After playing an overtime game on Jan. 4 at Redbird Arena, Illinois State and Missouri State both appeared to be legitimate contenders for the Missouri Valley Conference basketball title.
Now 41 days later, that outlook has dramatically changed.
When the teams meet again at 8 p.m. Wednesday at JQH Arena, the Bears will be trying to spoil ISU's march toward its first league title in 19 years. Staying out of the MVC Tournament's play-in round in two weeks clearly has to be on Missouri State's mind, too.
That didn't seem possible when ISU needed to rally late in regulation before taking a 74-71 victory over the Bears in Normal. That was the Redbirds' closest call at home this season.
"They certainly have talent. They've had a lot of close losses," said ISU coach Dan Muller. "That's what conference play usually boils down to, who wins close games."
ISU (21-5) remains tied with Wichita State for the Valley lead with 13-1 marks. Meanwhile, Missouri State (15-12) shares fifth at 6-8 and only one game ahead of seventh-place Drake and a spot March 2 in St. Louis for the league's bottom four teams.
Missouri State has lost three straight and five of its last six, including a 55-52 setback to Northern Iowa on Sunday at JQH Arena.
"Any time you lose and go through a tough stretch, sure guys are hanging their heads, but that's unacceptable," said Missouri State coach Paul Lusk. "We have a lot of games left. We have to be better. We're not playing very good basketball right now. When you get down to this time of year, everyone has to step up."
ISU realizes it will need to step up its offensive game to avoid an upset.
While the Redbirds' defense continues to be sharp ? ranking third nationally in field goal percentage defense (.372) and ninth in points allowed (61.7) ? the offense has slowed down mainly because of turnovers.
ISU has averaged 14.2 turnovers and 63.4 points in the five games without MiKyle McIntosh, who is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. The junior forward, who scored a game-high 21 points in the first meeting against Missouri State, isn't expected to return until next week.
Freshman reserve guard Madison Williams is doubtful for the second straight game with a knee injury, further shortening ISU's rotation.
"I don't think we're focused enough offensively as we should be," said ISU senior guard Tony Wills. "The last couple games we've really turned it over. This game will be huge for us to take care of the ball and be good on both sides of the floor, offense and defense."
Muller believes part of the offensive struggles come from being so locked in defensively. He's thought about devoting more practice time to offense, but doesn't want ISU to lose its defensive edge and identity.
"I don't mind the bad shots nearly as much as I mind the turnovers," said Muller. "We're just making bad decisions and we're not focused. It sounds weird, but we don't compete on offense a lot of times. We just kind of think we're going to get shots."
Outside of a 41-point blowout loss at Wichita State, the turnovers haven't cost ISU yet. But the Redbirds know that could change unless they correct the problems, especially on the road.
"It's our level of concentration and focus," said Wills. "We need all five guys locked in, and coach always talks about being a threat on offense. All five guys need to be a threat at all times."
Missouri State was a threat outside the arc against the Redbirds the first time. The Bears made 14 3-pointers, a season high against ISU, but also launched 38 attempts.
Muller wouldn't mind seeing ISU battle to a rebounding draw as the Redbirds did on Jan. 4. Missouri State has only been outrebounded by one Valley team (Evansville on Feb. 4) and ranks 29th nationally with a plus-6.0 rebounding margin.
Half of Missouri State's 12 losses have been decided by one-possession margins. The Bears also have played five overtime games, all in Valley action, going 2-3.
Now 41 days later, that outlook has dramatically changed.
When the teams meet again at 8 p.m. Wednesday at JQH Arena, the Bears will be trying to spoil ISU's march toward its first league title in 19 years. Staying out of the MVC Tournament's play-in round in two weeks clearly has to be on Missouri State's mind, too.
That didn't seem possible when ISU needed to rally late in regulation before taking a 74-71 victory over the Bears in Normal. That was the Redbirds' closest call at home this season.
"They certainly have talent. They've had a lot of close losses," said ISU coach Dan Muller. "That's what conference play usually boils down to, who wins close games."
ISU (21-5) remains tied with Wichita State for the Valley lead with 13-1 marks. Meanwhile, Missouri State (15-12) shares fifth at 6-8 and only one game ahead of seventh-place Drake and a spot March 2 in St. Louis for the league's bottom four teams.
Missouri State has lost three straight and five of its last six, including a 55-52 setback to Northern Iowa on Sunday at JQH Arena.
"Any time you lose and go through a tough stretch, sure guys are hanging their heads, but that's unacceptable," said Missouri State coach Paul Lusk. "We have a lot of games left. We have to be better. We're not playing very good basketball right now. When you get down to this time of year, everyone has to step up."
ISU realizes it will need to step up its offensive game to avoid an upset.
While the Redbirds' defense continues to be sharp ? ranking third nationally in field goal percentage defense (.372) and ninth in points allowed (61.7) ? the offense has slowed down mainly because of turnovers.
ISU has averaged 14.2 turnovers and 63.4 points in the five games without MiKyle McIntosh, who is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. The junior forward, who scored a game-high 21 points in the first meeting against Missouri State, isn't expected to return until next week.
Freshman reserve guard Madison Williams is doubtful for the second straight game with a knee injury, further shortening ISU's rotation.
"I don't think we're focused enough offensively as we should be," said ISU senior guard Tony Wills. "The last couple games we've really turned it over. This game will be huge for us to take care of the ball and be good on both sides of the floor, offense and defense."
Muller believes part of the offensive struggles come from being so locked in defensively. He's thought about devoting more practice time to offense, but doesn't want ISU to lose its defensive edge and identity.
"I don't mind the bad shots nearly as much as I mind the turnovers," said Muller. "We're just making bad decisions and we're not focused. It sounds weird, but we don't compete on offense a lot of times. We just kind of think we're going to get shots."
Outside of a 41-point blowout loss at Wichita State, the turnovers haven't cost ISU yet. But the Redbirds know that could change unless they correct the problems, especially on the road.
"It's our level of concentration and focus," said Wills. "We need all five guys locked in, and coach always talks about being a threat on offense. All five guys need to be a threat at all times."
Missouri State was a threat outside the arc against the Redbirds the first time. The Bears made 14 3-pointers, a season high against ISU, but also launched 38 attempts.
Muller wouldn't mind seeing ISU battle to a rebounding draw as the Redbirds did on Jan. 4. Missouri State has only been outrebounded by one Valley team (Evansville on Feb. 4) and ranks 29th nationally with a plus-6.0 rebounding margin.
Half of Missouri State's 12 losses have been decided by one-possession margins. The Bears also have played five overtime games, all in Valley action, going 2-3.
