Redbirds vs. Bulldogs: MVC Showdown Preview

The Illinois State Redbirds will be facing off against the Drake Bulldogs in a Missouri Valley Conference matchup in Des Moines, Iowa on Monday at 9 p.m. EST. The Bulldogs have a 3-4 record on their home court and are led by Okku Federiko in rebounding. Meanwhile, the Redbirds are undefeated in MVC play and are ranked fourth in the conference in rebounding, with Brandon Lieb leading the team in boards.
Drake averages 79.1 points per game, while Illinois State allows 67.3 points per game. On the other hand, Illinois State scores 81.0 points per game, while Drake allows 69.2 points per game. This will be the first meeting between the Bulldogs and Redbirds in MVC play this season.
Key players to watch for the Bulldogs include Braden Appelhans, who averages 2.0 made 3-pointers per game, and Jalen Quinn, who is averaging 17.8 points and 3.5 assists over the past 10 games. For the Redbirds, Brandon Lieb contributes 4.5 points and 5.3 rebounds, while Ty Pence averages 13.6 points over the last 10 games.
In their last 10 games, the Bulldogs have a 5-5 record, averaging 78.3 points per game, while the Redbirds have a 9-1 record, averaging 84.2 points per game. Both teams have been performing well, and it will be an exciting matchup to watch.
Overall, the Illinois State Redbirds and the Drake Bulldogs are set to clash in an intense MVC showdown, with both teams showcasing strong performances in their recent games. It will be a thrilling game to watch as they battle it out on the court.