Redbirds Return for 2026-27 Home Opener

NORMAL, Ill. - The Illinois State men's basketball team returns to CEFCU Arena on Thursday night for the 2026-27 home opener, as the Birds take on the Marauders of Central State University in a 7 p.m. tip-off.

QUICK HITTERS

• Johnny Kinziger's 30 points in the opener against Saint Mary's is the third-highest season-opening scoring total in school history, trailing only the 40 from Doug Collins in 1971 against Oral Roberts and the 32 from Ron Jones in 1978 at Indiana State

• This game counts towards Illinois State's Won-Loss total for the year, while it is an exhibition contest for Central State

• The last time the Redbirds opened the season with an overtime game was during the 1989-90 season…