2021–22 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball team

The 2021–22 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball team represented Illinois State University during the 2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Redbirds played their home games at Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena in Normal, Illinois as members of the Missouri Valley Conference. The team finished the season 13–20, 5–13 in MVC play to finish in eighth place. They defeated Indiana State in the first round of the MVC Tournament before losing to Northern Iowa in the quarterfinals.

2021–22 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball
ConferenceMissouri Valley Conference
2021–22 record13–20 (5–13 MVC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Marcus Belcher
  • Rob Johnson
Home arenaDoug Collins Court
at Redbird Arena
2021–22 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Northern Iowa144 .7782012  .625
Missouri State135 .7222311  .676
Drake135 .7222511  .694
Loyola Chicago135 .722258  .758
Bradley117 .6111714  .548
Southern Illinois99 .5001614  .533
Valparaiso612 .3331418  .438
Illinois State513 .2781320  .394
Indiana State414 .2221120  .355
Evansville216 .111624  .200
2022 MVC Tournament winner

Head coach Dan Muller was fired by the school after the first 26 games of the season after 10 years as head coach, but the school stated he would finish out the season[1] A day later, Muller announced he would step down immediately and associate head coach Brian Jones was named interim coach for the remainder of the season.[2] On March 7, 2022, the school named Ohio State assistant coach Ryan Pedon as the team's new head coach.

Previous season

In a season limited due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Redbirds finished the 2020–21 season 7–18, 4–14 in MVC play to finish in 10th place. In the MVC Tournament, they lost to Northern Iowa in the first round.[3]

Offseason

Departures

Name#Pos.HeightWeightYearHometownComment
Dedric Boyd1G6'4"195RS JuniorBrownsville, TNTennessee State
Dusan Mahorcic21F6'10"240JuniorBelgrade, SerbiaUtah[4]

2021 recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Julian Samuels
G
Annawan, IL Central Pointe Christian Academy 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 160 lb (73 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
Elijah Williams
G
Lilburn, GA Providence Christian Academy 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 180 lb (82 kg)  
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: NR
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

    Incoming transfers

    NamePos.HeightWeightYearHometownPrior school
    Mark FreemanG5'11"165JuniorMemphis, TNTennessee State
    Kendall LewisF6'7"190JuniorSnellville, GAAppalachian State
    Ryan SchmittF6'11"225JuniorVan Meter, IADes Moines Area CC
    Liam McChesneyF6'10"200RS SophomorePrince Rupert, BCUtah State

    Roster

    2021–22 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball team
    PlayersCoaches
    Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
    G 0 Mark Freeman 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)165 lb (75 kg) JrSouthwind HS
    Tennessee State
    Memphis, TN
    F 1 Sy Chatman 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)230 lb (104 kg) RS JrCretin-Derham HS
    Massachusetts
    Minneapolis, MN
    G 2 Josiah Strong 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)195 lb (88 kg) SrChamplin Park HS
    Navy
    Iowa Western Community College
    Brooklyn Park, MN
    G 3 Howard Fleming Jr. 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)200 lb (91 kg) SoMale HS Louisville, KY
    F 4 Abdou Ndiaye 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)200 lb (91 kg) RS JrThe Nation Christian Academy Louga, Senegal
    G 5 Julian Samuels (W) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)160 lb (73 kg) FrAnnawan HS
    Central Pointe Christian Academy
    Annawan, IL
    G 10 Emon Washington 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)190 lb (86 kg) SoSouth Cobb HS Atlanta, GA
    F 11 Alston Andrews 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)230 lb (104 kg) SoOcoee HS Detroit, MI
    G 12 Antonio Reeves 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)185 lb (84 kg) JrSimeon Career Academy Chicago, IL
    F 13 Liam McChesney 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)200 lb (91 kg) RS SoCharles Hays Secondary School
    Utah State
    Prince Rupert, BC
    G 14 Nik Stadelman (W) 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)185 lb (84 kg) SoGuilford HS Rockford, IL
    F 22 Kendall Lewis 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)210 lb (95 kg) JrShiloh HS
    Appalachian State
    Snellville, GA
    F 23 Harouna Sissoko 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)215 lb (98 kg) RS SoGrand View Christian School Kayes, Mali
    G 24 Jayden Johnson (W) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)210 lb (95 kg) SoBatavia HS Batavia, IL
    F 25 Alex Kotov 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)230 lb (104 kg) JrMontverde Academy
    Palm Beach State College
    Daytona State College
    Moscow, Russia
    G 34 Malcolm Miller (W) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)210 lb (95 kg) RS SoShelbyville HS Shelbyville, IL
    G 45 Elijah Williams (W) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)195 lb (88 kg) FrProvidence Christian Academy Lawrenceville, GA
    F 50 Ryan Schmitt 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)225 lb (102 kg) JrVan Meter HS
    Des Moines Area CC
    Van Meter, IA
    Head coach
    Assistant coach(es)

