Illinois State Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Redbirds

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 4: Milik Yarbrough #52 of the Illinois State Redbirds looks to get pst Lucas Williamson #1 of the Loyola Ramblers during the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournament Championship at the Scottrade Center on March 4, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

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HONOLULU, HI – DECEMBER 23: MiKyle McIntosh /

Expectations for Illinois State in 2018-19

Loyola-Chicago is the returning conference champ and brings back the top individual player as well. But the Ramblers do lose some players, leaving the door open for a contender to overtake them.

Illinois State is widely considered to be the biggest threat to Loyola-Chicago, led by three seniors for this upcoming season. With perennial powerhouse Wichita State gone, this is truly the best chance that the Redbirds have had in a while to win the Missouri Valley.

The stakes are high for the program, who may not have Coach Muller for much longer. He’s established himself as one of the best young mid-major coaches in the sport and could get poached by a power conference program, particularly one in the Big Ten. After these seniors leave, it may be perfect timing for his to move on to a situation better suited to make the NCAA Tournament.

While the trio of Evans, Fayne, and Yarbrough will have the bulk of the production, it’s important to have a few others contribute when they have off days. There should be more depth for the Redbirds, with the JUCO transfer guards expected to play big roles. Even if the defense doesn’t improve, the offense should be top-notch once again.

Next. Preseason Missouri Valley rankings for 2018-19. dark

Sometimes it’s better to be the hunters rather than being constantly hunted. That’ll be the case with the Ramblers getting everyone’s best shots, while Illinois State can somewhat fly under the radar in conference play. This could be just like the 2016-17 season all over again, with two top MVC teams duking it out all year. However, I give the Redbirds and their explosive offense the slightest edge in the preseason, as well as Yarbrough the favorite to win the league’s POY Award.