Preview: Illinois State Redbirds at Drake Bulldogs DES MOINES, Iowa (Interstat) — A surging Illinois State team visits the Knapp Center on Monday to face a Drake squad seeking consistency as Missouri Valley Conference play intensifies. The Redbirds (10-3) enter with momentum, winners of five straight, including an 85-65 rout of Indiana State on Dec. 21. Illinois State’s balanced attack is led by guard Chase Walker, who averaged 15 points and 4 assists over the last five games. In the win over Indiana State, Walker scored 18 points with 5 rebounds and 3 assists in just 20 minutes. Drake (7-6) snapped a three-game skid with a narrow 66-65 road win at Evansville on Dec. 21. The Bulldogs have relied on the scoring of guard Jaehshon Thomas, who poured in 18 points in that victory. Thomas has been a bright spot, averaging 13.8 points per game during the same five-game stretch highlighted by a 22-point performance against Western Illinois. The matchup pits Illinois State’s efficient offense, which has scored 85 or more points in three of its last five outings, against a Drake team that has shown defensive vulnerability, allowing an average of 79 points in its six losses. Illinois State’s strong start includes notable non-conference wins over Long Beach State and Furman, with its losses coming only to Southern California, Utah State, and a surprising early defeat to SIU Edwardsville. Drake’s season has been marked by narrow defeats, including a 94-99 loss to North Dakota State and a 69-74 loss to UAB, both at home. Monday’s contest is the conference opener for both teams. The Redbirds will look to establish an early road advantage in the Valley race, while the Bulldogs aim to protect their home court and build on their last-second win at Evansville. The teams will meet again in Normal, Illinois, on Feb. 6.