NORMAL, Ill. -- Indiana State looks to build off its momentum of its 1-1 weekend in Missouri Valley Conference play last weekend as it travels to the Land of Lincoln to battle Illinois State Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 16-17. Both games are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. ET.
WHERE THEY RANK
The Sycamores have two sophomores ranked in the top 10 of the Missouri Valley Conference rebounding leaders, as Jake LaRavia and Tre Williams take the No. 8 and 9 spots on the leaderboard. LaRavia is averaging 5.9 boards per contest, while Williams is just a hair below him at 5.8.
Senior Tyreke Key finds himself in the No. 4 spot on the MVC free throw percentage list with his 90.4 percent mark, and No. 5 in overall scoring in the Valley. Key has made more free throws (47) than the three in front of him have attempted (23, 23, and 24, respectively), and has methodically climbed up the scoring leaders list since conference play has started.
Junior Cooper Neese finds himself on both the three point percentage (46.2 percent) and free throw percentage (84.6 percent) lists, coming in at fourth and eighth, respectively.
COBIE'S CAREER-HIGH
Sophomore Cobie Barnes gave the Sycamores a huge boost off the bench in their victory over Loyola, Jan. 10, scoring a career-high 13 points while also grabbing four rebounds.
LARAVIA: ASSIST MACHINE
Though not his typical scoring output, sophomore Jake LaRavia was still able to have an impact on the game in the Sycamores' win over Loyola, Jan. 10 thanks to his passing. The forward set a new career-high in assists with five, while also pulling down eight rebounds.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE REDBIRDS
Indiana State split the season series against Illinois State in 2019-20, but have gone winless in Normal since 2014. The last time the two met in Redbird Arena, Feb. 8, 2020, the Sycamores struggled out of the gate and could not recover, falling 74-67. No player on the 2020-21 version of the Sycamores notched double-figure scoring in the game, as Jordan Barnes led the way with 21 points and Bronson Kessinger added 10. Tyreke Key scored eight points in 30 minutes of action, while Jake LaRavia added seven while battling foul trouble throughout the contest. Indiana State was held to just 35.2 percent (19-of-54) from the floor, was out-rebounded 36-35, and committed more turnovers, 16-15, than Illinois State, but outscored the Redbirds 44-42 in the second half.
KEY EYEING THE TOP 10
Senior Tyreke Key is nearing a spot in the Top 10 of the ISU all-time scoring list, now needing just 17 points to jump Carl Nicks (1976-80) and the legendary Duane Klueh (1946-49). The Celina, Tenn. native has average 14.6 points per game this season and has a 15.5 average in MVC contests. Key scored a season-high 31 points in the Sycamores' victory over Loyola, Jan. 10, shooting 66.7 percent (8-of-12) from the floor and 85.7 percent (12-of-14) from the free throw line.
Change in the Schedule
The Valley announced the Indiana State and Southern Illinois series has been rescheduled for Jan. 25 and 26 at Hulman Center. In addition, the Sycamores road game at Evansville, originally scheduled for Feb. 17, has been moved to Sunday, Feb. 14.
Next Up
The Sycamores return to Hulman Center for three consecutive home games, beginning with a single mid-week contest against Evansville, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m.