    Legend
    • (C) Team captain
    • (S) Suspended
    • (I) Ineligible
    • (W) Walk-on

    Roster
    Last update: November 18, 2021

    Schedule and results

    Date
    time, TV
    Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
    city, state
    Exhibition
    November 4, 2021*
    7:00 pm
    Davenport W 85–59 
     34  Reeves  8  Lewis  10  Freeman  Redbird Arena 
    Normal, IL
    Regular season
    November 9, 2021*
    7:00 pm, ESPN3
    UNC Wilmington W 68–63  1–0
     29  Reeves  10  Chatman  3  Tied  Redbird Arena (2,642)
    Normal, IL
    November 12, 2021*
    5:00 pm, ESPN3
    at Eastern Michigan L 98–103 2OT 1–1
     32  Reeves  13  Chatman  2  Tied  George Gervin GameAbove Center (1,905)
    Ypsilanti, MI
    November 16, 2021*
    7:00 pm, ESPN3
    Murray State L 65–77  1–2
     19  Reeves  7  Lewis  4  Freeman  Redbird Arena (2,904)
    Normal, IL
    November 20, 2021*
    6:00 pm, ESPN+
    Bucknell
    Cancún Challenge campus game
    W 105–100 OT 2–2
     34  Freeman  11  Chatman  7  Freeman  Redbird Arena (2,576)
    Normal, IL
    November 23, 2021*
    7:30 pm, CBSSN
    vs. Saint Louis
    Cancún Challenge (Riviera Division) Semifinal
    L 76–82  2–3
     20  Reeves  4  Reeves  6  Fleming Jr.  Riviera Maya (103)
    Cancún, Mexico
    November 24, 2021*
    5:00 pm, CBSSN
    vs. Buffalo
    Cancún Challenge (Riviera Division) Consolation
    L 90–106  2–4
     22  Lewis  5  Tied  4  Strong  Riviera Maya (144)
    Cancún, Mexico
    November 27, 2021*
    8:00 pm, Marquee
    Purdue Northwest W 81–71  3–4
     20  Reeves  12  Chatman  7  Freeman  Redbird Arena (1,024)
    Normal, IL
    December 1, 2021
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    Missouri State W 79–74 OT 4–4
    (1–0)
     22  Reeves  6  3 Tied  5  Fleming Jr.  Redbird Arena (2,902)
    Normal, IL
    December 4, 2021*
    3:00 pm, ESPN3
    Jackson State L 55–61  4–5
     14  Reeves  6  Lewis  4  Freeman  Redbird Arena (3,089)
    Normal, IL
    December 11, 2021*
    2:00 pm, ESPN+
    at Chicago State W 81–71  5–5
     28  Reeves  6  Lewis  4  Freeman  Jones Convocation Center (267)
    Chicago, IL
    December 14, 2021*
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    Quincy W 81–63  6–5
     19  Reeves  7  Chatman  4  Freeman  Redbird Arena (2,039)
    Normal, IL
    December 18, 2021*
    3:00 pm, Marquee
    Ball State W 85–64  7–5
     23  Strong  9  Lewis  6  Freeman  Redbird Arena (2,704)
    Normal, IL
    December 21, 2021*
    2:00 pm, ESPN+
    UTSA W 81–64  8–5
     21  Reeves  10  Reeves  8  Freeman  Redbird Arena (2.345)
    Normal, IL
    December 29, 2021*
    7:00 pm, BTN
    at No. 24 Wisconsin L 85–89  8–6
     23  Reeves  7  Chatman  3  Tied  Kohl Center (15,718)
    Madison, WI
    January 2, 2022
    1:00 pm, ESPN+
    at Valparaiso L 76–81 OT 8–7
    (1–1)
     24  Reeves  7  Tied  4  Strong  Athletics–Recreation Center (1,267)
    Valparaiso, IN
    January 12, 2022
    7:00 pm, MVC TV
    at Drake L 75–86  8–8
    (1–2)
     20  Lewis  5  Tied  6  Strong  The Knapp Center (2,702)
    Des Moines, IA
    January 16, 2022
    7:00 pm, Marquee
    Bradley
    I–74 Rivalry
    W 74–65  9–8
    (2–2)
     24  Reeves  7  Chatman  4  Strong  Redbird Arena (4,072)
    Normal, IL
    January 19, 2022
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    at Missouri State L 63–88  9–9
    (2–3)
     19  Freeman  7  Chatman  4  Strong  JQH Arena (3,362)
    Springfield, MO
    January 21, 2022
    6:00 pm, ESPN+
    Evansville W 94–56  10–9
    (3–3)
     16  Reeves  5  Fleming Jr.  4  Fleming Jr.  Redbird Arena 
    Normal, IL
    January 23, 2022
    1:00 pm, MVC TV
