Bradley takes down Illinois State in Redbird Arena!

Redbird Arena - 2-16-2019 Bradley at Illinois State

The Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball outcomes have been absolutely unpredictable this season.  A few games back, Illinois State defeated Loyola to take the lead in the conference.  Last night they lost to a struggling Bradley team.  Actually, Bradley has been staging a bit of a comeback the last few seasons, albeit a slow one.  But, nothing seems to happen overnight with maybe the exception of the Loyola Rambler cinderella team last season...Devine Intervention?

The game has always been a rivalry, but in recent years it's been beat up.  This game, 9000 people filed in to the 'nest' to watch the game.  Some accounts say the contingent of Braves fans that travelled 40 miles from Peoria were more energized.  Maybe so, so much red in Redbird that I couldn't tell the fans apart by just looking up.  Still, the rivalry wasn't like it was in its heydays a dozen plus years ago when the thunderous crowds could have been heard halfway to Peoria... the years my ears would ring for days and I'd swear I'd wear hearing protection the next year.

Enough of my ramblings...  The Valley is truly up for grabs this season.  Arch Madness is going to have to sort it all out.  Here's to hoping the 'Birds are healthy and bring their best game.

a fairly small Photo Gallery!  Hope you enjoy looking!

Valpo Crusaders trample IState Redbirds in MVC Men's basketball game

Well, starting off with the positive is the Star Spangled Banner was adequately performed last night at the start of the game.  It wasn't or even attempted to be overdone!  Not a first, but pleasantly refreshing.

From there, depending on the team you follow or the perspective you have - the rest of the night was either really good, or not so good.  Valpo walked on to something like a 14 - 0 run to start the game.  The Redbirds finally got it going in the 4th quarter and cut a 23 point deficit to 7 but it wasn't enough to change the momentum.  The Crusaders picked back up and sharpened their swords to take the score to a 16 point lead as the buzzer ended the bloodshed

Not a huge gallery this game, but some pretty cool under the bucket shots are here.

Redbirds defeat Ramblers by 8, move to 1st in MVC

February 2, 2019 - Normal, IL:  The Illinois State Redbirds and the Ramblers of Loyola Chicago squared off for a Men's Missouri Valley Basketball game to see who would walk away in sole possession of 1st place in the conference at near the midpoint of the season.  Dick Ludtke, a long time broadcaster was on hand to do the radio play by play and was recognized before the battle for his 1000th Redbird Basketball broadcast.

Just over 8100 fans nearly filled the 10,500 seat Redbird Arena and stayed in their seats to watch the entire game.  Although the point difference at the buzzer was 8 points in the Redbirds favor, the game was not really settled till inside the 1 minute mark.  The frenzied late play kept a crowd that oftens leaves with minutes left on the clock, in their seats till the end.

Photo Gallery!

MVC Volleyball Tournament served up at Redbird Arena

For the first time since 2006, the Missouri Valley Conference Women's Volleyball Tournament is being held at Redbird Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal Illinois.  Participating teams are the Drake Bulldogs, Indiana State Sycamores, Valparaiso Crusaders, Illinois State Redbirds, Missouri State Bears and Northern Iowa Panthers.  The Bears pulled in the #1 ranking followed by the Panthers as #2.  Both teams had the first round off.  The Redbirds ranked 3rd.  Surviving the 1st round were the Sycamores and the Redbirds.  Round two will pit the Sycamores against the Bears and the Redbirds against the Panthers. 

Illinois State posting up a nice weekend.

Redbirds are having a really good weekend. The Soccer team plays today in Normal for the MVC Championship, Football team posted a come from behind win over the Penguins of Youngstown State and the Women's Volleyball team remains undefeated in the Valley after knocking off the Loyola Ramblers and the Bradley Braves both with three straight sets.

Be sure to check out the Normalite and Best Look Magazine for more coverage of Bloomington Normal Sports with the Best Look in Sports Action Photos in Bloomington Normal - Alan Look Photography


20141108 Youngstown State at Illinois State football photos - Images by Alan Look

20141107 Loyola at Illinois State Women's Volleyball photos - Images by Alan Look
 - chimper

Illinois State Volleyball Redbirds take sole possession of 1st place in the Valley

On Friday October 17th, the Panthers of Northern Iowa arrived in Normal Illinois tied for 1st place in the Missouri Valley Conference with the ISU Redbirds in Women's Volleyball.  They left that night is 2nd.  The Redbirds came out hot taking the first, third and fourth sets of the match and also mounted a very good recovery comeback in the second set but falling just short.  It was a match that lived up to all the hype and also pulled in a good Friday evening crowd to Redbird Arena.

Look for more coverage in the Normalite Newspapers and in Best Look Magazine, both with photos from the Best Look in Bloomington Normal Sports Photography - Alan Look Photography.



20141017 Northern Iowa Panthers at Illinois State Redbirds Women's Volleyball photos - Images by Alan Look
-chimper

ISU defeats ISU?

The Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball team took an ax to the Indiana State Sycamores in their last regular season home game 77-59 on Wednesday February 26th in Redbird Arena.  Nick Zeisloft started the games scoring with a 3 pointer for the Redbirds.  The Redbirds never trailed, leading by 20 points at one time in the first half and by 19 several others.  Daishon Knight led the points total for the Redbirds with 20.  Reggie Lynch and Zach Lofton each added 16.  Dawon Cummings scored 12 for the Sycamores.



