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ISU vs. Evansville

Chat with Pantagraph sportswriter Jim Benson before the Illinois State men's basketball game.

3rd & 7 37yd

Hello from Redbird Arena! Big game for Illinois State as it tries to keep the momentum going. Evansville is a tough matchup for any team because of Marty Simmons' motion offense that runs defenders through screen after screen after screen. Should be a good one. Ready to answer any and all questions ...

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:25:40 AM
ISU recruit Paris Lee of Proviso East is playing at nearby U High right now. If anyone is over there, let us know how he's looking. I've heard he's a tenacious on-the-ball defender.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:27:19 AM
Illinois State has used only eight players in the last three games. I look for the trend to continue tonight unless foul trouble creeps in. Right now I would think Jordan Threloff has a better chance of getting on the floor than Nick Zeisloft or Zeke Upshaw. Big guys seem to get in more foul trouble than wings. John Wilkins was a foul machine two years ago. He is doing better job now on defensive end not fouling.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:30:42 AM
Good evening Jim. Are any pantagraph reporters at the UH-Prov. East game tweeting score updates? Lets go BIRDS!

by Redbird Kyle 1/27/2013 12:32:36 AM
Yes, Joe Deacon is there. I would text him, but I left my phone at home. Call me stupid. He will twitter a score at half and I will pass it on.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:33:16 AM
Just saw teams were warming up 10 minutes ago at U High, so the first game must have went longer than they thought.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:34:13 AM
Great, Thanks. J Hill going to draw the defensive assignment on Colt?

by Redbird Kyle 1/27/2013 12:34:16 AM
Dan Muller said yesterday they will run a variety of defenders at Ryan. It sounded like Johnny would get the first shot. Also expect Tyler Brown to see a lot of duty there. When ISU uses Cousin or Allen on Ryan they are giving up about 5 inches. That makes it tough because Ryan doesn't need much space to get his shot off.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:35:35 AM
ISU said the game will be broadcast live on DirecTV (Ch 657) and Dish Network (452), while those on AT&T U-verse can see it on Ch. 691. Game will be tape delayed on Fox Sports Midwest at 10.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:36:49 AM
I saw Indy State got a last second win today vs UNI. Do you think they will earn the 3rd seed in STL? Or Evansville? Or anyone else?

by Redbird Kyle 1/27/2013 12:36:51 AM
At the halfway point, and without looking at the schedules, I would say Indy St has the inside track to the No.3 seed. That was a lucky win for them today.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:37:31 AM
Yeah, thanks to the NHL.. Am i the only one who wishes they were still in a lockout??

by Redbird Kyle 1/27/2013 12:37:35 AM
I am a devout Blackhawks fan, so I'm not in that club. Sorry.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:38:00 AM
Does Jackie have a chance at DPOY in the MVC?

by Redbird Kyle 1/27/2013 12:39:29 AM
Good question. I haven't given it too much thought, but I would think he does. However, Echenique was the DPOY last year and a lot of time the repeat guy gets the nod. Plus, Wichita will start promoting someone for that award seeing they are the best defensive team in the league.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:40:34 AM
what is your take on Keane's offensive game. Is he a good shooter in practice?

by Redbird Alumn 2004 1/27/2013 12:40:36 AM
Both Kaza and Johnny Hill really need to put up about a 1,000 shots a day from outside the arc in the offseason. Neither is much of a threat from 3 right now.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:41:50 AM
I noticed in the article today Evansville starts 4 seniors. Should we expect them to fall to the bottom of the league next year? Or do they have any promising underclassmen?

by Redbird Kyle 1/27/2013 12:41:54 AM
Evansville is going to make a big fall in the standings next year. You just don't replace Colt Ryan. Plus, Troy Taylor is a rebounding machine as a 6-foot pt guard. He had 19 in a game this season. 19!!!!!!! Unreal. I've always like Ned Cox, too. Just a tough guy. No, they are going to be hurting next season.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:43:02 AM
I wonder if Marty would try to get a new job after the season? Or is he happy at Evansville?

by Redbird Kyle 1/27/2013 12:44:01 AM
I'm not sure where he could get a better job with a 79-96 record at Evansville. Plus, he is an Evansville alum and loves the place. He's not leaving.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:44:41 AM
Has Muller thought about going with a Hill Brown Ekey Wilkins Carmichael starting line up? that size worked well for us last year

by Redbird Alumn 2004 1/27/2013 12:44:49 AM
I asked him that earlier this season and he feels Ekey is not an ideal 3 man for his system. He has used Ekey there from time to time, but not much at all. I think the theory is Ekey has a hard time guarding a smaller, quicker guy. Plus, if they are just going with 3 bigs now, they don't want to burn out Ekey at the 3, especially running around and guarding someone like Colt Ryan.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:46:36 AM
Redbirds starting Kaza instead of Bryant Allen. Kind of surprised about that.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:50:18 AM
That does make sense. I think that we will see his recruits with a lot more foot speed than some of Janks.

by Redbird Alumn 2004 1/27/2013 12:50:22 AM
Any inside info on the Retro uniforms to be worn against SIU?

by Redbird Kyle 1/27/2013 12:50:31 AM
Only thing I know is they won't be short shorts. I go week by week. Hahaha

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:51:02 AM
Allen has been out warming up, so I don't think it's a problem with his ankle. FYI: He has his hair back in a ponytail again instead of the bun.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:52:15 AM
Surprised by the lineup change. Has B Allen been struggling? I don't recall him having a great game vs Indy St

by Redbird Kyle 1/27/2013 12:52:17 AM
BA hasn't shot well the last three games, but with the emphasis on defense you would think he would be an automatic start. He's a pretty good on the ball defender. Kaza isn't going to be an upgrade offensively, that's for sure.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:53:20 AM
to rebird kyle you ain`t no nothin

by buckeye girl 1/27/2013 12:53:28 AM
Do you think it is Allen's ankle acting up or does Dan just want his scoring punch off the bench?

by Redbird Alumn 2004 1/27/2013 12:53:29 AM
I'm not really sure. It must be Allen's ankle flaring up a little bit, but he seemed to be moving OK when I watched them warming up. That will be one of the first postgame questions.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:54:18 AM
Thanks Buckeye girl, appreciate it.

by Redbird Kyle 1/27/2013 12:54:19 AM
hows are chancws jim

by buckeye girl 1/27/2013 12:56:48 AM
I just told the Evansville reporter I think it will be a one possession game going to the last minute and it's anybody's ball game.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:57:32 AM
Do you feel a sense of the team's confidence building after the past two games Jim?

by Redbird Kyle 1/27/2013 12:57:38 AM
No doubt, they feel a lot better about themselves. Things were a little tense during the skid, but no team is in a good mood when losing all the time.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:58:08 AM
That's not nice, Buckeye Girl. I can't see without these $1 readers.

by jbenson 1/27/2013 12:58:33 AM
hurry up hippy j

by buckeye girl 1/27/2013 12:59:02 AM
Thanks to Redbird Kyle and Buckeye Girl (and hubbie) for providing the questions tonight. We will do again at 6:30 p.m. from Peoria. That's enough, Buckeye Girl!

by jbenson 1/27/2013 1:02:51 AM