    at Evansville
    Rescheduled from January 9
    L 53–56  10–10
    (3–4)
     23  Reeves  5  Strong  3  Freeman  Ford Center (3,354)
    Evansville, IN
    January 26, 2022
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    Drake L 88–89 OT 10–11
    (3–5)
     25  Reeves  11  Lewis  10  Freeman  Redbird Arena (3,515)
    Normal, IL
    January 29, 2022
    1:00 pm, ESPN+
    at Northern Iowa L 64–79  10–12
    (3–6)
     19  McChesney  8  McChesney  4  Strong  McLeod Center (0)
    Cedar Falls, IA
    February 2, 2022
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    at Loyola L 64–78  10–13
    (3–7)
     20  Reeves  5  Fleming Jr.  3  Freeman  Gentile Arena (3,097)
    Chicago, IL
    February 5, 2022
    7:00 pm, Marquee
    Southern Illinois L 69–75  10–14
    (3–8)
     18  Strong  8  McChesney  5  Reeves  Redbird Arena (4,276)
    Normal, IL
    February 9, 2022
    7:00 pm, Marquee
    Valparaiso W 78–75 OT 11–14
    (4–8)
     34  Reeves  10  McChesney  3  Freeman  Redbird Arena (2,443)
    Normal, IL
    February 12, 2022
    1:00 pm, ESPN+
    at Indiana State L 57–60  11–15
    (4–9)
     13  McChesney  10  Lewis  4  Fleming Jr.  Hulman Center (2,766)
    Terre Haute, IN
    February 15, 2022
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    Northern Iowa L 70–72  11–16
    (4–10)
     27  Reeves  14  Lewis  4  Lewis  Redbird Arena (3,039)
    Normal, IL
    February 19, 2022
    1:00 pm, MVC TV
    at Bradley
    I–74 Rivalry
    L 64–72  11–17
    (4–11)
     20  Reeves  6  Freeman  2  Tied  Carver Arena (6,902)
    Peoria, IL
    February 21, 2022
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    Loyola
    Rescheduled from January 5
    L 50–59  11–18
    (4–12)
     15  Reeves  7  Fleming Jr.  2  Tied  Redbird Arena (3,354)
    Normal, IL
    February 23, 2022
    7:00 pm, ESPN+
    at Southern Illinois L 69–90  11–19
    (4–13)
     18  Reeves  6  Lewis  5  Freeman  Banterra Center (4,390)
    Carbondale, IL
    February 26, 2022
    3:00 pm, ESPN+
    Indiana State W 86–66  12–19
    (5–13)
     28  Reeves  6  Reeves  6  Freeman  Redbird Arena (3,665)
    Normal, IL
    MVC Tournament
    March 3, 2022
    6:00 pm, MVC TV
    (8) vs. (9) Indiana State
    Opening Round
    W 58–53  13–19
     15  Reeves  8  Lewis  4  Fleming Jr.  Enterprise Center (0)
    St. Louis, MO
    March 4, 2022
    12:00 pm, MVC TV
    (8) vs. (1) Northern Iowa
    Quarterfinals
    L 65–78  13–20
     20  Fleming Jr.  6  Strong  4  Reeves  Enterprise Center 
    St. Louis, MO
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
    All times are in Central Time.

    Source[5][6][7]

    References

    1. "ISU to fire men's basketball coach Dan Muller at end of the season". WGLT. 2022-02-13. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
    2. "Muller Steps Down; Brian Jones To Take Over As Interim Coach". WZND Fuzed Radio. 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2022-03-04.
    3. "Illinois State vs. Northern Iowa - Game Recap - March 4, 2021 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
    4. "Illinois State Big Man Dusan Mahorcic Transfers To Utah Basketball". KSL Sports. 2021-06-04. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
    5. "2021–22 Men's Basketball Schedule". goredbirds.com. Illinois State University Athletics. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
    6. "2021-22 Illinois State Redbirds Schedule and Results". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
    7. "2021-22 Illinois State Redbirds Schedule". ESPN. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
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