Thu Mar 06 20:00:00 UTC 2025: **Redbirds Soar into MVC Tournament on Wave of Success**
ST. LOUIS, MO – The Illinois State Redbirds (ISU) enter the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Tournament riding a wave of impressive statistics and individual achievements. Their opening-round matchup against the Missouri State Bears is set for Thursday at 2:30 p.m.
The Redbirds’ season has been marked by significant individual milestones. Dalton Banks recently reached the 1,000-point mark in his collegiate career, joining teammate Caden Boser in this elite club. Banks is also nearing 400 career assists.
Team-wide success has been equally striking. ISU has dramatically improved its ranking since last season, jumping 318 spots and boasting the 21st-best three-point field goal percentage nationally. Chase Walker leads the charge, ranking second in the MVC in field goal percentage (58.1%), aiming to become the first Redbird since 2010 to top the conference in this category.
Other notable Redbird achievements include:
* Jack Daugherty’s .500 three-point percentage, second-highest in the NCAA among players with at least 50 made three-pointers.
* Six games with five or fewer turnovers, tied for second-most in the NCAA this season.
* Holding opponents to zero offensive rebounds in five games, including a remarkable performance against Evansville.
* The eighth-best effective field goal percentage in the NCAA.
* A program-record 13 games with single-digit turnovers.
* Two sophomores, Chase Walker and Johnny Kinziger, each averaging 15+ points per game – a feat shared by only one other NCAA team.
Conversely, the Missouri State Bears enter the tournament on a five-game losing streak, their last win dating back to February 12th. While players like Vincent Brady II and Dez White provide scoring threats, the Bears will need to overcome their recent struggles to challenge the high-flying Redbirds. The game promises a compelling clash between a team on a roll and one looking to turn its season around.
First Piper 