2020–21 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball team#Schedule and results
{{short description|American college basketball season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
|year=2020–21
|team=Illinois State Redbirds
|sport=Basketball
|image=Illinois State Redbirds Wordmark.png
|image_size=175
|conference=Missouri Valley Conference
|division=
|short_conf=MVC
|CoachRank=
|APRank=
|record=7–18
|conf_record=4–14
|head_coach=Dan Muller
|hc_year=9th
|assoc_coach=Brian Jones
|asst_coach1=Brian Reese
|asst_coach2=Marcus Belcher
|stadium=Doug Collins Court
at Redbird Arena
|champion=
|tourney=
|tourney_result=
}}
{{2020–21 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball standings}}
The 2020–21 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball team represented Illinois State University during the 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Redbirds, led by ninth-year head coach Dan Muller, played their home games at Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena in Normal, Illinois as members of the Missouri Valley Conference. In a season limited due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, they finished the season 7–18, 4–14 in MVC play to finish in 10th place. In the MVC tournament, they lost to Northern Iowa in the first round.
Previous season
The Redbirds finished the 2019–20 season 10–21, 5–13 in MVC play to finish in ninth place. In the MVC tournament, they lost to Drake in the first round.
Offseason
=Departures=
| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
! Name !! # !! Pos. !! Height !! Weight !! Year !! Hometown !! class="unstable" | Comment | |||||||
| Jaycee Hillsman | 25 | G | 6'6" | 230 | RS Senior | Champaign, IL | Graduation |
| Zach Copeland | 2 | G | 6'4" | 195 | Senior | Oakland, CA | Graduation |
| Ricky Torres | 3 | G | 6'2" | 180 | Senior | Pinellas Park, FL | Graduation |
| Matt Chastain | 22 | G | 6'6" | 210 | RS Junior | LeRoy, IL | Retired due to injury |
| Lijah Donnelly | 15 | G | 6'2" | 170 | RS Junior | Bloomington, IL | Lincoln College |
| Keith Fisher III | 5 | F | 6'8" | 220 | RS Junior | Los Angeles, CA | Opted out due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| Taylor Bruninga | 32 | F | 6'8" | 210 | RS Sophomore | Mapleton, IL | Retired due to injury |
| Rey Idowu | 13 | F | 6'9" | 240 | Sophomore | Melbourne, FL | Tulsa |
= 2020 recruiting class =
{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2020}}
{{College Athlete Recruit Entry
| recruit = Alston Andrews
| position = F
| hometown = Detroit, MI
| highschool = Ocoee High School
| feet = 6
| inches = 9
| weight = 220
| 40 =
| commitdate = 11/18/2019
| scout stars = 0
| rivals stars = 0
| 247 stars = 0
| espn grade = NR
}}
{{College Athlete Recruit Entry
| recruit = Howard Fleming Jr.
| position = G
| hometown = Louisville, KY
| highschool = Male High School
| feet = 6
| inches = 5
| weight = 190
| 40 =
| commitdate = 11/20/2019
| scout stars = 0
| rivals stars = 0
| 247 stars = 0
| espn grade = NR
}}
{{College Athlete Recruit Entry
| recruit = Emon Washington
| position = G
| hometown = Atlanta, GA
| highschool = South Cobb High School
| feet = 6
| inches = 6
| weight = 175
| 40 =
| commitdate = 11/13/2019
| scout stars = 0
| rivals stars = 0
| 247 stars = 0
| espn grade = NR
}}
{{College Athlete Recruit End
| 40 =
| year = 2020
| espn ref title = 2020 Illinois State Signees
| rivals ref title = 2020 Illinois State Signees
| scout ref title = 2020 Illinois State Signees
| espn schoolid =
| rivals school =
| scout s =
| accessdate =
| bball = yes
}}
=Incoming transfers=
| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
! Name !! Pos. !! Height !! Weight !! Year !! Hometown !! class="unsortable" | Prior school | ||||||
| Sy Chatman | F | 6'8" | 220 | Junior | Minneapolis, MN | UMass |
| Dusan Mahorcic | F | 6'10" | 240 | Junior | Belgrade, Serbia | Moberly Area Community College |
