NORMAL, Ill. -- The Morehead State men's basketball team opens its second College Basketball Invitational (CBI) appearance on Wednesday at Missouri Valley Conference opponent Illinois State. Tip-off from Redbird Arena is set for 8 p.m. ET.
MSU, which is 20-13 overall and finished 10-6 in Ohio Valley Conference play, has earned its fourth postseason appearance in the past six seasons. The Eagles played in the 2009 and 2011 NCAA Tournaments, in addition to the 2010 CBI.
ISU, which is 16-15 overall and finished 9-9 in the Missouri Valley, is making its fifth postseason appearance in the last seven years and 19th overall. The Redbirds, who were invited to the NIT in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012, are playing in their first CBI.
The 16-team CBI is one of four national postseason tournaments. It is coordinated by the Gazelle Group, a New Jersey-based sports marketing firm which specializes in event production and management, client representation and sponsorship consulting.
The CBI's opening round wraps up on Wednesday. The quarterfinal round is slated for March 24, while the semifinal round is set for March 26. The best-of-three championship series begins on March 31. All games will be played at campus sites.
Morehead State is 1-5 all-time against Illinois State. The Eagles dropped a 78-73 home decision to the Redbirds in the last meeting on Dec. 7, 2011. ISU has won five straight in the series, which dates back to the 1971-72 campaign.
Ways to follow the game:
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO (CPU) | LIVE AUDIO (mobile) | LIVE STATS | TWITTER
The game will be webcast via GoRedbirds.com. It will also be broadcast on WIVY-96.3 FM in Morehead, MSUEagles.com (computers) and m.Morehead.EZStream.com (mobile devices) with Chuck Mraz calling all the action.
Releases and pre-game information:
MOREHEAD STATE | ILLINOIS STATE | OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE | CBI WEB SITE |
GAME PROGRAM |
WOODS MEDIA TELECONFERENCE
Ten notes heading into the contest:
MSU'S HISTORY IN THE EVENT
Morehead State is making its second appearance in the College Basketball Invitational, which began in 2008. The Eagles defeated Colorado State at home in the third edition of the event in 2010, before losing to Boston University on the road.
OVC AND NCAA HISTORY
Morehead State has won 13 Ohio Valley Conference championships, including nine regular-season crowns (last in 2003) and four tournament titles (last in 2011). MSU has also made has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances (last in 2011).
POSTSEASON RUNS
Morehead State is making its ninth postseason appearance. The Eagles have advanced beyond the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament in four of the past six seasons.
20 WINS = ELITE COMPANY
Morehead State (20-13 record) has reached the 20-win plateau four times in the past six seasons. The Eagles had previously secured 20 victories just twice in 79 campaigns.
A PROGRAM ON THE RISE
Morehead State has registered 20 wins (20-13 record) this season. The Eagles posted just 15 in 2012-13 (15-18 record) and 18 in 2011-12 (18-15 record). MSU also enters the postseason with a 9-6 road record, which ranks No. 1 in the Ohio Valley Conference.
AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
Morehead State ranks in the top 30 nationally for rebounding margin (6th/351, +8.1), free-throw attempts (6th, 29.4), made free throws (7th, 20.6), offensive rebounds (T-10th, 14.2), steals (T-18th, 8.00) and total boards (T-27th, 38.5).
CALL HIM "MR. CONSISTENCY"
Junior Angelo Warner ranks sixth in the Ohio Valley Conference with 17.6 points per tilt. The guard owns 59 career efforts of 10+ points (in 97 games), including 30 this year. He also has 10 performances this season of 20+ points, which pushes his career total to 12.
THE 6-FOOT-11 GLASS CLEANER
Senior Chad Posthumus ranks third in the nation with 11.0 total rebounds per game. The center owns 26 career efforts of 10+ boards (in 66 games), including 20 this year. He also has 10 double-doubles this season, which pushes his career total to 12.
JOINING THE 1,000-POINT CLUB
Angelo Warner, who has recorded 1,119 points in 97 career games, is the 30th individual to score 1,000 points in a Morehead State uniform (85 seasons). Senior Drew Kelly, who has collected 1,010 points in 122 career contests, is the club's 31st member.
HOPING TO EXTEND OUR CAREERS
Drew Kelly and Chad Posthumus are the two seniors on this year's active roster. Kelly has tallied 1,010 points (8.3 pg) and 518 rebounds (4.2 pg) in 122 contests at Morehead State. Posthumus has recorded 570 points (8.6 pg) and 588 rebounds (8.9 pg) in 66 affairs as an Eagle. The duo has combined for 652 points and 508 boards in 2013-14.
