McLean County Times

The Illinois State men's basketball team is set to face off against the Bradley Braves in their 142nd all-time meeting at CEFCU Arena. The game, scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, will tip-off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Fans can also follow live stats and listen via the Illinois State Radio Network.

Illinois State has shown significant improvement over the past ten seasons, with a notable jump of 330 position rankings from last season to this one. The Redbirds currently rank ninth in the country for three-point field goal percentage. Sophomores Chase Walker and Johnny Kinziger are standout players, both averaging over 15 points per game.

Bradley enters the rivalry game on a three-game winning streak with recent victories over Evansville, Southern Illinois, and Drake. Duke Deen leads Bradley's scoring efforts with an average of 13.7 points per game.

"Over the past 10 seasons in the NCAA, few schools have made a jump from one season to the next better than ISU," highlights Illinois State's progress. Additionally, "This season Illinois State has had five games with five or fewer turnovers in a game," showcasing their strong ball-handling skills.

Bradley's roster includes four players averaging double figures in scoring: Deen (13.7), Zek Montgomery (12.8), Darius Hannah (11.7), and Christian Davis (10.0). Hannah also leads in rebounds with an average of 5.7 per game.

In terms of player development, "Illinois State sophomores Chase Walker (16.0) and Johnny Kinziger (15.2) are one of two sets of sophomore teammates to each be averaging 15 or more points per game this season."

The Redbirds' effective field goal percentage ranks third nationally due to their emphasis on efficient shooting strategies.

Both teams bring unique strengths into this matchup, promising an engaging contest for fans and analysts alike.