<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2HF0M9_0vkrKafz00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2HF0M9_0vkrKafz00" width="1662" height="1247" ><figcaption>Illinois State men's basketball huddled up after their first official practice of the 2024-25 season. JOEY LEMASTER | Sports Editor | @tmlemaster</figcaption></figure>Illinois State men's basketball team had their first 2024-25 season practice on Wednesday morning. Along with running multiple drills, coaches and players gave insight into the work that happened during the off-season and what the Redbird faithful can expect this upcoming season. “We had a good first practice. I’m excited about this team for a lot of reasons. I love our skill, basketball IQ, and ability to space the floor. I think that is different about this team. I love the grit and competitiveness of this team,” head coach Ryan Pedon said. One of the key players returning to the Redbird Nest for the 2024-25 season is Johnny Kinziger. The sophomore guard had a successful freshman-year campaign that earned him a Blue Ribbon Preseason All-MVC team selection. “All the preseason stuff, it’s cool to get. But honestly, it doesn’t mean much to me right now. It’s just about putting work in by myself and with the other guys,” Kinzeiger said. It is a fresh squad with brand new faces as seven new players joined the team as transfers or freshmen during the off-season. Players such as Boden Skunberg and Cameron Barnes made significant impacts during practice. During one of the earlier drills, Skunberg did not deliver a pass off the screen with the timing that coach Pedon was looking for. He delivered him a calm but deliberate message which is something he has done with all new players on his team. “I think the skill set for all coaches in this era has shifted a little bit. One thing I’m not going to do is come off of my convictions. I’m not going to coach a different way or appeal to kids 24/7 just so they’re hearing what they want to hear. That would be doing them a disservice,” Pedon said. “The best coaches and the best programs are able to bring in the best talent and shorten the team-building process. Who can connect to deliver compared to everybody else? I need to be very intentional in describing what they look to our new guys without overcomplicating it,” Pedon continued.”Even though new players were brought in this off-season, ISU lost a significant amount of talent; specifically at the forward and center positions. Chase Walker is looking to take a massive leap this season. The sophomore held great success in this practice, scoring multiple buckets on Brandon Lieb in the post. Walker also had a tremendous off-season in changing his physique. The big man lost 15 pounds while becoming more muscular. “Walker has completely transformed his body. He has made major changes in his life and his daily habits are high level. The results are showing,” Pedon said. “I’ve been doing a lot of conditioning. During the spring I would wake up in the morning, go get on the bike, go to class, work out and then work out again at night,” Walker said. It’s been 26 years since the men’s basketball team made an appearance in March Madness. But this upcoming season has a different feel to it. There is a different confidence in the air and the players and staff are breathing it in; ready to produce something special. We want to go for it all. We want to win the Missouri Valley Conference championship; the regular season and the tournament. We want to go make a run in the tournament and I fully believe we can do it. We’ve put hard work in. We’re coming for that championship. We’re coming for Bradley,” Kinzeiger said.</div></body>

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ISU men's basketball's first practice gives insight for upcoming season

Illinois State men's basketball team had their first 2024-25 season practice on Wednesday morning. Along with running multiple drills, coaches and players gave insight into the work that happened during the off-season and what the Redbird faithful can expect this upcoming season. “We had a good first practice. I’m excited...