Coach: Dan Muller
Top players: G Paris Lee is the MVC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. He averages 13 points and an MVC-leading 5.1 assists. F Deontae Hawkins leads the Redbirds with averages of 14.1 points and 6.8 rebounds.
Trend: On the rise after Saturday’s 63-42 win at Northern Iowa. The Redbirds shot 54.3 percent and F MiKyle McIntosh made 7 of 9 shots to score 15 points. If McIntosh is fit, after knee surgery in early February, the Redbirds are capable of ending a four-game losing streak in the title game.