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ISU at VCU

Join Jim Benson at 5:30 p.m. Friday to discuss Illinois State basketball before the Redbirds' season opener against VCU.

3rd & 7 37yd

ISU Basketball is back!!! LETS GO BIRDS!!

by Redbird Kyle 11/8/2013 11:27:48 PM
Hello from Siegel Center. This is our first pregame chat of the season. Welcome everyone. I've had to go back to press room because wireless not working there. First game glitch for VCU. Maybe the Rams will have more turnovers than Redbirds. OK, fire away with questions.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:28:07 PM
Not sure of ISU's starting lineup yet. Dan Muller still trying to decide up to an hour ago.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:29:58 PM
Over/under 15 wins this season for ISU?

by Redbird Kyle 11/8/2013 11:30:06 PM
Good question, Kyle. I would say over right now although the schedule is really more difficult than it looks before MVC season begins. Drexel is very good, as is Manhattan, Northwestern, Vermont and San Francisco. Good thing Sonoma State on there.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:31:04 PM
Do you think Knight will see any PT tonight?

by Barko 11/8/2013 11:31:06 PM
I believe Knight will see LOTS of minutes tonight. He was out warming up with the Redbirds before the game. He's probably their best all-around point guard. Please don't ask me what I think of him playing. I'm just reporting what happens.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:31:58 PM
I heard the Vegas line is 21 tonight. Those lines are awfully hard to do this early in the season, especially because no one really knows what Illinois State has.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:33:34 PM
Do you expect Lofton to be the go to player for ISU this season?

by Redbird Kyle 11/8/2013 11:34:19 PM
Yes I do. He's extremely talented. Everyone will think Tyler Brown when they see him play, but it looks like Lofton can handle the ball better than Tyler. When Tyler was geared in, though, he played extremely hard. Let's see how Lofton dials it in.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:35:34 PM
With Knight and Lee (who impressed me vs QU) do you think Kaza's PT will be diminished?

by Redbird Kyle 11/8/2013 11:36:45 PM
Hard to tell. I think Muller will use two points on the court quite a bit actually. If Kaza can play good defense and not turn the ball over, he'll get some minutes.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:37:22 PM
How deep will Muller go to his bench tonight?

by Scott 11/8/2013 11:37:24 PM
I asked Muller the other day if possibility of anyone redshirting. He said probably not. The reason is someone who redshirts could be the best player come January. I think he will go 10 or 11 early in the season. Rotations tend to shorten come conference time everywhere.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:38:29 PM
Jim,

by Cadillac Jack 11/8/2013 11:39:47 PM
Yes Cadillac ...

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:39:55 PM
Thanks for doing these chats. I enjoy them. With a 4 man rotation inside, what happens if Lynch, Samuel, MiddleB or Jones gets hurt?

by Cadillac Jack 11/8/2013 11:40:32 PM
I think the next guy in the mix would be Tony Wills. He's only 6-3, but has long arms and really likes to defend.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:41:54 PM
If that happens, you would also see a lot of zone. It could happen with foul troubles. Maybe even tonight.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:42:24 PM
Muller should take the best walk-on he can find who is 6-6 or taller, just in case.

by Cadillac Jack 11/8/2013 11:42:46 PM
Gotta be someone on football team who fits that bill

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:43:02 PM
Any news on starting 5?

by Jeff 11/8/2013 11:43:04 PM
Not yet. Have to post 10 minutes before game. Let me run out and see if on the scoreboard.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:43:24 PM
Hi Jim. What are your thoughts on Hunter? I know he scored a lot in JC, so can he be a good scoring option for the Birds?

by CamNewton1 11/8/2013 11:44:26 PM
How are the VCU facilities?

by Redbird Kyle 11/8/2013 11:44:28 PM
I wonder if Shaka Smart will still be around next year when VCU comes to Redbird?? What's your take.

by Shaka 11/8/2013 11:44:29 PM
NO starters yet.... I think Shaka has had chances to go elsewhere (Illinois) and turned them down. Not sure what he's waiting for. ... Siegel Center is perfect. Seats come down from the concourse and it's gonna be loud ... I like Hunter's game. He's fearless. Time will tell if it translate when he gets couple shots blocked, but he's strong and can keep defenders at bay

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:46:14 PM
I'm going courtside. Hope wireless works out there now

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:46:26 PM
Is this working?

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:49:00 PM
Yes

by Redbird Kyle 11/8/2013 11:49:42 PM
Yep, it's working. ...

by CamNewton1 11/8/2013 11:49:43 PM
Saw a tweet. Knight, Hunter, Lofton, Jones, Middlebrooks.

by Redbird Kyle 11/8/2013 11:49:46 PM
Probably from John Twork... he's sitting next to official scorer. Still not posted on scoreboard or their stat broadcast.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:50:48 PM
yes

by Barko 11/8/2013 11:51:40 PM
Sure is

by Shaka 11/8/2013 11:51:43 PM
Is the arena filling up?

by Redbird Kyle 11/8/2013 11:51:50 PM
yes it is. I heard they're going to give Knight the business.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:52:01 PM
Lee showed some nice flashes against Quincy, and I was impressed when I saw him in HS last year. What do you expect from him?

by CamNewton1 11/8/2013 11:52:06 PM
Redbird kyle: That was my prediction.

by Shaka 11/8/2013 11:52:10 PM
This place has lot of atmosphere. Pep band is great and really works with the students. Hope to see more of that at Redbird Arena.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:55:03 PM
OK. Show time. I'll give you starters and then let the season begin... Hope everyone is getting the game back home on Comcast (101), DirecTV (666), Dish (449) or AT&T U-Verse (1742) ... Hunter, Knight, Jones, Middlebrooks and Lofton. I like that lineup.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:59:16 PM
We will do again at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. I'll post a blog sometime tonight also with stuff that doesn't get in game story.

by jbenson 11/8/2013 11:59:50 PM