donnelly said. “But other than that, I’ll just focus on what’s important for the team.â€
Eleven Day Trip To Italy, 3 Wins: The Redbirds got in a little bonding, a little game time and plenty of sightseeing during an 11-day trip to Italy in August, journeying to Rome, Florence, and Venice. In addition to seeing the sights, they showed off their skills going 3-0 by defeating Stella Azzurra Basketball Academy, in Rome, 65-58; A Lithuanian team called BC Silute, in Florence, 73-64; and LCC International in Treviso, 86-61.
Circle Your Calendars: Having played an exhibition against Truman State Oct. 23, ISU will begin the season against Belmont University in a non-conference tilt on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 7p.m. More travel is ahead of the Redbirds starting Nov. 25 heading to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam tournament where they will meet up against Fordham and Grand Canyon University. Also taking part in that tourney are Nevada, who beat ISU last year, and an early tilt with MVC member Valparaiso. Northern Iowa will be the first MVC opponents to visit Redbird Arena, on Dec. 31 for a 2p.m. game. Interstate 74 nemesis Bradley will visit here Wednesday, Jan. 22 for a 7p.m. game and the Redbirds will visit Peoria in return to take on the Braves on Wednesday, Feb. 26 for a 6p.m. tipoff.