St. Bonaventure (4-1) @ Illinois State (5-0)
Normal, Ill. 3:35 CT
Basketball Travelers Classic
The Redbirds will be coming off their largest margin of victory since the 1997 whooping they put on the Sycamores 108-58. Illinois State was able to power past Southeast Missouri State to a tune of 93-53. Lead by Dinma Odiakosa and Osiris Elderidge, 19 pts each, Illinois State showed that they were way to much for SMS to handle right out of the gate. Along with Dinma’s 19 points, he was also able to lead the way on the boards with 9 rebounds, leaving him just one board shy of the double double.
Up next for the Redbirds in the Basketball Travelers Classic, the Bonnies of St. Bonaventure, who have surprised some out of the gate this season. With a record of 4-1, and the one loss coming by one point to the Big East’s St. Johns, the Bonnies are looking to make some noise this non-conference season. This game should be close, for about 12 minutes, but I like the Redbirds chances of taking this one on their home court.
-Paul Liberty
Indiana State @ Arkansas State
Jonesboro, Ark. 2:05 CT
After a dramatic win over Western Kentucky in their final game of the NIT Season Tip-off, 64-63, the Sycamores will travel to Jonestown Arkansas to face the Red Wolves of Arkansas State. This could be considered by some to be a trap game, as the Sycamores are coming off the one point win over Western Kentucky thanks to the free throw by Rashad Reed with one-tenth of a second on the clock.
But I am not worried about our Sycamores. They will be traveling to an Arkansas Sate Red Wolves team that will be out matched and should not give ISU much of a fight. I think instead of watching this one, I will take my nap from my early morning Creighton wake up call.
-Paul Liberty