| Josiah Strong | G | 6'3" | 195 | Junior | Brooklyn Park, MN | Iowa Western Community College |
| Alex Kotov | F | 6'10" | 220 | Sophomore | Moscow, Russia | Daytona State College |
Roster
{{CBB roster/Header|year=2020|team=Illinois State Redbirds|teamcolors=y|high_school=yes}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=DJ|last=Horne|link=y|num=0|pos=G|ft=6|in=1|lbs=175|class=so|rs=|home=Raleigh, NC|high_school=Trinity Academy}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Dedric|last=Boyd|num=1|pos=G|ft=6|in=4|lbs=195|class=jr|rs=y|home=Brownsville, TN|high_school=Haywood High School
Eastern Kentucky}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Josiah|last=Strong|num=2|pos=G|ft=6|in=3|lbs=195|class=jr|rs=|home=Brooklyn Park, MN|high_school=Champlin Park High School
Navy
Iowa Western Community College}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Howard|last=Fleming Jr.|num=3|pos=G|ft=6|in=5|lbs=195|class=fr|rs=|home=Louisville, KY|high_school=Male High School}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Abdou|last=Ndiaye|num=4|pos=F|ft=6|in=9|lbs=195|class=so|rs=y|home=Louga, Senegal|high_school=The Nation Christian Academy}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Emon|last=Washington|num=10|pos=G|ft=6|in=6|lbs=190|class=fr|rs=|home=Atlanta, GA|high_school=South Cobb High School}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Alston|last=Andrews|num=11|pos=F|ft=6|in=9|lbs=230|class=fr|rs=|home=Detroit, MI|high_school=Ocoee High School}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Antonio|last=Reeves|link=y|num=12|pos=G|ft=6|in=5|lbs=185|class=so|rs=|home=Chicago, IL|high_school=Simeon Career Academy}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Nik|last=Stadelman|num=14|pos=G|ft=6|in=0|lbs=180|class=fr|rs=|home=Rockford, IL|high_school=Guilford High School|note=W}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Dusan|last=Mahorcic|num=21|pos=F|ft=6|in=10|lbs=240|class=jr|rs=|home=Belgrade, Serbia|high_school=Notre Dame College Prep
Lewis
Moberly Area Community College}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Harouna|last=Sissoko|num=23|pos=F|ft=6|in=7|lbs=215|class=fr|rs=y|home=Kayes, Mali|high_school=Grand View Christian School}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Jayden|last=Johnson|num=24|pos=G|ft=6|in=6|lbs=205|class=fr|rs=|home=Batavia, IL|high_school=Batavia High School|note=W}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Alex|last=Kotov|num=25|pos=F|ft=6|in=10|lbs=220|class=so|rs=|home=Moscow, Russia|high_school=Montverde Academy
Palm Beach State College
Daytona State College}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Sy|last=Chatman|num=30|pos=F|ft=6|in=8|lbs=220|class=jr|rs=|home=Minneapolis, MN|high_school=Cretin-Derham High School
Massachusetts|note=L}}
{{CBB roster/Player|first=Malcolm|last=Miller|num=34|pos=G|ft=6|in=4|lbs=210|class=fr|rs=y|inj=y|home=Shelbyville, IL|high_school=Shelbyville High School|note=W}}
{{CBB roster/Footer
|head_coach=
- Dan Muller ({{college|Illinois State}})
|asst_coach=
- Brian Jones ({{college|Northern Iowa}})
- Brian Reese ({{college|North Carolina}})
- Marcus Belcher ({{college|Southern Illinois}})
|roster_url=https://goredbirds.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/2020-21
|accessdate=March 24, 2021
}}
NOTE: (L) indicates left team in-season
Schedule and results
{{CBB schedule start|gamehighs=yes|attend=yes}}
|-
!colspan=9 style={{NCAA color cell|Illinois State Redbirds}}|Non-Conference Regular Season
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = November 25, 2020
| time = 1:00 pm
| gamename = Columbus Multi-Team Event
| nonconf = yes
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Ohio State
| opprank = 23
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Value City Arena
| site_cityst = Columbus, OH
| tv = ESPN
| score = 67–94
| overtime =
| highassister = Fleming Jr.
