McLean County Times

Illinois State University's men's basketball team is set to host the Pacific Tigers on Saturday, marking the beginning of a three-game homestand. The game will take place at CEFCU Arena in Normal, Illinois, with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m. Fans can catch the action on Marquee and ESPN+, or listen via the Illinois State Radio Network.

The Redbirds have shown notable improvement this season, particularly in their shooting percentages. They are currently ranked 12th nationally in both three-point field goal percentage (.402) and free throw percentage (80.4%). This marks a significant turnaround from last season when they were near the bottom in three-point shooting.

Guard Johnny Kinziger has made headlines with his defensive prowess, recording four blocked shots despite being under six feet tall. His performance ranks him third nationally among players of similar height. Meanwhile, freshman Jack Daugherty has been impressive from beyond the arc, tying a school record with eight three-pointers in a single game against Trinity Christian.

The Redbirds' recent victory over UAB was part of a challenging stretch where they faced teams favored to win their respective conferences. In these matchups, Illinois State emerged victorious twice out of three games.

Pacific comes into Saturday's game following a loss to Colorado but boasts strong individual performances from players like Elias Ralph and Elijah Fisher. Ralph leads the team with an average of 18 points per game and also contributes significantly on the boards.

Looking ahead, Illinois State's recruiting class for 2025 is highly regarded, featuring promising talents such as Nick Allen and Isaac Ericksen. The team's preseason poll predicted them to finish fourth in their conference.

Redbird legend Doug Collins was recently inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, highlighting his extensive contributions to basketball at various levels.