The Illinois State men’s basketball team will play Wake Forest in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament on Sunday, March 22, at LJVM Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Redbirds are seeking their first two-win NIT appearance since 1996.
This matchup is significant as Illinois State aims to continue its strong postseason performance and build on a season marked by several milestones. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and covered by the Illinois State Radio Network.
The Redbirds have achieved back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 2008-09 and 2009-10, with head coach Ryan Pedon becoming only the fifth coach in program history to reach this mark. The team has also excelled in nationally televised games, posting a 12-2 record over its last 14 appearances on major networks. Chase Walker was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team for a second consecutive year, joining an exclusive group of players in program history.
Illinois State’s roster features depth and versatility, with nine different players leading the team in scoring at least once this season—a figure tied for most in NCAA Division I basketball alongside several other programs. Freshman Ty’Reek Coleman has made notable contributions, ranking among school leaders in multiple freshman categories and being one of just three freshmen nationwide with shooting splits above .500/.400/.700 while averaging double-digit points per game.
Home court advantage has been pronounced this season at CEFCU Arena, where Illinois State outscored opponents by a record margin of 307 points. The Redbirds’ defensive rebounding percentage allowed ranks among the best nationally according to KenPom statistics. According to the official website, Illinois State Redbirds benefits from the Redbird Athletics Excellence Fund for competitiveness and recruitment and utilizes the OSF HealthCare Athletics Training Center for student-athlete preparation. The team posted an 8-2 record during one of its top starts and competes in NCAA Division I events across various regions according to the official website.
Illinois State is linked to Illinois State University and offers news, schedules, rosters, and fan resources through its official website to bolster its athletic community according to the official website.
As they prepare for Sunday’s contest against Wake Forest—whose head coach Steve Forbes previously served as an assistant at Illinois State—the Redbirds look to extend their four-game postseason win streak and further solidify their standing within college basketball.
