Illinois State Mens Basketball Aim to Get Back on Track Against North Dakota State

Image courtesy of Illinois State athletics

NORMAL, Ill. — Illinois State men’s basketball heads to Fargo, North Dakota, Friday night looking to bounce back against the North Dakota State Bison.

The Redbirds opened the 2026-27 season with an overtime loss to Saint Mary’s on Nov. 2 before earning a 100-55 victory over Central State on Nov. 5. The Redbirds then fell 76-59 to Purdue on Nov. 9, leaving the Redbirds looking to get back into the win column.

With several returning players under head coach Ryan Pedon, ISU will look to carry its offensive production into a road matchup against a Bison team that is searching for consistency early in the season.

Looking to bounce back

ISU enters Friday’s matchup with a 1-2 record after its loss to Purdue.

The Redbirds struggled to maintain their offensive production against the Boilermakers, scoring 59 points after putting up 100 against Central State. ISU was also outrebounded 30-17 and shot 5-of-25 from 3-point range.

Despite the loss, senior guard Johnny Kinziger led the Redbirds with 12 points. Senior forward Malik Messina-Moore and sophomore forward Noah Cleveland also finished with 12 points each, while Demarion Burch added 10.

Kinziger continues to serve as one of ISU’s primary scoring options. He scored 30 points in the season opener against Saint Mary’s before adding 17 points against Central State.

The Redbirds will look to improve their shooting and limit second-chance opportunities as they take on the Bison in Fargo.

A familiar core

ISU returns several key contributors from last season’s roster, including senior guard Johnny Kinziger and senior forward Chase Walker.

Kinziger enters the season after reaching the 1,000-point milestone during the 2025-26 campaign. He continues to serve as one of the Redbirds’ leading scoring options and has averaged 19.3 points through the first three games.

Walker also returns after earning Missouri Valley Conference First Team honors for the second consecutive season. He reached the 1,000-point milestone during ISU’s National Invitation Tournament quarterfinal matchup against Dayton.

The Redbirds have also received contributions from Messina-Moore, who is averaging 15 points through the opening three games. His scoring ability gives ISU another option alongside Kinziger as the team looks to build consistency on offense.

The return of Kinziger and Walker gives ISU two experienced players as the Redbirds continue through their nonconference schedule.

A North Dakota State team looking for consistency

North Dakota State enters Friday’s matchup with a 1-3 record after opening its season with a victory over Minnesota Crookston.

The Bison earned a 90-59 win in their season opener on Nov. 2 before suffering losses to Saint Mary’s, San Francisco and CSU Bakersfield.

NDSU was picked to finish first in the Summit League preseason poll. The Bison also set a program record with 27 wins last season, showing the success the program has had under head coach David Richman.

The Bison have received production from guard Rob Diaz II and guard Riley Massey. Diaz is averaging 14 points per game, while Massey is averaging 11.5 points through the opening four games.

The Bison will look to use its home-court advantage at the Scheels Center as it attempts to get back into the win column.

Friday’s matchup also features a homecoming for ISU sophomore guard Mason Klabo, who returns to Fargo, North Dakota, to face the Bison.

The Redbirds have won both previous meetings against the Bison, including a 77-68 victory in Fargo on Nov. 7, 2024. ISU will look to extend that winning streak as it continues its nonconference schedule.

Illinois State men’s basketball faces North Dakota State at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at the Scheels Center in Fargo, North Dakota. The game will be available on Midco Sports and can be heard on WJBC 1230 AM, 102.1 FM and 98.9 FM WJEZ.

For all things Redbird Basketball, stay tuned to WZND.com.