| assists = 7
| highrebounder = Reeves
| rebounds = 7
| highscorer = Reeves
| points = 17
| attend = 0
| record = 0–1
| conference =
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = November 28, 2020
| time = 12:00 pm
| gamename = Columbus Multi-Team Event
| nonconf = yes
| away =
| neutral = yes
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = UMass Lowell
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Covelli Center
| site_cityst = Columbus, OH
| tv =
| score = 82–72
| overtime =
| highassister = 3 tied
| assists = 2
| highrebounder = Sissoko
| rebounds = 10
| highscorer = Strong
| points = 21
| attend = 0
| record = 1–1
| conference =
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 2, 2020
| time = 5:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf = yes
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Greenville
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Redbird Arena
| site_cityst = Normal, IL
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 177–108
| overtime =
| highassister = Strong
| assists = 11
| highrebounder = 3 tied
| rebounds = 7
| highscorer = Washington
| points = 30
| attend = 0
| record = 2–1
| conference =
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 5, 2020
| time = 5:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf = yes
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Murray State
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = CFSB Center
| site_cityst = Murray, KY
| tv = ESPN+
| score = 65–76
| overtime =
| highassister = Strong
| assists = 5
| highrebounder = Mahorcic
| rebounds = 9
| highscorer = Reeves
| points = 16
| attend = 1,290
| record = 2–2
| conference =
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 12, 2020
| time = 6:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf = yes
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Ball State
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = John E. Worthen Arena
| site_cityst = Muncie, IN
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 66–82
| overtime =
| highassister = Strong
| assists = 4
| highrebounder = Mahorcic
| rebounds = 13
| highscorer = Boyd
| points = 15
| attend = 107
| record = 2–3
| conference =
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 15, 2020
| time = 2:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf = yes
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Chicago State
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Redbird Arena
| site_cityst = Normal, IL
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 91–62
| overtime =
| highassister = Strong
| assists = 6
| highrebounder = Fleming Jr.
| rebounds = 9
| highscorer = Horne
| points = 22
| attend = 0
| record = 3–3
| conference =
}}
|-
!colspan=9 style={{NCAA color cell|Illinois State Redbirds}}|Missouri Valley Conference Regular Season
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 27, 2020
| time = 3:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Loyola-Chicago
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Joseph J. Gentile Arena
| site_cityst = Chicago, IL
| tv = (FSIN/FSKC/FSMW/NBCSCH)
| score = 60–90
| overtime =
| highassister = 3 tied
| assists = 2
| highrebounder = Mahorcic
| rebounds = 8
| highscorer = Horne
| points = 18
| attend = 0
| record = 3–4
| conference = 0–1
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = December 28, 2020
| time = 6:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Loyola-Chicago
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Joseph J. Gentile Arena
| site_cityst = Chicago, IL
| tv = CBSSN
| score = 55-86
| overtime =
| highassister = 4 tied
| assists = 3
| highrebounder = Horne
| rebounds = 6
| highscorer = Strong
| points = 21
| attend = 0
| record = 3–5
| conference = 0–2
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 2, 2021
| time = 4:30 pm
| opponent = Valparaiso
| site_stadium = Redbird Arena
| site_cityst = Normal, IL
| tv =
| status = p
| score = postponed due to COVID-19 issues at Valparaiso;{{cite web|url=https://www.valpoathletics.com/mbasketball/news/2020-21/20052/valpo-mens-basketball-pauses-team-activities/|title=Valpo Men’s Basketball Pauses Team Activities|author=|date=December 22, 2020|website=www.valpoathletics.com|publisher=Valparaiso Athletics|access-date=December 23, 2020|quote=}} rescheduled for January 23, 2021{{cite web|url=https://www.mvc-sports.com/news/2021/1/7/mens-basketball-mvc-announces-basketball-rescheduling-schedule-shifts.aspx|title=MVC ANNOUNCES BASKETBALL RESCHEDULING / SCHEDULE SHIFTS|author=|date=January 7, 2021|website=www.mvc-sports.com|publisher=Missouri Valley Conference|access-date=January 8, 2021|quote=}}
| overtime =
| highassister =
| assists =
| highrebounder =
| rebounds =
| highscorer =
| points =
| attend =
| record = 0–0
| conference =
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 3, 2021
| time = 4:30 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Valparaiso
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Redbird Arena
| site_cityst = Normal, IL
| tv =
| status = p
| score = postponed due to COVID-19 issues at Valparaiso; rescheduled for January 24, 2021
| overtime =
| highassister =
| assists =
| highrebounder =
| rebounds =
| highscorer =
| points =
| attend =
| record = 0–0
| conference =
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 9, 2021
