New-look Redbirds looking to re-energize
There is no doubt that Dan Muller is already synonymous with Illinois State basketball.
But the Redbirds’ head coach expects winning and high-energy defense to also be associated with his hoops program. After a disappointing 2018-19 season, Illinois State is aiming to bounce back behind the intense style of play that's always defined its coach.
The Redbirds went 17-16 last season, including 9-9 in the MVC despite being picked to finish second. They defeated Evansville, 65-60, in the first round of the State Farm MVC Tournament before losing to Drake, 78-62, in the quarterfinals.
Muller’s focus on revitalizing his defense is being enabled by allowing new associate head coach Brian Jones to handle the team’s offensive schemes. Early signs indicate the new approach is working well.
“He’s excited, and keeps asking me questions. And I keep telling him ‘do what you want’,” Muller said at the recent MVC Media Day in St. Louis.
“Our defensive focus was not there last season, and that's my fault. That’s what Illinois State University is supposed to stand for, so I’m excited for this group to embrace that.”
A turnaround won’t be easy, and, in fact, is not even expected. In the Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll, the Redbirds were selected to finish seventh in the 10-team league.
Illinois State’s roster experienced almost an entire makeover from last season, returning only three players. The departed Redbirds include standouts Phil Fayne and Milik Yarbrough, who averaged a combined 33 points per game.
The two returning starters are senior guard Zach Copeland and junior guard Matt Chastain. Copeland scored 9.3 points per game and had 53 made 3s. Chastain averaged 3.5 points and 4.2 rebounds. Sophomore 6-9 forward Rey Idowu also returns.
Copeland has moved back to his natural shooting guard position.
“Playing off the ball is easier. Focusing on just spotting up and running off ball screens instead of dribbling off the screens. But the point guard position challenged me in a good way,” said Copeland.
Of the new players, it’s 6-8 junior forward Keith Fisher III who is receiving the most attention. He sat out last season because of NCAA transfer requirements after playing at San Jose State. He’s a talented interior scorer, and was a team captain despite sitting out.
“Keith is a special competitor, and earned it (being a captain) with his leadership. He holds himself to a high standard and expects that from his teammates,” said Muller.
“It’s a blessing to finally get to be out there with these guys, and coaches,” Fisher said. “These guys are taking a lot of pride in their defense. They’re embracing the challenges from coach.”
Also returning is 6-8 sophomore forward Taylor Bruninga, who missed last season with a foot injury which still isn’t fully healed. He averaged 4.9 points in the 2017-18 season when he played in 29 games.
Muller said: “I feel really bad for Taylor. He’s been awesome and is doing everything he can. It’s very frustrating for him.”
Muller said 6-9 freshmen Abdou Ndiaye has the “ability to block and change shots around the rim, and is going to give us a different dynamic.”
Muller has experienced plenty of success in Normal, Illinois as both a player and coach. Entering his eight season, Muller has a career mark of 139-96. He led the Redbirds to a 17-1 Valley record and was the MVC Coach of the Year two seasons ago.
As a player, he led Illinois State to two NCAA Tournament appearances (1997 and 1998) and was a two-time MVC Defensive Player of the Year. Muller started in each of his 128 college games.
“We have a lot of guys that are versatile defensively. Our guards are big, and we’ll be able to switch,” said Muller, who spent 12 years as an assistant coach at Vanderbilt before heading back to Normal.
“Our league wasn’t good last year. But that’s a one-year dip, and we need to get back right where we were, and we didn’t do our part last season.”
The Redbirds begin this season on Nov. 6 when they host Belmont, and start Valley play on Dec. 31 at home against Northern Iowa.
(Writer and MVC Contributor Brian Doolittle can be reached at briandoolittle1973@gmail.com)