20140226 Indiana State at Illinois State men's basketball photos - Images by Alan Look

 - Chimper

Wichita State (4) comes from behind to beat Illinois State

The Wichita State Shockers showed up at Redbird Arena on January 22 with an undefeated season.  They left with it still intact.  The Redbirds scored the first points of the game and kept it a back and forth game through the first half.  Starting the 2nd half, the Redbirds had a 3 point lead.  The Shockers however picked up their game, leading by as much as 18 points.  The Redbirds stormed back with less than 8 minutes left to cut the margin to 9.  The effort fell once more as the Shockers led by 15, 70-55 at the buzzer.



20140122 Wichita State at Illinois State - Images by Alan Look

In their 1st conference game this season, the Illinois State Redbird women secured their 2nd win of the year giving them a 2-9 overall and 1-0 Missouri Valley Conference record.  The first half was highlighted by several 3 point nothing but net shots by Alexis Foley.  Foley led the Redbirds with 20 points in 33 minutes of play, followed by Octavia Crump with 17 points.  Drake's Kyndal Clark was the best in the game with 23 points in 34 minute of court time.  Final score was 80-71


20140103 Drake at Illinois State Women's Basketball photos - Images by Alan Look

Redbirds take Regular season, lose tournament to Wichita State

Wichita State seems to be some sort of a nemesis for Illinois State.  Twice this year being the spoiler.

The Baseball Redbirds completed the regular season with the most wins, but lost 5-2 on a miserable cold and rainy late May evening at Duffy Bass Field, walking away with 2nd in the Missouri Valley Tournament.  Still an awesome season by any reasoning.

A small gallery of images from Alan Look Photography are here:  MVC Baseball Tournament Championship Game

Alan Look Photography's complete archive of Illinois State Baseball Images are here:  2013 ISU Redbird Baseball

Be sure to check out Alan Look Photography, the Normalite Newspaper, and Best Look Magazine for all of the Best Look in Sports Action photography in Bloomington Normal and McLean County.

 - Chimper -

Todd Kober leaving ISU for Kansas

I haven't seen this in the mainstream media yet and neither the Redbirds or Jayhawks websites have any information, but 2 very reliable sources have informed me that Todd Kober, Associate Athletic Director - Media Relations, is leaving Illinois State for Kansas.  Todd has been at ISU since the early part of this century.  He's worked for at least 3 different Athletic Directors during his stay.  He will be following Dr. Sheahon Zenger to Kansas.  Dr. Zenger left Illinois State earlier this year.
http://alanlook.photoshelter.com/image/I0000Lzbb2RanFUQ - photo of Todd
http://alanlook.photoshelter.com/image/I0000.CuABInBvag - photo of Dr. Zenger


It was early in Dr. Zenger's tenure that Todd Kober approached him about a statue commemorating the presence of player Doug Collins and coach Will Robinson be place near the north entrance to Redbird Arena.  The statue was built and placed in that location and dedicated in 2009.  It will be considered one of the crowning achievements of both men's careers at Illinois State.
http://alanlook.photoshelter.com/image/I0000flcztZ3gPKo
 - photo of Robinson-Collins Statue
Other accomplishment under the direction of Todd are several awards for design of Redbird Media Guides and the naming of the basketball court in Redbird Arean for Doug Collins.

Best of luck to you Todd.

Valley announces Ladies awards. ISU garners several

2011-2012 Illinois State Women's Basketball Redbirds

Last week it was the guys, this week the ladies...

The Missouri Valley Conference, ahead of the beginning of the Conference tournament annouced the season acknowledgements for the ladies. Three players and coach Stephanie Glance were named.

Katie Broadway and Jamie Russell were both named to the All Valley first team. Russell also grabbed the award for best newcomer. Candace Sykes received Honorable Mention.

Stephanie Glance follows in her predecessor’s footsteps and received the Valley honor of Coach of the Year.

Congrats to all.



Stephanie Glance - Images by Alan Look

Birds get Valley Acknoledgements

As always before the MVC tournament starts, the Missouri Valley Conference hands out it's yearly awards. This year three Redbirds get a nod.

Jackie Carmichael - 2nd team all conference
Tyler Brown - All Newcomer team
Nic Moore - All Freshman team

Doug McDermott was named the Larry Bird Player of the year.

Well, I think one more is in order. I really enjoyed watching Bryant Allen this year. He has got my vote for Happiest Player on the Court. He can hit a three open or not and if you take away the outside on him, he's going to find the open guy or take you inside. Still while doing all that, he has the largest smile on his face of anyone in the arena.

Of course, it wouldn't be a real Chimperscage blog entry with out some Alan Look photos.

McDermott:

Doug McDermott - Images by Alan Look

Carmichael:

Jackie Carmichael - Images by Alan Look

Brown:

Tyler Brown - Images by Alan Look

Moore:

Nic Moore - Images by Alan Look

Allen:

Bryant Allen - Images by Alan Look

Congrats to all.

Redbird Basketball begins

Well, for me anyway - Saturday was the 1st game. Yes, I know they played one already at Redbird. I was unable to attend. Seems like a lot of ticket holders didn't show up for the game against North Florida either. You missed out. I know, it's not conference season yet, but watching this team was truly special.

Defense seems to have been stepped up with the addition of some of the youth and transfers on this years squad. Watching Osiris, Dinma and Phillips are still fun. Dinma is still a hole filler underneath and Phillips is more confident out front. Osiris has stepped back up hit offensive attack (I thought it was a bit muted last season). The new guys make this a real treat. Johnson, Lewis, and especially Carmichael are filing in nicely. If you come to see nothing else, come to watch Carmichael. He's a blocker and he does it with quite a style.


20091121 North Florida v Illinois State - Images by Alan Look