da 'birds go 7 and 0

Knocking off the Chippewas of Central Michigan moved the Redbird basketball team to 7 - 0 for the non-conference season. Still to come are Niagra, Ohio, Utah and Grambling before the race for March starts at home against the Shockers of Wichita State the last week of December.

I haven't been able to make every game, but so far I would say the Chippewas have been the best challenge the 'birds have seen this season. It also got a bit physical with several players going over shoulders, hitting the floor hard and being rammed into the goal standards.

Newbies have certainly been a plus this year. The 'birds have a much deeper bench than I've seen in several seasons. The 6th man on the court - the crowd - also seem ready and able this season. I didn't get the attendance and it isn't listed on the stats, but I believe the number was pretty good considering a non-conference competition.


20091205 Central Michigan v Illinois State - Images by Alan Look

The Lady Redbirds continue to do well too. They stormed past the Huskies of Northern Illinois on Friday night erasing an early 8 point deficit to bring their record to 5 and 2. Loses were to Big Ten schools Iowa and Illinois. Look for them to make their presence felt once again in the Valley this season.


20091204 Northern Il v Illinois State - Images by Alan Look