After winning 11-straight games and improving to 10-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference for the first time in program history, the Illinois State men’s basketball team (18-4 overall) earned two votes in the AP Top 25 Poll released Monday morning.
The Redbirds were recognized in a national poll for the third-consecutive week after earning one vote in last week’s (Jan. 23, Week 12) AP Top 25 Poll. Before that, ISU garnered one vote in the USA Today Coaches Poll (Jan. 16, Week 11).
Prior to this season, Illinois State had not been recognized in a national poll since garnering three votes in the Dec. 7, 2009 (Week Five) AP Top 25 Poll. The Redbirds also received votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll Nov. 30, 2009 (Week Four). Illinois State has not been ranked nationally in the Top-25 since Nov. 18, 1997 when the Redbirds were ranked No. 24.
Illinois State’s NCAA RPI ranks 34th nationally. The Redbirds’ program-best RPI to end a season was 27 in 1997-98. ISU will try to extend its 11-game winning streak and remain undefeated in the MVC when the Redbirds host Northern Iowa Wednesday at 8 p.m. on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena.
For tickets to Illinois State home games, navigate to GoRedbirds.com/Tickets, call (309) 438-8000 or visit the Illinois State Athletics Ticket Office at the north entrance to Redbird Arena.
Find more Athletics news at GoRedbirds.com.
