Tag: Joe Brand

ST. LOUIS – Illinois State was not able to repeat an upset from a year ago as Wichita State defeated the Redbirds 66-51.  The Shockers out-rebounded ISU significantly, and held momentum offensively for the majority of the game.

WSU jumped out to an early 15-0 lead in the first half, and Illinois State couldn’t buy a successful field goal.  The Redbirds weren’t able to produce a basket from anywhere expect the free throw line until 11 minutes into the game.  The Shockers had great contribution on the boards from Carl Hall, Malcolm Armstead, and Tekele Cotton.  Armstead was Wichita State’s leading scorer with 15 by the end of the day.

Despite an impressive start for the Shockers, Illinois State responded by going on 16-0 run towards the end of the first half.  The Redbirds found their first lead of the game on their last possession of the half, but it was quickly silenced after a go-ahead three pointer from Fred VanVleet.

The second half allowed Wichita State to regroup and figure out how to work around Illinois State’s zone defense.  The Shockers were able to maintain a healthy lead for almost all of the last 20 minutes of the game, and force Jackie Carmichael into foul trouble.  The ISU star senior had four fouls with still 8 minutes left in the game, and fouled out in the final minutes.  Carmichael led the game with 22 points in what could possibly be his last game as a Redbird.

ISU finishes the season 0-3 against WSU and 18-15 overall.  Wichita State will now face the Creighton Blue Jays in the MVC Championship game on Sunday.  Illinois State will wait to see if they receive any invites for other postseason tournaments.

103.3 WZND’s The Red Zone had a special guest on Thursday night to talk some Missouri Valley Conference basketball before the Redbirds host the Southern Illinois this Saturday.  Saluki head basketball manager and theSPORTSfeast.com’s SIU insider Kyle Osbourne believes there is no reason to deny the thought of three MVC teams in the tournament come March.

Next week’s show will be live at the Visor Center in Manchester-Hewitt beginning at 7 pm, but be sure to tune into The Red Zone with Joe and Chris every Thursday night at 6:30 on  103.3 WZND or wznd.com.

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As injuries become more and more of a threat to professional athletes each year, that same threat is making parents more cautious with their athletic children.  Many parents throughout the U.S. are not allowing their children to participate in hard hitting activities such as football due to the risks of injuries they fear their offspring will suffer.  Are these parents making the right decisions? Or are they just being too cautious?  What about collegiate athletics?  Do college athletes serve a greater risk competing against bigger and stronger opponents?  Or does the advanced equipment, facilities, and technology offered by universities give the athletes a safer experience?  103.3 WZND’s Joe Brand spoke with Illinois State Associate Athletic Trainer Joe Whitson about the various precautions that athletes can use and how performers have adapted over time.

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PEORIA– For the first time in seven meetings, the War on 74 went to the Bradley Braves.  It was also the first time Bradley defeated Illinois State in their home arena since 2009.  The 83-77 drop also snaps ISU’s three-game winning streak.
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ISU’s Red Alert hosted their first ever Redbird Social Media Night Pep Rally Tuesday night.  103.3 WZND’s The Red Zone was able to get to talk to some of the players about their involvement on Twitter.

Make sure to tune into The Red Zone with Chris and Joe every Thursday night at 6:30.

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ISU’s Red Alert hosted their first ever Redbird Social Media Night Pep Rally Tuesday night.  103.3 WZND’s The Red Zone was able to get to talk to some of the players about their involvement on Twitter.

Make sure to tune into The Red Zone with Chris and Joe every Thursday night at 6:30.

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Johnny Hill did not get much playing time last year.  This year he has earned every single one of the 174 minutes he’s competed on the court.  Hill was placed as a starter in the Louisville game, and has been a great replacement for recovering Kaza Keane.  Johnny’s ambition on the court has been a big factor of most of the Redbirds’ offensive runs, despite losing their last three.  Not one of the biggest names, Hill gives you the effort and hustle that is sometimes hard to find in college basketball.   The main thing about Johnny’s role on the team is that it is interchangeable.  Despite mainly coming off the bench, Johnny has started, been very effective on the press, and is second on the team in assists.

Hill and the Redbirds will try and break their four-game skid this Saturday against Western Michigan.  A live broadcast of the game can be heard on 103.3 WZND or wznd.com.

A full interview with Johnny Hill and WZND’s Joe Brand can be found below.

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“There are no moral victories”, said head coach Dan Muller in front of the press after a 69-66 loss to the #5 Louisville Cardinals.  Illinois State owned an advantage in the majority of the game, but was not able to pull off the upset as Peyton Siva and the Cardinals turned up the offense towards the end of the game.

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If you’re a freshman, take a moment and make believe.  Pretend you’re not from Illinois.  Now pretend you aren’t even from the country.  Now think about strapping on some gym shoes, because you have basketball practice.  Now try and focus on how you would run today’s offense for the Illinois State basketball team.   Sounds difficult to think about?  Well one student lives it.

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Just a little over a month ago, CBSSports.com ranked Jackie Carmichael in the top-100 players in the nation.  Last week Carmichael was featured in a SI.com “Future Game Changers” previewing an article that highlights the Redbird star entering his senior year.

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