The Illinois State Redbirds (2-5, 0-0 MVC) visit Murray, Kentucky and CSFB Center to play the Murray State Racers (3-3, 0-0 MVC) on Thursday, in the opening game of the Missouri Valley Conference schedule for both schools. Illinois State has lost four straight following its 57-44 setback at the hands of Rhode Island a week ago today. Murray State was defeated by Chattanooga 69-66 on Saturday and the Racers have lost two of the last three. Illinois State and Murray State do not have any players listed on their injury reports.
Illinois State is scoring an average of only 61.3 points per game and its biggest reason is a lack of accuracy. The Redbirds are shooting 39.7% overall and 32.5% from behind the three-point line. Last Wednesday in its loss to Rhode Island, Illinois State shot just 27.1% overall and 33.3% from behind the three-point line. Leading scorer Kendall Lewis is averaging 12.7 points per game and is shooting 45.5% overall but only 21.4% from behind the line. The top three scorers for Illinois State are shooting 45.5% or less and the next three scorers are shooting 39.5% or less. Darius Burford is averaging a team-best 2.6 assists per game. The Redbirds average only 9.9 assists and 14.9 turnovers.
The Illinois State defense is allowing an average of 67.0 points per game. Opponents are shooting 42.3% overall and 32.5% from beh ind the three-point line. On the glass, Illinois State is averaging 32.4 rebounds per game led by Lewis with an average of 8.6 boards per contest. Illinois State is allowing opponents to average 30.4 rebounds per contest. Lewis is also the leader in steals with an average of 1.6 per contest and Liam McChesney is the leader in blocked shots with an average of 1.6 per game.