| time = 1:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Evansville
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Ford Center
| site_cityst = Evansville, IN
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 48-57
| overtime =
| highassister = tied
| assists = 2
| highrebounder = Mahorcic
| rebounds = 11
| highscorer = Reeves
| points = 11
| attend = 0
| record = 3–6
| conference = 0–3
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 10, 2021
| time = 1:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Evansville
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Ford Center
| site_cityst = Evansville, IN
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 73–68
| overtime =
| highassister = tied
| assists = 2
| highrebounder = Sissoko
| rebounds = 9
| highscorer = Reeves
| points = 21
| attend = 0
| record = 4–6
| conference = 1–3
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 16, 2021
| time = 3:00 pm
| opponent = Indiana State
| site_stadium = Redbird Arena
| site_cityst = Normal, IL
| tv = MVC-TV
| score = 65–73
| overtime =
| highassister = Horne
| assists = 5
| highrebounder = Mahorcic
| rebounds = 9
| highscorer = Horne
| points = 16
| attend = 0
| record = 4–7
| conference = 1–4
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 17, 2021
| time = 3:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Indiana State
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Redbird Arena
| site_cityst = Normal, IL
| tv = Marquee
| score = 68–74
| overtime =
| highassister = Strong
| assists = 4
| highrebounder = Mahorcic
| rebounds = 11
| highscorer = Boyd
| points = 19
| attend = 0
| record = 4–8
| conference = 1–5
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 20, 2021
| time = 8:00 pm
| gamename = I–74 Rivalry
(site swap with
February 17, 2021 game)
| nonconf =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Bradley
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Redbird Arena
| site_cityst = Normal, IL
| tv = Marquee
| score = 71–56
| overtime =
| highassister = Fleming Jr.
| assists = 4
| highrebounder = Mahorcic
| rebounds = 9
| highscorer = Horne
| points = 23
| attend = 0
| record = 5–8
| conference = 2–5
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 23, 2021
| time = 5:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Valparaiso
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Redbird Arena
| site_cityst = Normal, IL
| tv = Marquee
| score = 60–69
| overtime =
| highassister = Fleming Jr.
| assists = 4
| highrebounder = Fleming Jr.
| rebounds = 10
| highscorer = Horne
| points = 19
| attend = 0
| record = 5–9
| conference = 2–6
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 24, 2021
| time = 5:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Valparaiso
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Redbird Arena
| site_cityst = Normal, IL
| tv = Marquee
| score = 66–70
| overtime =
| highassister = tied
| assists = 3
| highrebounder = tied
| rebounds = 6
| highscorer = Horne
| points = 20
| attend = 0
| record = 5–10
| conference = 2–7
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = January 31, 2021
| time = 2:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Drake
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = The Knapp Center
| site_cityst = Des Moines, IA
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 76–78
| overtime = OT
| highassister = tied
| assists = 4
| highrebounder = Horne
| rebounds = 7
| highscorer = Reeves
| points = 27
| attend = 947
| record = 5–11
| conference = 2–8
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 1, 2021
| time = 6:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Drake
| opprank = 25
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = The Knapp Center
| site_cityst = Des Moines, IA
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 60–95
| overtime =
| highassister = Fleming Jr.
| assists = 3
| highrebounder = Ndiaye
| rebounds = 7
| highscorer = Reeves
| points = 20
| attend = 737
| record = 5–12
| conference = 2–9
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 6, 2021
| time = 2:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Missouri State
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Redbird Arena
| site_cityst = Normal, IL
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 67–74
| overtime =
| highassister = Horne
| assists = 3
| highrebounder = Mahorcic
| rebounds = 8
| highscorer = Horne
| points = 23
| attend = 0
| record = 5–13
| conference = 2–10
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 7, 2021
| time = 2:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Missouri State
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Redbird Arena
| site_cityst = Normal, IL
| tv = Marquee
| score = 62–72
| overtime =
| highassister = Fleming Jr.
| assists = 3
| highrebounder = Mahorcic
| rebounds = 15
| highscorer = Horne
| points = 18
| attend = 0
| record = 5–14
| conference = 2–11
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 13, 2021
| time = 3:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Southern Illinois
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Banterra Center
| site_cityst = Carbondale, IL
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 80–55
| overtime =
| highassister = Fleming Jr.
