NORMAL — Zach Copeland hasn't played a meaningful basketball game in about 20 months. So don't tell Illinois State's junior guard that Tuesday's 7 p.m. contest against Lewis is just an exhibition.
When asked his excitement level on a 1 to 10 scale, the 6-foot-4, 185-pound Copeland smiled and said "11" on the prospect of facing the Division II Flyers at Redbird Arena.
Tuesday's contest also will be the Redbird debuts for junior guard Josh Jefferson, redshirt sophomore guard/forward Matt Chastain and freshman forward Rey Idowu.
Sophomore forward Taylor Bruninga was diagnosed late last week with a stress fracture in his left foot and is on crutches for the next six weeks.