| assists = 6
| highrebounder = Washington
| rebounds = 10
| highscorer = Horne
| points = 17
| attend = 0
| record = 6–14
| conference = 3–11
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 14, 2021
| time = 3:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Southern Illinois
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Banterra Center
| site_cityst = Carbondale, IL
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 49–59
| overtime =
| highassister = Horne
| assists = 3
| highrebounder = Fleming Jr.
| rebounds = 8
| highscorer = Strong
| points = 14
| attend = 0
| record = 6–15
| conference = 3–12
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 17, 2021
| time = 7:00 pm
| nonconf =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Bradley
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Carver Arena
| site_cityst = Peoria, IL
| tv = ESPN3
| status = p
| score = rescheduled for February 18, 2021 due to scheduling issues{{cite web|url=https://mvc-sports.com/news/2021/2/13/mens-basketball-bradley-illinois-state-contest-moved-to-thursday-feb-18.aspx|title=BRADLEY-ILLINOIS STATE CONTEST MOVED TO THURSDAY (FEB. 18)|author=|date=February 13, 2021|website=www.mvc-sports.com|publisher=Missouri Valley Conference|access-date=February 14, 2021|quote=}}{{cite web|url=https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/college/basketball/bradley-hoops/2021/02/13/ncaa-bradley-basketball-game-illinois-state-moved-fans-allowed/4476892001/|title=Bradley basketball rematch with Illinois State moved, player families allowed at final 3 games|author=Dave Eminian|date=February 13, 2021|website=www.pjstar.com|publisher=Peoria Journal Star|access-date=February 14, 2021|quote=}}
| overtime =
| highassister =
| assists =
| highrebounder =
| rebounds =
| highscorer =
| points =
| attend =
| record = 0–0
| conference =
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 18, 2021
| time = 6:00 pm
| gamename = I-74 Rivalry
| nonconf =
| away = yes
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Bradley
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Carver Arena
| site_cityst = Peoria, IL
| tv = ESPN3
| score = 88–71
| overtime =
| highassister = Fleming Jr.
| assists = 5
| highrebounder = Washington
| rebounds = 8
| highscorer = Washington
| points = 20
| attend = 0
| record = 7–15
| conference = 4–12
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 26, 2021
| time = 8:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Northern Iowa
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Redbird Arena
| site_cityst = Normal, IL
| tv = ESPNU
| score = 56–70
| overtime =
| highassister = Fleming Jr.
| assists = 4
| highrebounder = Mahorcic
| rebounds = 8
| highscorer = Mahorcic
| points = 18
| attend = 0
| record = 7–16
| conference = 4–13
}}
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = February 27, 2021
| time = 5:00 pm
| gamename =
| nonconf =
| away =
| neutral =
| rank =
| seed =
| opponent = Northern Iowa
| opprank =
| oppseed =
| site_stadium = Redbird Arena
| site_cityst = Normal, IL
| tv = CBSSN
| score = 87–94
| overtime = 2OT
| highassister = Horne
| assists = 5
| highrebounder = Mahorcic
| rebounds = 9
| highscorer = Horne
| points = 34
| attend = 0
| record = 7–17
| conference = 4–14
}}
|-
!colspan=9 style={{NCAA color cell|Illinois State Redbirds}}|2021 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament
{{CBB schedule entry
| date = March 4, 2021
| time = 8:08 pm
| gamename = Opening Round
| nonconf = yes
| away =
| neutral = yes
| rank =
| seed = 10
| opponent = Northern Iowa
| opprank =
| oppseed = 7
| site_stadium = Enterprise Center
| site_cityst = St. Louis, MO
| tv = MVC-TV
| score = 60–65
| overtime =
| highassister = Horne
| assists = 4
| highrebounder = 3 tied
| rebounds = 7
| highscorer = Mahorcic
| points = 15
| attend = 663
| record = 7–18
| conference =
}}
{{CBB schedule end|poll=AP Poll|rank=|region=|regionname=|timezone=Central Time}}
NOTE: limited capacity or no spectators allowed per the corresponding local COVID-19 health guidelines.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2020-21 Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball team}}
Category:Illinois State Redbirds men's basketball seasons